Drive Sacramento

Moving here

New to Sacramento: a driver's first-month checklist

Moving to the Sacramento area means new roads, new weather and California paperwork. This checklist puts the main tasks in a sensible order and points to the official sources for each one.

Paperwork first

  1. Driver license. New residents need a California license within the time the DMV sets, which is short. Start online. See getting a California driver license.
  2. Vehicle registration. A car brought from another state needs California registration, also within a deadline set by the DMV. The DMV will inspect the vehicle identification number, and many vehicles need a smog check first. The DMV website explains which.
  3. Insurance. California requires proof of financial responsibility, usually car insurance. Tell your insurer about the move, since policies and rates depend on where the car is kept.
  4. Address change. If you already hold a California license, update your address with the DMV when you move.

Learn the roads

Spend a weekend learning the freeway network before you depend on it at rush hour. Five routes do most of the work: I-5, I-80, US 50, Highway 99 and Business 80. Read the freeways page, then drive the routes you will use most at a quiet time. Note where your exits are and which lane you need at each junction.

5

Interstate 5

I-5

North and south along the west edge of downtown, beside the Sacramento River.

  • North: the airport, Woodland and Redding
  • South: the Pocket area, west Elk Grove and Stockton

Meets: I-80 in Natomas, Highway 99 north of downtown, US 50 at the south edge of downtown

80

Interstate 80

I-80

East and west. It skirts the north side of the city instead of going through downtown.

  • West: West Sacramento, Davis and the Bay Area
  • East: Roseville, Auburn, the Sierra and Reno

Meets: US 50 in West Sacramento, I-5 in Natomas, Business 80 northeast of downtown

50

US Route 50

US 50

East from West Sacramento, across the river and along the south side of downtown.

  • West: ends at I-80 in West Sacramento
  • East: Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Placerville and South Lake Tahoe

Meets: I-80 in West Sacramento, I-5 south of downtown, Highway 99 and Business 80 east of downtown

99

State Route 99

Highway 99

North and south through the Central Valley. Through the middle of Sacramento it shares lanes with US 50 and I-5.

  • South: south Sacramento, Elk Grove, Lodi and Fresno
  • North: splits from I-5 toward Yuba City

Meets: US 50 and Business 80 east of downtown, I-5 north of downtown

BUSINESS80

Business 80

Capital City Freeway

North and east from the US 50 junction east of downtown, across the American River.

  • South and west: US 50 and Highway 99
  • North and east: rejoins I-80 northeast of the city

Meets: US 50 and Highway 99 east of downtown, I-80 northeast of the city

Get ready for the seasons

Sacramento weather changes the driving more than newcomers expect:

  • Fall and winter: the first rains make roads slippery, and tule fog can drop visibility to almost nothing on calm mornings.
  • Winter in the mountains: I-80 and US 50 climb into snow country, and chain controls are common. See trips to the mountains.
  • Summer: long hot spells test your car's cooling system, tires and battery. See summer heat.

California rules to know

  • A handheld phone is not allowed while driving. Hands-free use is allowed for adults; drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all.
  • Headlights are required when visibility is poor and when your wipers are running continuously because of weather.
  • Painted curbs carry parking rules. See the curb color table in parking downtown.
  • Carpool lanes have posted occupancy rules and hours. Read the signs before you use them.
  • When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the right and stop until it passes.

The California Driver Handbook covers all of these and more. It is worth a read even for experienced drivers from other states.

Bookmarks for your phone

Newcomer questions

Do I need a smog check?

Many vehicles need one when they are first registered in California and at regular intervals after that, but there are exceptions based on vehicle type and age. The DMV registration notice and website explain what applies to your vehicle.

Can I do everything online?

Some tasks can be started or completed online, but first-time California licenses usually need an office visit for a photo, thumbprint and vision test. The DMV site lists which services are online.