Your complete guide to getting your California driver's license. Follow these 4 essential steps to start your driving journey safely and legally.
If you are under 18 years old, there are four main steps to getting your driver license. These must be done in order, and the earliest you can apply for a permit (Step 2) is at age 15½.
Over 17½? You aren't required to take the Driver Education Course or Behind the Wheel Training, but you can't take your drive test until you are 18. Our courses are designed for all new drivers, regardless of age, and it's a very good idea to get trained even if not required by the DMV!
A DMV approved Driver Education Course can be taken in a classroom or online. The Certificate of Completion issued after you successfully complete the course is required for obtaining your provisional permit.
Bay Cities offers a DMV approved, self-paced online course.
Apply for a provisional permit (aka "learner's permit") directly with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This includes paying a fee, taking a vision test, and a written test. These take place at your local DMV field office.
For more details, visit the DMV's Instruction Permits page.
Six hours of behind the wheel training with a licensed instructor are required. In addition to the six hours of instruction, you need to practice driving an additional 50 hours with an adult over 25 years old who holds a valid CA driver license. Ten of these hours must be at night.
Sign up now to reserve a spot for our Behind the Wheel Training and start once you have a valid permit.
Once you are 16 years old, have had your permit for at least 6 months, and completed the requirements, you can take the drive test at the DMV to get your license. You have three chances to pass the drive test. If you don't pass, you must wait two weeks to try again.
After you pass, you'll be issued a provisional license. For the first year, or until you turn 18, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver over 25 to drive passengers under the age of 20 or drive between 11 PM and 5 AM.
Check out our comprehensive resources and frequently asked questions to help you through every step of the process.
Begin your driving journey today with our DMV-approved online driver education course. It's the first step toward getting your license!
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