Here is a link to all the Occupational Licensing Offices in California:
Keep in mind that all Occupational Licensing Offices operate by appointment only. Most offices are closed on Wednesday and operate within specified hours depending on if they are full-time or limited-service locations.
Due to the recent software updates in October 2022, all text requests are now done online through the online DMV portal.
Each student, once done with the course, will have to register online to start the application process and initiate the appointment for DMV.
You start by going to https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/mydmv.
Click on the link to create an account.
Once prompted, you’ll enter the email that you want to use for your account.
This will prompt a confirmation link that will be emailed to you. It is important that you do that within a 10-minute time period.
The confirmation email will look like this:
This will take you to a screen where you are able to put in your information as found on your ID or driver’s license. Items like your first name, last name, phone number and allow you the opportunity to review the DMV’s Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
This will prompt a telephone confirmation that you will need to perform. You will get a one-time verification code that will be texted to you to confirm.
You will then be prompted to create a password that must be between 8–20 characters in length that has at least 4 letters, 1 number and one special character.
Once all of this is completed, you will have successfully created an account login.
Once this is completed, go to the following link to go directly to the Occupational Licensing Login:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/occupational-licensing/login/
There is a helpful quick start guide as well just in case you need further instructions.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/occupational-licensing-get-started-guide-pdf
You will then be asked to verify the user on your account and then prompted if you have a California ID/Driver’s license.
You will then be asked to input everything found on your California ID/Driver’s License.
This will get you to the main screen to proceed with all the elements necessary to initiate your test and prompt the initial processing of your application.
Click on My Applications to continue.
Select apply for new license and then select what kind of business you’re going to operate as.
The most common are:
You will then select if you’ll be selling any new vehicles. Most common item found will be trailers or snowmobiles that are outside of the traditional auto manufacturers like Ford or Toyota. This happens very rarely. If you don’t have a letter from a manufacturer, please leave these check marks blank.
You will then select the type of vehicles that you are looking to sell. Keep in mind, the DMV will require that you have the proper signage and appropriate space to store vehicles.
Example: If you are operating in a small office with two parking spaces, do not select motorhomes because the DMV will deny and delay the application because a standard parking spot isn’t large enough to hold a motorhome.
The picture below is an example of a retail dealer who has selected all the options for a small office with two parking spots.
You will then select the option to create a new business.
You will then select what the structure of your business is going to be. If you are a corporation or LLC, you will need to enter your information based on what you’ve registered with the Secretary of State.
You then need to indicate what name will be on the signs at your dealership. This can be accomplished in one of two ways:
Once you’ve indicated all the business information, the system will have you verify all the owner’s information. If you have more than one owner, each owner will have to verify their information separately. If you have officers that aren’t currently participating in the dealership but remain on the ownership structure, this will have to be outlined as well.
Once you have successfully navigated this, it will prompt you with the application checklist, formally known as the OL 248, which will outline all the information that will be necessary to finalize your application.
The initial portion that must be handled first is the dealer education course, which you are completing now. Once you’ve finalized your class, upload a copy of the certificate directly into the portal.
Upload your certificate directly into the portal to be able to schedule your test.
Here is all the information regarding the various occupational licensing offices and the test parameters.
According to dmv.ca.gov, there are currently 14 occupational licensing offices in California along with 2 designated servicing locations throughout California.
Below are the current hours at the Full-time service locations:
Covina
1365 N. Grand Avenue, Suite 102
Covina, CA 91724
(626) 974-7140
Orange
790 The City Drive South, Suite 410
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 703-2632
Fresno
2510 S East Avenue, Suite 100A
Fresno, CA 93706
(559) 445-5304
Sacramento
7226 Florin Mall Drive
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 262-2563
Los Angeles
3615 S Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(Inspector Office co-located with a full-service Field Office)
(213) 744-7563
San Bernardino
473 E. Carnegie Drive, Suite 150
San Bernardino, CA 92408
(909) 501-3175
San Diego
1455 Frazee Road, Suite 420
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 688-0124
There are also limited-service locations as well. These offices have reduced availability and inspectors, so it is always recommended to call to schedule an appointment before showing up. Many of these locations are in DMV field offices. Here are the hours for limited-service locations:
El Cerrito
6400 Manila Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(Inspector Office co-located with a full-service Field Office)
(510) 231-7818
San Francisco
1377 Fell Street 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94117
(Inspector Office co-located with a full-service Field Office)
(415) 431-6279
Fairfield
4630 Westamerica Drive, Suite H
Fairfield, CA 94534
(707) 864-4759
San Jose
90 Great Oaks, Suite 104
San Jose, CA 95119
(408) 229-7113
Hayward
150 Jackson Street
Hayward, CA 94544
(Inspector Office co-located with a full-service Field Office)
(510) 293-1720
Santa Maria
523 S. McClelland Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(Inspector Office co-located with a full-service Field Office)
(805) 346-2192
Van Nuys
6150 Van Nuys Boulevard, Suite 250
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 376-4201
