Driving in San Diego
Your complete guide to driving and renting scooters in San Diego, United States. Learn about IDP requirements, traffic rules, safety tips, and everything you need to know before hitting the road.
International Driving Permit (IDP) in San Diego
IDP Not Required
cityContent.san-diego.idp.notes
Fine without IDP: $50-$500 for driving without valid license
Where to Get IDP: cityContent.san-diego.idp.whereToGet
Accepted Licenses
Scooter & Motorbike Rental in San Diego
Daily Rental Cost
$15-$25/day for e-scooters; $40-$80/day for gas scooterscityContent.san-diego.scooter.licenseNotes
Insurance Warning
cityContent.san-diego.scooter.insuranceWarning
Rental Tips
Traffic Rules in San Diego
Local Traffic Rules
Common Tourist Mistakes
Horn Culture
cityContent.san-diego.traffic.hornCulture
Traffic Fines & Penalties
Speeding
$238-$500+ depending on speed; construction zones have increased fines
No Helmet
$197+ for motorcycle riders (helmet required for all riders in California)
No IDP
$100-$500 for driving without valid license
Red Light
$490+ for red-light camera violations (among the highest in the US)
Drink Driving
$1,800-$13,500 fine; BAC limit 0.08%; license suspension; mandatory DUI education
Safety Tips
Essential Safety Tips
Best Time to Drive
cityContent.san-diego.safety.bestTimeToDrive
Rainy Season Warning
cityContent.san-diego.safety.rainySeasonWarning
Parking
Average Cost
$10-$25/day in garages; metered parking $1.50-$3/hour; beach parking $5-$20/dayScooter Parking
cityContent.san-diego.parking.scooterParking
Parking Tips
FAQ: Driving in San Diego
Emergency Contacts
Police
911
Ambulance
911
Roadside Assistance
AAA: 1-800-222-4357
Partner link – opens GetYourGuide.com
Practice for Your United States Driving Test
Prepare for the official driving theory test with practice questions, road signs, and study materials.