How do you get a permit in california

California Driver Permit — How to Get One

If you need to know how to get your first provisional instruction permit in California, look no further! Following are the steps you need to take to get your first driver permit in California:

Before The DMV

Before you even make your DMV appointment or apply, you will need to take a few steps to get your driver education training requirements in order. Here are some steps you can complete before going to the DMV:

1. Complete a Driver's Education course licensed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you are at least 15 years old, you can enroll in our program. All you need to do is complete all the chapters and pass the easy final exam.
2. Enroll in and complete a behind-the-wheel driver training program. In addition to our online teen drivers ed course, you will need to enroll in a driver training program in order to get a learner's license.
3. Gather materials. You will need to get together some important paperwork before you make the trek to the DMV.

• Complete the original DL 44 application form with parent or guardian signatures.
• Provide documents establishing your and identity, residency (if applicable) and birth date. The documents must be a certified copy or original document, must contain an impressed seal or original stamped impression, must not be a photocopy, and cannot be laminated. For a list of acceptable documents, see the DMV website here.
• Provide your full true name and Social Security Number (if eligible).

Then you're ready for your DMV visit and to apply for your first permit!

At The DMV

1. You will need to be between the ages of 15½ and 18. Even though you can start and complete your driver ed program starting at 15, you need to be 15 1/2 to apply for your permit.
2. Make an appointment at your nearest DMV office. Appointments can save you a lot of time — and at some locations, they are the only way to get in at all. Make your appointment early, as some locations can book weeks in advance. Locations also will not give tests after 4:30 p.m. so make an earlier appointment and arrive on time.
3. Bring all of the necessary paperwork and identification. See the above section for what to gather.
4. Pass a traffic laws and signs test. The exam is 46 questions long and you will need to answer at least 38 questions correctly to pass.
5. Pass a vision exam. If you use glasses or contacts, no worries! You will be able to use them for the exam, just make sure the tester knows.
6. Provide a thumb print and have your photo taken.
7. Pay the $33 application fee.

California Provisional Permit Restrictions

• You must obey all traffic laws.
• You must drive without a collision.
• You must drive with a parent, guardian, spouse or adult age 25 or older who holds a valid California driver license.
• You must hold your permit for at least six months before you can apply for your driver license.
• The Zero Tolerance law applies until 21 — that means that a teen driver may not drink and drive.
• The use of cell phones (with or without hands-free devices), laptops, pagers and other electronic devices is prohibited for drivers under the age of 18.

California teens can start the process of becoming a driver as young as 15½ years old. It starts with getting your learner's permit, also called a provisional instruction permit. We break down exactly what is required so you can move through the process quickly and smoothly. 

The Criteria to Apply for a Learner's Permit in California

The route to take to apply for a learner's permit in California depends on your age. 

• If you are between 15½ and 17½, you need to take a driver's education course before you apply for a learner's permit. You will need to present your driver's ed certificate of completion when you apply for your instruction permit. 

• If you are over 18, a driver's ed course isn’t necessary. You can head straight to the DMV to apply for your permit.

• You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

• Bring all relevant documents to the DMV, such as birth certificate, Social Security card, proof of California residency, and proof of legal residency if you are an immigrant.

• If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian must accompany you to the DMV to sign the Driver License or Identification (DL/ID) Card application form.

• Take the knowledge test to prove your competency of California driving laws. Pass, and the permit is yours!

Even though it’s not mandatory, we highly recommend that teens 18 years and older also consider driver education. A driver's ed course teaches the principles of safe driving that’s beneficial to all young drivers.

Sign Up for a California Driver's Ed Course Online

If you’re under age 17½, your first step is to find a California driver's ed course. You can take in-class lessons, but an online driver's ed course is faster and more convenient.

What to Consider When Choosing an Online Driver's Ed Course

There are many online driving schools on the web. Choosing a reputable one is important. Here’s what to take into consideration:

• Is the driving school approved by the California Department of Motor Vehicles? Don’t waste your time taking a course that doesn’t meet the state’s requirements. The DMV only grants permits to applicants who have completed a state-approved course.

• Do they offer a 30-hour course? The State of California requires that all online California driver's ed courses cover 30 hours of instruction.

• Are past students happy? If reviews are posted on the driving school’s website, take the time to read through them. 

What Our California Driver's Ed Online Course Covers

A California driver's ed course should cover California traffic laws and signs, rules of the road, and driving safety. 

At I Drive Safely, our course is broken up into eight chapters, each covering a specific topic. At the end of each chapter, you’ll answer a short multiple-choice quiz. The course is 30 hours long, as per the state’s requirement. Depending on how fast you work through it, you can finish it in a much shorter period.

When you reach the end of the course, you’ll take an exam consisting of 50 questions. To pass, you need to score at least 80%. Worried that you may not pass the first time? Relax. You can retake the exam as many times as needed at no additional cost.

Prepare for Your Knowledge Test

When you successfully complete the course, we will send your certificate of completion for free. By regular mail, it normally takes five to seven days. Once you receive it, head to the DMV to take the knowledge test. The test includes 46 multiple-choice questions about California traffic laws, but don't worry — you'll have covered all this material in your driver's ed course.

You just need to get 38 questions right to pass. If you pass, you’ll walk out waving your learner's permit and be one step closer to becoming a California driver.

Get Your Learner's Permit With I Drive Safely

It’s that simple. In fact, getting a learner’s permit in California is probably easier than learning to surf! It all starts with our California driver's ed online course, so sign up today.