Instruction Permit Requirements in California
California Graduated Driver Licensing Laws
Like all other states in the USA, California has a graduated driver licensing law. It applies to all new drivers under 18 years and has three steps:
| Phase | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| I: Provisional Instruction Permit | 15 years six months |
| II: Provisional Driver’s License | 16 years |
| III: Unrestricted Driver’s License | 12 months with provisional license or 18 years |
California Graduated Driver’s License System
What is a Provisional Instruction Permit?
All California drivers under 18 must obtain a provisional instruction permit before qualifying for a provisional driver’s license.
If the applicant is under 18 years old, the permit and driver’s license are called provisional since they have restrictions that licenses for adults (18 and over) don’t have.
An instruction permit is necessary before practicing driving skills with a supervising driver. You must always carry the permit with you when you drive.
How to Obtain a California Instruction Permit
To obtain a provisional instruction permit, a new driver must:
- Be at least 15½ years of age.
- Fill out the DMV application form (DL 44).
- Get parents’ or guardians’ signatures on the application form if they are under 18 years.
- Present acceptable documents establishing identity, residency (if applicable), and birth date.
- Provide proof of full name and social security number.
- Pay the required application fee.
- Pass an eye exam.
- Have their picture taken.
- Give a thumb print.
- Pass a written DMV knowledge test.
If you are 17½ years old or younger, you must also show proof that you:
- Completed driver education (Certificate of Completion of Driver Education) OR
- Are enrolled and participating in an approved integrated driver education/driver training program (Certificate of Enrollment in an Integrated [Classroom] Driver Education and Driver Training Program).
California DMV does not accept an out-of-state instruction permit as acceptable proof of driver education and training. If you took your driver’s education or training courses in another state, you should get a DL33 form completed by the out-of-state school.
If you are older than 17½ years, driver education is not mandatory.
California Instruction Permit Rules
With a California provisional instruction permit, you must
- Obey the traffic laws.
- Drive without a collision.
- Drive with your parent, guardian, spouse, or an adult 25 years or older with a valid California driver’s license.
- Hold your permit for six months before you can take your driving test to get your driver’s license, meaning you must be at least 16.
- NOT use cell phones (even if hands-free) or other mobile electronic devices while driving.
- Ensure all passengers use permanently installed seat belts.
- Complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice.
You Cannot Drive Alone
It is illegal for a permit holder to drive alone at any time. A parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years or older with a valid California driver’s license must always sit in the front seat to take control of the vehicle, if necessary.
If you are under 18, you can only start your 50-hour driving practice after completing your driver’s education.
Unlike some other states, there are no curfew restrictions for California permit holders and no restrictions on the number of passengers while you hold an instruction permit.
Such restrictions are, however, in place when you get your provisional license.
There is a night-time curfew and a passenger restriction for the first 12 months or until you turn 18.
Restrictions on the California Provisional Driver’s License
During the first 12 months with a provisional license, a minor cannot:
- Drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Drive with passengers under 20 years unless accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian, a California driver 25 years or older, or a certified driving instructor.
- Use a cellphone or other wireless electronic communication device while driving.
Exceptions to night curfew and passenger restrictions exist when reasonable transportation is unavailable, and you must drive. Carry a signed note explaining why you must drive and when the necessity will end.
The law allows exceptions for medical necessity (carry a note signed by your physician), school or school-authorized activities (note signed by your school principal, dean, or designee), employment necessity (letter signed by your employer), or immediate need of family member (note signed by your parent or guardian). Exceptions are also allowed for an emancipated minor.
California Graduated Driver’s License Law
Learn more about California graduated driver’s license system here: What is California Graduated Driver’s License?
Instruction Permit Summary Quiz
Results
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Check the rules again!
#1. To obtain an instruction permit, you must be:
#2. Who can be the supervising driver when you hold an instruction permit?
A driver with an instruction permit must accompanied by a California licensed driver 25 years of age or older whose driving privilege is not on probation.
The age requirement of this paragraph does not apply if the licensed driver is the parent, spouse, or guardian of the permit holder or is a licensed or certified driving instructor.
#3. Can you use a cell phone while driving if you hold a permit?
It is against the law for a minor to use a cell phone or electronic wireless communications device while driving. You may, however, use a cell phone to contact law enforcement, a health care provider, the fire department, or another emergency entity in an emergency when driving.
#4. A driver edution is mandatory, unless you are:
If you are at least 17½ years old, you may obtain a permit without completing driver education or driver training. However, you cannot get a driver’s license before you are 18 years old.
