Chauffeur / Limousine Driver / California
2026 data California board official source

California Chauffeur / Limousine Driver License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Transports passengers in luxury vehicles for hire.

What the California data shows for Chauffeur / Limousine Drivers

California sets the entry bar for chauffeur / limousine drivers at 39 training hours and a passing score on Chauffeur License Exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under California's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Driver Training".

Budget $148 to get started, plus $99 at each renewal on a 4-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in California, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Not typically reciprocal.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
72/100
Chauffeur / Limousine Driver · California

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
39 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$148
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$25/yr
$99 every 4 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in California

Education / Training Hours
Driver Training
39 hours
Exam Requirement
Chauffeur License Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$148
Renewal Fee
$99
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Chauffeur / Limousine Driver All California licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with California licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Chauffeur / Limousine Driver in California? ▼
California's requirements cover 39 hours of education or training, the Chauffeur License Exam exam, and an initial fee of $148. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Chauffeur / Limousine Driver in California? ▼
To become a licensed chauffeur / limousine driver in California, you must meet the state's requirements including 39 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the California licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Chauffeur / Limousine Driver license to California from another state? ▼
Chauffeur / Limousine Driver licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Not typically reciprocal. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The California licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does California require a background check for Chauffeur / Limousine Driver licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for chauffeur / limousine driver licensing in California. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this chauffeur / limousine driver license

Chauffeur / Limousine Driver in California, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a chauffeur / limousine driver-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the California licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.