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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#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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