#5. To get a provisional driver's license, you must be:
You must be at least 16 years old.
#6. To get a provisional driver's license you must have held your instruction permit for at least:
You must have had a California instruction permit or an instruction permit from another state for at least 6 months.
#7. When you get a provisional license you cannot drive between
There is a night-time curfew and a passenger restriction for the first 12 months or until you turn 18. The night-time curfew means you cannot drive you cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
California DMV Practice Test
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California DMV Practice Tests in Spanish
California DMV Test Questions & Answers in Spanish at california-dmv-practice-test.org: Acerca del examen práctico del DMV de California .
Learn More
Must I pass a Driver Education Course to get a California Permit?
Yes, in California you must complete a classroom course if you are 15 ½ – 17 ½ years old.
You may also show proof that you are participating in an approved integrated driver education/driver training (DE/DT) program.
If you are over 17 ½ but under 18 years, a course is not mandatory, but you cannot take the driving test until you are 18 years.
If you are over 18 years old, you do not need to take the driver education course or training but must get an instruction permit before DMV issues an unrestricted license.
Must I take the knowledge test at DMV?
Yes, you must take the written knowledge test at a DMV location.
You cannot take the knowledge test online from your home.
What happens if I fail the California knowledge test?
If you fail the written knowledge test in California, you must wait 7 days before you can take the test again.
You have 3 chances to pass the test. Should you fail all 3 times, you must start over by filling out a new application and paying the appropriate fees.
Can I drive at night if I have a California instruction permit?
Yes, unlike many other states, there is no curfew restrictions for California permit holders and no restrictions in number of passengers.
Please note that a parent, guardian, spouse or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California Driver License, must always be with you when you drive.
Can I drive with passengers if I have a California instruction permit?
Unlike many other states, there is no restrictions in number of passengers for California permit holders.
A parent, guardian, spouse or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California DL, must always be with you when you drive.
How many practice hours must I complete when I have a California permit?
With a California instruction permit you must complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice before DMV can issue a provisional license. Not less than 10 of these 50 hours must be completed when driving during darkness.
Darkness is defined as any time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and any other time when visibility is not sufficient to render clearly discernible any person or vehicle on the highway at a distance of 1,000 feet.
When you apply for a provisional license, a parent, spouse, guardian, or licensed or certified driving instructor must certify that you completed the driving practice and is prepared to take the department’s driving test. In some situations, you may have a licensed driver 25 years of age or older complete the certification.
You should also note that these 50 hours of driving practice is in addition to any driver training during your driver education course.
[Vehicle Code 12814.6]
How long is my California permit valid?
Your California Instruction Permit is valid for one year from the application date. If you are under 17½ years, you must have your permit signed and validated by an instructor before you can start practicing, but the permit is valid from one year from the application date, not from when our instructor signs it.
What happens if I let my California permit expire?
If you let your Instruction Permit expire, you must go through the application process and pay the application fee again. Be sure to keep the expired permit, since it is proof of the mandatory six-month holding period.
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I’m 21. Do I need to hold my permit for 6 months before I take the DL test or can I take it before the 6 months? And do I have to have another person with me when I drive with a permit if I’m over 21?
Yes to both questions. To obtain a license, you must have held your instruction permit (in California or another state) for at least 6 months. While holding a permit, you cannot drive alone.
My 17 year old got his permit 5 months ago but it expired before having it 6 months. Went back to the dmv paid all the fees he retook the written and passed. Does he need to wait another 6 months before he can take his behind the wheel test? Or does the 5 months of holding a permit count as part of his 6 months?
we’re do i fill out the DL 44 form
Visit this DMV page: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/dl-id-online-app-edl-44/
To continue the process, you will be asked to create a DMV online account, if you don’t have one.
If you for some reason cannot use the online application, you must visit a DMV office.
do you have to hold your permit for 6 months and 1 day to take your drive test? My daughter got her permit on 3/08 and would like to get her license on her 16th birthday which is 9/08 but was told she has to wait 6 months and 1 day
If the question is about the additional “1 day”, then no.
The law is clear, you must hold your permit for six months, but not less.
12814.6: The person shall hold an instruction permit for not less than six months prior to applying for a provisional driver’s license.
If she got her permit March 8 this year, then yes, she must wait her six months before applying for the Provisional Driver License.
You start counting towards the six months on the day you receive your permit.
How long must i have my instruction permit before I can take the driving test? I am 30 years old.
There is no specified holding time if you are 18 years or older. When you have the permit you can schedule the driving test as soon as you have the necessary skills.
