{"id":35392,"date":"2020-05-13T13:17:03","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T20:17:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/?post_type=dmv_handbook&#038;p=35392"},"modified":"2025-06-11T08:59:05","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T15:59:05","slug":"getting-an-instruction-permit-and-drivers-license","status":"publish","type":"dmv_handbook","link":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/handbook\/california-driver-handbook\/getting-an-instruction-permit-and-drivers-license\/","title":{"rendered":"Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver\u2019s License"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you do not have a driver\u2019s license from California or another state, you must apply for an instruction permit before taking the behind-the-wheel drive test to get your driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What You Need<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply for an instruction permit or driver\u2019s license, you must provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Proof of identity: <\/strong>Proving who you are.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Two proofs of residency: <\/strong>Proving you live in California. Exceptions may apply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legal full name document:<\/strong> Proving your current name if the name on your identity document and application do not match.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social security number:<\/strong> Exceptions may apply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For REAL ID requirements, current acceptable documents, and eligibility, visit <a href=\"\/portal\/driver-licenses-identification-cards\/real-id\/\">dmv.ca.gov\/realid<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Register To Vote<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For information on registering to vote, visit California Secretary of State at <a href=\"http:\/\/sos.ca.gov\">sos.ca.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Applying For An Instruction Permit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply for a Class C instruction permit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Complete a Driver\u2019s License &amp; ID Card Application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide your documents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pay a non-refundable application fee.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pass your knowledge test(s).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pass a vision test.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information, visit <a href=\"\/portal\/driver-licenses-identification-cards\/instruction-permits\/\">dmv.ca.gov\/instructionpermit<\/a> for a complete list of application steps and requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you are under 18 years old, you will also need to:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be at least 15\u00bd years old.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete a driver education program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a parent or guardian sign to approve the application and accept financial responsibility (see Section 10). If your parents or guardians share joint custody of you, both must sign.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wait to use your instruction permit until you start behind-the-wheel driver training with an instructor who will validate the permit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving Schools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Driver education and driver training are offered at DMV-licensed driving schools and some high schools. Instructors must carry an instructor\u2019s ID card. Ask to see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See the Driver Training Schools page at <a href=\"\/portal\/driver-education-and-safety\/\">dmv.ca.gov\/driver-ed<\/a> for more information about selecting a driving school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Applying For A Driver\u2019s License<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">To get your driver\u2019s license after you have your instruction permit, you need to:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Practice driving with a California-licensed driver who is at least 18 years old (25 for minors). This person must sit close enough to take control of the vehicle if needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pass a behind-the-wheel drive test.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you are under 18 years old, you will also need to:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be at least 16 years old.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have an instruction permit from California or another state for at least 6 months (or turn 18 years old) before scheduling your behind-the-wheel drive test.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prove that you completed <strong>both <\/strong>driver education and driver training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practice driving for at least 50 hours with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25 years old. Ten hours must be at night.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>See the Driver\u2019s Licenses page at <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/dmv.ca.gov\/teendriver\">dmv.ca.gov\/teendriver<\/a><\/strong> for the complete list of application steps, requirements, the Parent Teen Driving Contract, and Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE) Score Sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minor\u2019s Restrictions and Exceptions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you are under 18 years old, your driver\u2019s license will have the word provisional. As a provisional driver, you <strong>cannot<\/strong> drive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months you have your license.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With passengers under 20 years old, unless your parent or guardian or other California-licensed driver (at least 25 years old) rides with you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For pay or operate vehicles that require a commercial Class A, B, or C license.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are exceptions to these restrictions if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have a medical need and cannot reasonably find another way to travel. You must carry a note signed by your physician. The note must have your medical condition and date you are expected to recover.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive for schooling or a school activity. You must carry a note signed by your school principal, dean, or designee.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Must drive for work reasons. You must carry a note signed by your employer. The note must confirm your employment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Must drive an immediate family member. You must carry a note signed by your parent or legal guardian. The note must state the reason you need to drive, the family member, and date when the need will end.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span role=\"region\" class=\"format-label--note\"><span class=\"format-label__text\">Note<\/span> A parent or guardian may cancel their teen\u2019s license by completing a Request for Cancellation or Surrender of a Driver License or ID Card form.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":13003,"menu_order":6,"template":"","dmv_task":[11,10],"dmv_functional_page_type":[64,69],"dmv_handbook_category":[565],"class_list":["post-35392","dmv_handbook","type-dmv_handbook","status-publish","hentry","dmv_task-educational","dmv_task-licensing","dmv_functional_page_type-informational","dmv_functional_page_type-instructional","dmv_handbook_category-ca-driver-handbook"],"featured_image_src":null,"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver\u2019s License - California DMV<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/handbook\/california-driver-handbook\/getting-an-instruction-permit-and-drivers-license\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver\u2019s License - California DMV\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you do not have a driver\u2019s license from California or another state, you must apply for an instruction permit before taking the behind-the-wheel drive test to get your driver\u2019s license. 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