If you are over 18, and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in California without getting a California driver's license. If you plan to drive in California while you are in residence at the Getty, we suggest you please print out this PDF document and keep it with you when you drive.

However, you may need a California driver's license to get automobile insurance or register a vehicle. Any J immigrant may apply for a driver's license as long as he or she is in lawful status and presents the necessary supporting documents required to verify legal presence in the United States. If you do intend to apply for a license, wait a minimum of 10 calendar days from your date of entry into the U.S. Please note that in order to apply for a California driver license you will need to present your Social Security Number (SSN). For information on how to apply for a SSN click here.

Note: a California driver's license or a California I.D. card act as the state's standard picture identification card. It is frequently requested in shops to prove your identity when making credit card purchases, or to prove you are 21 or over when entering a bar.

Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV, www.dmv.ca.gov) for further information on California driver’s licenses.

The DMV issues state ID cards to those who qualify. These cards are valid for 6 years. For a list of requirements, please click here.

Be aware of these important rules for driving in California:

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• Seatbelts are required at all times.
• Every child under 4'9" must have a properly installed car seat.
• Motorcyclists must wear helmets.
• Speed limits and traffic rules are strictly enforced. If there are no signs posted, the maximum speed is 25 miles per hour (mph) in business and residential districts, 35 mph on major city streets, 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways streets and 65 mph on freeways.
• Except where indicated, turning right at a red light after coming to a complete stop is permitted in California, so long as you do not impede intersecting traffic which has right-of-way.
• At four-way stop signs, cars proceed in the order in which they arrived. If cars stop at the same time, the car on the right has the right of way.
• Pedestrians always have the right of way.
• Pull to the right and stop if emergency vehicles approach from either direction.
• Drunk-driving laws are strictly enforced, and open containers of alcoholic beverages are not permitted in vehicles.
• Talking on a cell phone while driving is legal, but not advisable.
• Fines of up to $1,000 are imposed for throwing trash from a vehicle.

Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV, www.dmv.ca.gov) for further information on California driving regulations.

If you are coming from abroad and plan to buy or lease a car, it is recommended that you bring a copy of your previous auto insurance history, translated into English if applicable.

There are three types of automobile insurance: liability, collision, and personal accident.

Liability Insurance
California law requires liability insurance for all vehicles. The minimum liability coverage required for private passenger vehicles per accident is $35,000. This includes $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person (up to $30,000 for all injuries in one accident), plus $5,000 property damage liability.

Car insurance in the U.S. can be very expensive. Having a California driver's license may help you get a lower rate. Shop around various companies for price quotes before you pick a carrier.

Collision Insurance
Collision Damage Waiver (CMV) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) insurance is optional, but highly recommended. This type of insurance insures against damage to the car itself.

Personal Accident Insurance
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) covers you and any passengers for medical costs resulting from an accident.

Check whether your home auto insurance, health insurance, or travel insurance already provides any coverage. Bring a copy of your previous auto insurance history (translated into English if applicable); this may help you get a lower insurance quote.

Insurance on Rental Cars
Car rental contracts do not automatically include liability, CMW/LDW, or PAI insurance. Your standard car insurance may cover you; check to find out before you rent. Purchase insurance at the point of rental if you are not already covered.

Car Insurance Agencies
For international drivers. Most insurance companies ask an international driver for a U.S. driver's license or they request the driving record from the home country. Based on the positive experience of past scholars and graduate interns, the following agencies are listed below as they only require a valid driver's license from one's home country.

Progressive Insurance
www.progressive.com

If you are involved in a vehicle accident in California, you must report it to the DMV if:

• there was property damage of more than $750; or
• anyone was injured (no matter how lightly); or
• anyone was killed.

You must submit a completed DMV Traffic Accident Report form SR 1/SR 1A to the DMV within 10 days of the accident even if you did not cause the accident and even if the accident occurred on private property.

What to Do After an Accident
Do the following at the time of the accident.
1) Assess your safety. Move away from traffic, smoke, leaking gas or fire.
2) Survey the situation. Identify witnesses and take pictures of the accident if possible. Get contact information (phone number, e-mail address, etc.) from witnesses.
3) Do NOT admit that it was your fault - the insurance companies will decide who is to blame.
4) Exchange information with the other driver(s), including:

• name;
• driver's license number and issuing state or country;
• name of insurance company, insurance policy number, and policy expiration date;
• license plate number and issuing state or country.

5) If the police arrive, get the officers' names and badge numbers.
6) Move the car. Drive away if the car is still drivable or arrange a tow.
7) Call your insurance company to report the accident.

In many areas of Los Angeles it is easy to find a parking space on the street. Most parking spots on streets have parking meters that take nickel, dime, and quarter coins (see Money section). Always read all posted signs that state which days or hours parking is allowed. Illegally parked vehicles are ticketed very quickly and may be towed away.

Parking is generally available in lots or garages. Prices vary widely. Many restaurants offer valet parking for $3-$5, plus an optional tip.

What Curb Colors Mean
A red curb means no parking at any time.

A green curb means parking for a limited time, usually fifteen or thirty minutes.

A white curb means loading and unloading passengers only.

A blue curb means parking for vehicles with handicap placards only.

If you are considering buying a car, check out the American Automobile Association's guide, which has tools to help you find a dealer and assess the value of a new or used car, a guide to buying versus leasing, and loan payment calculators. Another free guide to buying and selling used cars is the Web site, CarBuyingTips.com.

Previous scholars and fellows have found success in buying an automobile using the Carmax Web site and the Cars & Trucks section of Craiglist. As always, we strongly suggest you use caution when making arrangements over the Internet.

Once you have purchased a car, you will need to register it with the DMV.

Many companies offer auto rentals. Most companies will only rent to individuals over 25 years of age, and most also require a credit card to book. Here are some of the major car rental agencies in the area:

• Alamo (www.alamo.com)
• Avis (www.avis.com)
• Budget (www.budgetbeverlyhills.com)
• Dollar (www.dollar.com)
• Enterprise (www.enterprise.com)
• Hertz (www.hertz.com)
• National (www.nationalcar.com)
• Rent a Wreck (www.rentawreck.com)
  
  We provide this material for informational purposes only. The Getty does not recommend any specific car rental company.

If you only need a car occasionally, you may consider Zipcar (www.zipcar.com)

Zipcar is a membership-based car sharing company providing automobile rental to its members, billable by the hour or day.

For long road trips (or if you have an unreliable car!), you may opt for emergency roadside assistance service. The American Automobile Association (AAA) (www.aaa.com) is the main auto club provider in the U.S. Membership costs approximately $66.00 for first-time members and includes free roadside assistance. If your car breaks down or if you lock yourself out of your car, you simply call a toll-free number and a tow truck is sent to help.

AAA also offers free trip-planning advice and maps to members. There is a branch at 1900 Sepulveda Blvd., approximately 4 miles south of the Getty Center.

Many auto insurance companies now also offer free roadside assistance included in the price of the policy.

Los Angeles is a big place, and it helps to plan your route before you start out. The standard driving map is a spiral-bound book known popularly as the "Thomas Guide." Thomas Guide maps to Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties are available at most bookstores and office supply stores. Visit the Thomas Bros. Map site at www.thomas.com for more information.