I am 35 years old and i got married on October 2021 here in the US, i’m from Argentina, i passed text exam at DMV, now i will go with the test drive. Will this DL let me drive alone? i have Argentinian valid driver license.
Yes. After passing the practical driving test you have earned an unrestricted license, which means that you can drive alone.
If I am 25 and get a permit, how long do I have until it expires? Also, will the permit be an identification card or a printed piece of paper that allows me to drive?
The California permit expires after 12 months and it is not a valid photo-ID.
So I received my permit (when I was 21 years old) on Dec. 23rd 2019, and then it expired on Dec. 23rd 2020. Do I need to renew the permit before I take my driver’s test? Or can I just attempt to get my DL now?
Be sure to keep your expired permit since it is proof that you had your permit for at least 6 months which means you don’t have to wait the six months before you take your road test. But you must must go through the application process and pay the application fee again. That includes getting all documents ready and take the theory test once again.
My son is a little over 17-1/2 years old. He just obtained his CA instruction permit. It says “This instruction permit is not valid until the applicant completes the first day of behind the wheel training or reaches age 17-1/2.” Given his age, does this mean that the permit is valid without the first day of behind the wheel training (with a certified instructor)? We (his parents) would like to start teaching him asap because we cannot get him into an instruction program for more than a month.
Yes, if your son is older than 17 1/2, no driver education is necessary. Permit is valid and you can start practising.
I have been having my permit for about 5 months but I’m barley taking the driver training this month can i still take my drivers test next month or do I have wait six month from when my permit has been signed by instructor.
Assuming you are under 18 years. Then, you must:
Six months and the one-year expiration date are counted from the application date.
When the instructor validated your permit, you were allowed to start practicing with a supervising driver.
I just turned 17 1/2 and I have had my california drivers permit for 3 months. Can I already take the physical drivers test? Or do I have to wait another 3 months to complete the full 6 months. I need my drivers license due to my situation. I’ve googled this question but the answers confused me. Please let me know! Thanks.
As long as you are under 18 years, the GDL rules applies, which means you must hold your permit for at least six months and practice driving for at least 50 hours before you can take a road skills test.
so I have an odd question for you. Is there a limit on how many times a person can get an instruction permit? Like let’s say your 18+ and you let it expire then go get another one. Are you able to do thatbover and over without any limitations?
Yes. If you miss the 12-month deadline you must apply for a new permit and take all tests again. Nothing in the California Vehicle Code limits the number of times you can do that.
I am 18 and I want to get my drivers license do I have to get my instruction permit first? If so how long do I have to wait until I can have a California drivers license?
Yes, unless you have been licensed before, DMV always issues a permit before you can get a California driver’s license. Regardless of age.
If you are 18 years or older, you don’t have to pass the driver education course and there is no waiting time. When you have the permit you can schedule the behind-the-wheel test as soon as you feel that you are ready.
A permit is issued so you can practice driving with a supervising driver. The permit doesn’t allow you to drive alone – not even to take the test.
I am moving from NY to CA in October. I have a learner’s permit from NY and I am 25 years old. Will I be able to transfer my permit to CA? Can I drive with my NY permit while I am there? For the first month or two I won’t have a permanent address, so I am also unsure on how to apply for a CA license or permit without it.
Since you are 25 years old, you may drive with your permit if it is valid and as long as you aren’t considered a resident.
If you are employed in CA, registered at a university, paying utilities or a phone etc. you probably have a temporary CA address. That may be enough to prove residency. In other words, 2 documents with a temporary address may be enough to get you a DL. But a temporary address comes with the hassle of changing address on your DL when you move to a more permanent address.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/residency-documents-list-pdf
I am 18 and recently obtained my permit. Do I need to take driving courses to be able to get my drivers license?
No.
The Driver Education course is only mandatory if you are between 15 ½ and 17 ½ years old.
I’m getting my instructional permit this month so I will be getting my provisional license in January. I’d be 17 and 5 months and I was wondering if that would be an issue considering that when you’re 17 1/2 you can’t take the test until you turn 18.
I was wondering if I can get a instruction permit if I don’t have a social security number. I’m 15 and a half and have completed drivers education and am in the USA because my dad has an E2 visa and I am ineligible for a social security number, Can I povide other documents instead of a social security number?
Basically, yes. If you are legally present in the U.S., but ineligible for a social security number, you are exempt from the DMV SSN requirement. Call or visit your local DMV, SSN status is checked automatically, but you must bring documents that show your legal presence. Your local DMV should be able to advice you on this.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/educational-materials/fast-facts/social-security-number-ffdl-8/