A Car for Your First Month After Moving to Los Angeles: 2026 Guide
Updated October 30, 2026 · By Yaniv Segal, RentCarUSA
In short: In your first months after moving to Los Angeles, you do not yet have a California driver's license or a US credit history, and sometimes not even a Social Security Number (SSN). Without these, it is hard to buy a car, lease one or insure one at a reasonable price. The common solution is a long-term rental based on your passport, your home-country driver's license and a credit card, while you complete the paperwork at the DMV, the bank and the Social Security office.
Why can't you simply buy a car in the first week?
In Los Angeles, a car is not a luxury. Neighborhoods such as Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica and Downtown are 20–30 kilometers (about 12–19 miles) apart, and public transportation does not cover most of a family's daily trips. But buying or leasing a car requires three things that most newcomers do not have in their first month:
- A credit history (credit score). Without a history, car leases and car loans are rejected, or they come with a high interest rate and a large down payment.
- US car insurance. Many insurance companies charge very high prices to a driver with no US driving history, and some require a California license before they will insure you at all.
- A California driver's license. Under California state rules, a person who becomes a resident must get a California license within 10 days, and for holders of a foreign license the process includes a knowledge (written) test and a driving test.
Each of these steps takes time, so most families need a transportation solution for at least one or two months.
What do you need to arrange, and in what order?
The order matters, because each step opens the next one. This is a typical path, and it changes depending on your visa type:
| Week | Task | What you need | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pick up a car at LAX | Passport, valid home-country driver's license, physical credit card in the driver's name | Lets you look for an apartment and get to meetings from the first day |
| 1–2 | Bank account | Passport, visa, address (sometimes a letter from your employer) | Needed for rent, salary and bills |
| 2 | Apply for an SSN at the Social Security office | Passport, visa, I‑94, work documents | Eligibility depends on visa type; it is sometimes recommended to wait a few days after landing |
| 2–3 | Lease for an apartment | Proof of income; sometimes a larger deposit when there is no credit score | Gives you an address to use as proof of residence at the DMV |
| 3–6 | California driver's license | Identity, SSN (or an exemption document), proof of residence, knowledge test and driving test | Appointments for the driving test can take weeks |
| 4 and later | US credit card | SSN, bank account | Usually you start with a secured card or a basic card |
| 6 and later | Buy or lease a car, and insure it | California license, credit, insurance quotes | Now you can return the rental car |
What does the California DMV require from a new resident with a foreign license?
A tourist may drive in California with a valid foreign license. A new resident, however, must switch to a California license soon after becoming a resident. Residency includes things such as working in the state, enrolling children in school or signing a permanent lease. If you are not sure exactly when this applies to you, check with the DMV or with an immigration lawyer, and in the meantime start the process early.
According to the DMV website, a person who holds a license from another country goes through the same steps as a person moving from another US state, plus a practical driving test:
- Make an appointment on the DMV website. Driving tests are given by appointment only.
- Fill out the application and bring documents: proof of identity (for example, a passport with a visa), your SSN if you have one, and proof of California residence.
- Complete a vision test, a thumbprint and a photo.
- Pass the knowledge test. You have three attempts for each test. Study the California Driver's Handbook, because some rules may not exist in your home country.
- Pass the driving test. A foreign license holder must come with a licensed accompanying driver and show car insurance that meets California requirements. If you plan to take the test in a rental car, check in advance with the DMV and with the rental company that this is possible.
- Receive a temporary license. The permanent card arrives by mail.
Differences in traffic rules, such as turning right on a red light and carpool lanes, are explained in our guide to driving in Los Angeles for visitors. It is also useful when you prepare for the knowledge test.
Which car should you take for the first month?
The first month after a move is different from a vacation. You carry suitcases, buy furniture at IKEA in Burbank, drive to see apartments in different neighborhoods and visit schools. Some simple rules:
- Couples or single people: a family sedan such as the Kia K4 ($858 for 26 days) or a small SUV such as the Chevrolet Trax ($936) is usually enough.
- A family with two children: a midsize SUV such as the Nissan Rogue ($962) has room for a stroller and large shopping trips.
- A family with three or more children, or when grandparents come to help: a 7-seat Chrysler Pacifica minivan ($1,144). The sliding doors are very convenient in crowded school parking lots. See also Minivan or SUV for a family.
All prices include damage coverage for the car, third-party liability up to $300,000, all taxes and fees, and unlimited miles. This matters when you relocate: in a month of apartment hunting you drive much more than you expect. Our guide How many miles do you drive in a month in Los Angeles gives a realistic estimate.
How do you know when to return the rental car?
The right moment is when you have three things in hand: a California license, an insurance quote that fits your budget, and a permanent car that has actually been delivered. Delivery of a car from a dealer can be delayed, and a private sale requires an inspection at a mechanic and a transfer of ownership. So plan an overlap of a few days, and do not return the rental car before the permanent car is in your parking space.
Our rentals start from 3 weeks and are priced by the week, so you can extend as needed. Send us your updated dates and we will reply with an exact quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car without an SSN and without a US credit card?
Yes. With us, you need a passport, a valid home-country driver's license and a physical credit card issued in your home country in the driver's name. You do not need an SSN or a US credit history. If your license is not in the Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended together with it.
Can my spouse or partner drive too?
Yes, if they are listed on the contract as an additional driver. In California, a spouse is exempt by law from the additional driver fee. Details are in our additional driver guide.
How long does it take to get a California license?
It depends on the availability of DMV appointments in your area and on passing the tests. For many people it takes a few weeks, so it is a good idea to book an appointment in your first weeks.
What if we do not yet know how long we will need a car?
Start with 3–4 weeks and update us when the picture becomes clearer. The rental is priced by the week, and you will always receive an exact quote before an extension.
Moving to Los Angeles? Get a quote for your first month, or find the right car with Which car fits you?. General guide: Monthly car rental in Los Angeles.