California's Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law requires every driver and every owner of a motor vehicle to maintain financial responsibility (liability coverage) at all times. There are four forms of financial responsibility:
A motor vehicle liability insurance policy.
A deposit of $35,000 with DMV.
A surety bond for $35,000 obtained from a company licensed to do business in California.
A DMV issued self-insurance certificate.
You must carry written evidence of financial responsibility whenever you drive and show it to a peace officer after a citation stop or accident. You may have to pay a fine or have your vehicle impounded if you don't.
If you don't have acceptable financial responsibility and have an accident, you may lose your driver license for up to four years.