DRIVING in California

In the United States, the Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV is the official agency in charge of vehicle registration, drivers license permits and other related car issues. For your purposes, the DMV is necessary for 1- getting permission to drive in the U.S. and 2- gettting a California identity card. Both of these services are optional for you to pursue.

TO DRIVE OR PURCHASE A CAR IN THE U.S.:
You must contact the DMV about requirements. Even if you have an international license, you still need to contact them.

HOW TO GET A CA LICENSE:
You can get a CA license to drive by taking your passport, I-94 (white or green card received upon entry to the U.S.), I-20 (if you have a student visa) and paying $27.00. Written tests in English or audiocassette recording in your own language are two options for taking the driving test. After you have applied to take the test, you will need to obtain a "Letter of Denial" at one of the Social Security Administration Offices. You can find a Social Securty Administration Office near you by calling: tel. 1-800-772-1213. After you have passed the test, you will be issued a "learner's permit." You will still need to take a road test after receiving your learner's permit to get a CA license and be able to drive on your own. You can schedule a road test usually within two weeks of getting your learner's permit. Contact the DMV for details.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/newtoca/newtoca.htm

How to get to the Hillcrest DMV:

Walk to 5TH AVE at ELM ST
At 04:19 PM take the MTS BUS route 120 Fashion Valley Limited Stops
Get off the stop on 5TH AVE at UNIVERSITY AV at approximately 04:29 PM
At 04:35 PM take the MTS BUS route 10 University & College Limited Stops via University Ave
Get off the stop on UNIVERSITY AVE at RICHMOND ST at approximately 04:41 PM
walk North East to 3960 NORMAL ST