Top Requirements By Age

If you are older than 17 ½ but younger than 18, you can apply for a (Class C) driver’s license once you turn 18. If you are 18 and older, you can apply for a Class C driver’s license when you feel well prepared to drive.

Graduated Driver’s License Program

California led the nation when it first passed its Graduated Driver's License (GDL) law in 1997. The state put this program in place to reduce the number of teen car accidents and the number of teens who are injured or killed each year in California. Under this program, teens between the ages of 15 ½ and 17 ½ must:

1. Complete a driver education class, such as the one offered by our sponsor.
2. Hold a provisional learner's permit for six months.
3. Complete six hours of professional driver training.
4. Complete 50 practice hours with an adult (25 years old and up).
5. Apply for a California provisional driver license.

Top Take Drivers Education

Residents

You have the option to take driver education either through a state-approved program such as the one offered by our sponsor or in a public or private high school.

New to the State

If you took driver’s ed in another state, you cannot use an out-of-state driving instructional permit as proof of course completion. Instead the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will accept either:

• A completed form DL 33 (To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools) filled out by your out-of-state secondary school. You can request this form by calling (800) 777-0133 or pick one up at your nearest DMV office.

• A letter printed on school stationery and signed by a school official from your out-of-state secondary school stating that you completed a course equivalent to California’s as described in Section 10020 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Top Obtain a Provisional Permit

All first-time drivers should apply for a provisional permit regardless of age. For those who are 15 ½ to 17 ½ it’s required; for those 17 ½ or older it’s a smart idea (and a requirement if you plan on getting some behind-the-wheel experience before you take the driving test).

1. Take a practice test to familiarize yourself with questions similar to the ones you’ll be asked when you take the state’s written test.
2. Complete the permit application (form DL 44). You must submit the original; the DMV will not accept copies. Because the state assigns a bar code on each application, you must call the DMV to request one or pick one up at the nearest branch.
3. Those younger than 18 must have their parents or guardians sign the DL 44. For more info on accepting liability for a minor, consult the state site.
4. Be prepared to provide your Social Security number (SSN). To read about acceptable documents and exceptions to the SSN requirements, consult the state site.
5. Be prepared to verify your birthday and legal presence.
6. Be prepared to provide your true full name if it differs from what is on your birth date/legal presence document.
7. Applicants younger than 18 should gather the appropriate paperwork to prove:
   • Completion of driver education and driver training (forms DL 387, DL 388, DL 388A, OL 237 or OL 238), or
   • Completion of driver education (form DL 387 or OL 237) and enrollment/participation in driver training (form DL 392 or OL 392), or
   • Enrollment/participation in an approved and integrated driver ed/driver training program (form DL 400)
8. Be prepared to pay the application fee using cash, check, money order, or ATM/debit card. The DMV does not accept credit cards.
9. Make an appointment to take the 46-question written test (on traffic laws and road signs), submit your paperwork, give a thumb print and have your picture taken at the DMV nearest you. You can miss seven questions and still pass the test.

Provisional Permit Driving Restrictions

After you pass the written test the state will issue you a provisional permit to get behind the wheel. However, you still may not operate the vehicle alone at any time.

While driving with this permit, you must be accompanied by a validly licensed California driver―either a parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years of age or older―who can sit close enough to you to take control of the vehicle if need be. To find out more about obtaining a permit, see our Drivers Permits page.

Top Practice Behind the Wheel

The permit mentioned above allows you to operate a vehicle under close supervision so you can clock valuable hours behind the wheel. To prepare for the DMV’s driving test and to ultimately apply for your license, you’ll need 50 practice hours with an adult age 25 years or older who currently holds a valid CA driver’s license if you are 15 ½ o 17 ½ years old. You must drive at night for 10 of these hours.

Additionally for those ages 15 ½ to 17 ½, you must complete a driver training program, completing six hours behind the wheel with a driver training professional. If you are between the ages of 17 ½ and 18, you are not required to complete a driver training program. However, keep in mind you won’t be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.

Top Apply for a License

In order to apply for a driver’s license the following must be true:

• You are at least 16 years old.

• You have held your permit for at least six months.

• You have completed driver education and six hours of professional driver training (only applies to those younger than 17 ½).

• You have practiced driving with a validly CA licensed adult age 25 years or older for 50 hours, 10 of which were done at night.

If that is the case, read through the following three steps to be on your way to earning your license.

1) Take the Driving Test

If you can answer yes to each of the above statements, you are ready to take the driving test. Here’s what you’ll want to do:

• Be prepared to show proof of financial responsibility for the vehicle you plan on driving for the test―for many that means providing proof the car is sufficiently insured. If you need to shop insurance quotes, consult our Insurance Center

• Make a driving-test appointment online or by calling (800) 777-0133 Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.; the DMV will not administer a driving test without an appointment.

Note: Failing the test the first time is not the end of the world. In fact, the DMV gives you three chances to pass. However you must wait two weeks to retest.

2) Obtain an Interim Driver’s License

Once you pass, the DMV will hand you your interim license, good for 60 days. Check that it displays your correct address, and speak up if it is either incorrect or if you have recently moved so the DMV representative can update your record. If the 60-day period passes and you still have not received your new photo license in the mail, call (800) 777-0133.

3) Obtain a Provisional Driver’s License

The new photo license you receive in the mail is your provisional license. It’s called “provisional” because there are temporary restrictions that apply to you as a newly licensed driver. Once you turn 18, the provisional aspect of your license goes away.

For the first 12 months you cannot:

• Allow passengers younger than 20 to ride in the car.

• Drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

In order to do either, the state requires you to have a licensed parent/guardian (or another licensed driver age 25 or older) or a licensed/certified driving instructor in the car with you.

After 12 months have passed from the issue date on your driver’s license, the above no longer applies. If you break those rules before that period is up, you could face a fine and/or community service, not to mention a dangerous driving situation you might not be able to handle as an inexperienced driver.

To read about exceptions to these restrictions consult the state site.

Our content is updated based on input from users like you. Help make it better!