Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 |dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov
More than 730,000 have taken advantage of this service this year
PARA DIFUSIÓN INMEDIATA
December 28, 2023
Sacramento – The days of taking the driver’s license knowledge test with paper and pencil while sitting in a crowded California Department of Motor Vehicles office now belong to the dust bin of history. Since scrapping the paper test about a decade ago, Californians now test their knowledge of the rules of the road on touchscreen modules at DMV offices and, as of last year, can also do so from the comfort of their own home. And for the test-adverse, there even is a no-fail option!
The new remote testing options are becoming increasingly popular. This year, Californians applying for a driver’s license or renewing a license with a testing requirement have taken more than 537,000 online tests and nearly 200,000 no-fail eLearning courses. This represents an average of nearly 45,000 online exams and 18,000 no-fail eLearning course each month, saving time for thousands of California drivers who must also visit a DMV office.
“The no-fail eLearning course and online knowledge exam are examples of how the DMV is providing convenient service to customers when and where they want,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “As we continue our path to a digital-first organization, the DMV is committed to reducing the number of transactions requiring an office visit. This reduces time spent in an office both waiting and taking care of business, when an office visit is needed.”
The move to online testing and the no-fail eLearning course are examples of the DMV’s digital transformation under the Newsom Administration and Director Gordon’s leadership. The DMV has more than doubled the number of services available online (from 20 in 2019 to 48 today), cut transaction times by two-thirds, removed obstacles so staff can process transactions more quickly, and empowered customers with the tools they need for a smooth experience if they do visit an office – where wait times are now just a fraction of what they were just a few years ago.
Introduced in 2022, the online exam option was initially available for eligible Californians over 18 years old. In September 2023, the DMV expanded eligibility to Californians under 18 years old who need a driver’s license and individuals moving to California from out of state who need to take a driver’s license knowledge test.
Online Knowledge Exam
La prueba en línea se ofrece en 35 idiomas a los clientes que tienen una computadora con acceso a internet o una computadora portátil con cámara web. Está disponible entre las 8 a.m. y las 4 p.m. de lunes a viernes, excepto días feriados estatales. La prueba no se puede realizar en una tableta o dispositivo móvil.
As a fraud-prevention measure, online test participants are required to verify their identity and agree to be monitored throughout the exam.
The test can be attempted online twice. Customers who fail both attempts will be prompted to go to a DMV office to take the test a third time. All questions come from the California Driver’s Handbook and are from the same pool whether taken online or at a DMV office.
Curso interactivo No-Fail eLearning Course
Instead of a remote version of the traditional knowledge test, customers renewing their driver’s license with a knowledge test requirement can choose to take an interactive eLearning course with seven interactive modules featuring educational videos that reinforce the rules of the road to improve driver safety, including short quizzes after each module. If you don’t pass the quiz, simply go through the module another time and try again.
The self-paced eLearning course can be taken on a computer, laptop, tablet or mobile device and is available 24/7. It is currently only offered in English and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. This is an ideal option for people who have trouble with exams or prefer an alternative learning method.
After completing the no-fail eLearning course or online exam, customers may still need to visit a DMV office to provide required identity and residency documents, take a photo, provide a thumbprint, complete a vision screening and be issued a licensing document. However, by completing the course online, customers can greatly reduce the time to complete the remaining requirements at a DMV office.
Recuerde, la mayoría de las transacciones del DMV se pueden completar sin tener que visitar una oficina utilizando los servicios en línea del DMV.
###
Regístrate para recibir alertas de noticias del DMV: DMV NEWS ALERTS - California DMV
Google™ Translate Disclaimer
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website uses Google™ Translate to provide automatic translation of its web pages. This translation application tool is provided for purposes of information and convenience only. Google™ Translate is a free third-party service, which is not controlled by the DMV. The DMV is unable to guarantee the accuracy of any translation provided by Google™ Translate and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information or changes in the formatting of the pages resulting from the use of the translation application tool.
The web pages currently in English on the DMV website are the official and accurate source for the program information and services the DMV provides. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes. If any questions arise related to the information contained in the translated website, please refer to the English version.
The following pages provided on the DMV website cannot be translated using Google™ Translate:
- Forms
- Publications
- Field Office Locations
- Online Applications
