California Drivers License

Step-by-Step Instructions

CA Drivers License Information for New Drivers

Step 1 - Obtaining Driver Ed Certificate of Completion

You will need to provide proof that you have completed a Driver’s Education Course with a DMV-approved Certificate of Completion. This certificate is required in order to obtain your Provisional Instruction Permit. You will also need to provide proof that you are enrolled in a driver training course.

Step 2 - Applying for your Provisional Instruction Permit

You must be at least 15 ½ years, but under 18 years old to apply for your Provisional Instruction Permit. To apply for the permit at your local DMV office, you will need to do the following:

Submit completed application form DL 44 – available at DMV office. Your parents' or guardians' must sign this application.
Provide your Social Security number.
Give proof of your birth date and legal presence.
Give proof of enrollment in Driver Training Form OL 392 signed by a licensed driving instructor.
Submit Certificate of Completion of Driver's Education Course.
Give your thumb print.
Have your picture taken.
Pay the $27 application fee. This fee entitles you to three exams of any type within the 12-month period and pays for both the instruction permit and the driver's license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.
Pass a vision exam.
Pass a traffic laws and sign test. There are 46 questions on the test. A passing score is at least 39 correct answers. You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait seven days before taking it again.

Once you pass the test, you will be issued a Provisional Instruction Permit.

The Provisional Permit is not valid until you start your behind-the-wheel driver training with an instructor or reach the age of 17 ½ years.

Step 3 - After getting your Instruction Permit

Once you have your Instruction Permit:

You will need to take six hours of on-road instruction with professional driving instructor.
You can begin your on-road driving lessons with your parent/guardian or other licensed driver who is at least 25 years old.

Complete 50 hours of practice with a parent/guardian or any other adult who is 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver's license and certify 50 hours of practice driving. At least 10 of the 50 hours must be done at night.

Step 4 - Taking the Driving Test

In order to take your driving test for your Provisional Driver License you must:

Be 16 years old
Have held your permit for a minimum of six months
Have completed Driver's Education course
Have completed six hours of professional driver training
Have completed 50 hours (including 10 hours of night driving) of practice with a licensed adult who is 25 years or older
Show proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be taking your driving test in

To take your driving test, you will need to:

Make a driving test appointment. (Driving tests are not given without an appointment.) You may also call 1-800-777-0133 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, to make a driving test appointment.
Provide proof of financial responsibility

After you pass your driving test, you will be issued an Interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect. If you have not received your license after 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 to check on the status. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.

If you fail your drive test, you will have to wait for two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.

California Driver Handbook...

Samples of Driver Written Tests...

Step 5 - After the Driving Test

Effective January 1, 2006, a new law will increase driving restrictions for persons under the age of 18 who:

Are issued a provisional driver license (DL) on or after January 1, 2006, or
Already hold a provisional DL issued on or after January 1, 2005.

Provisional Driving Restrictions—You must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian or other licensed driver 25 years of age or older or a licensed or certified driving instructor when you:

Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time, for the first 12 months.
Drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first 12 months.

Note that persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you become 18, the provisional part of your driver's license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your fourth birthday after the date you applied.

California DMV »