California

CDL office

California Department of Motor Vehicles
www.dmv.ca.gov

This is the agency that issues and renews your CDL and posts your medical certification to your record. After every DOT physical, confirm it shows on your motor vehicle record here within a few days.

Military CDL waiver page: California military CDL page (www.dmv.ca.gov)

State veterans department

California veterans department (www.calvet.ca.gov)

Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, state education benefits, fee waivers, veterans homes and employment preference all run through this department. If you have a rating, call them once; most drivers find at least one benefit they were not using.

Fuel tax, plates and the federal pieces

Your IFTA license and IRP plates come from your base state; the IFTA, Inc. jurisdiction list has the California office. Per diem, deductions, quarterly taxes and retirement accounts are federal and the same in every state: see Money. The medical card, Clearinghouse and hardship funds are on Health. Complaints, DataQs and broker bonds are on Your rights.

Help when money is tight in California

Start with 211: call it or use 211.org for the rent, food and utility help open in your county this week. Then, in order:

• Food: California SNAP application · hotline 877-847-3663. Self-employment income counts after expenses, so a bad quarter can qualify an owner-operator's family.
• Heat and electric: California LIHEAP line 1-866-675-6623, or the national referral line 1-866-674-6327. Ask your utility for its hardship plan at the same time.
• Health coverage: a drop in income is a qualifying event; check HealthCare.gov for Medicaid or a bigger credit any time of year.
• Veterans: California veterans financial assistance is the state program. The national funds (VFW Unmet Needs, American Legion TFA, Operation Homefront, USA Cares, the service relief societies) are on When money is tight.
• Hurt or sick and off the road: St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, within 365 days.
• Behind on the truck or the IRS: the order of operations is on When money is tight.
• If it gets dark: call or text 988, any hour. Veterans press 1.

Health insurance in California

Start at HealthCare.gov; it routes you to California's own exchange if the state runs one, with that state's deadlines. Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 in most states.