If you are Under 18

A minor is a person under 18 years old. Minors must have their application signed by their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). If parents/guardians share joint custody, both must sign.

To apply for a provisional instruction permit if you’re at least 15 ½, but under 18 years of age:

• Complete a California Driver’s License or Identification (DL/ID) Card Application. Have your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) sign the application.

When parents or guardians sign for a minor to get a DL, they are stating that they will accept financial responsibility (insurance) for that minor. Financial responsibility in California requires that drivers and vehicle owners carry the following minimum dollar limits:

• $15,000 for injury or death of 1 person per accident.
• $30,000 for injury or death of 2 or more persons per accident.
• $5,000 for any property damage per accident.

Proof of financial responsibility (insurance) must be carried at all times in the vehicle. Most Californians maintain financial responsibility through insurance companies, which provide the policy holder with an identification (ID) card to be used as proof of coverage. The card must state the insurance company’s name and address, the period of coverage, and policy number.

• Provide your full legal name.
• Provide your social security number (SSN) on the application. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration (SSA) while you are in the office.

If you do not have a California ID already established with DMV:

• Bring your original/certified copy of your birth certificate or your valid, unexpired United States Passport. If you are not a U.S.-born citizen, you must provide proof that you are a legal U.S. resident with an acceptable identity document.
• Present an acceptable residency document.

If applying for a REAL ID DL, two residency documents are required.

If you are 15 ½ – 17 ½ years old, you will need to provide proof that you:

• Completed driver education (certificate of completion of driver education) or are enrolled and participating in an approved integrated driver education/driver training (DE/DT) program (certificate of enrollment in an integrated [classroom] driver education and driver training program).

If you are over 17 ½ but under 18 years of age, you may get your instruction permit without the DE/DT certificates. However, you will not be able to take the driving test until you are 18 years of age.

If your DE/DT were completed in a state other than California, DMV will accept a letter from your out-of-state secondary school on the school’s official stationery. The letter must be signed by a school official stating that the completed courses you have taken are equivalent to a California secondary school course as described in Section 10020 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and on form “To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools” (DL 33).

The “To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools” (DL 33) form should be sent to your out-of-state school. The DL 33 should not be completed, but rather contains the information for the out-of-state school to complete the letter. Obtain a DL 33 form from your local DMV office or by calling DMV at 1-800-777-0133.

An out-of-state driving instruction permit is not acceptable proof of DE/DT.

• Provide a thumbprint.
• Pass a vision exam.
• Pay a nonrefundable application fee.
• Provide a thumbprint again, provide your signature (that will appear on the driver’s license) and have your picture taken at the camera station.
• Take the knowledge test(s). You must get at least 38 questions right out of 46. You will have 3 chances to take the test, but if you fail a test you must wait 7 days (not including the day the test was failed) before taking the test again. If you fail the test all 3 times, you must start over by filling out a new application and paying the appropriate fees.

All knowledge tests must be taken before 4:30 p.m. so you are not rushed when taking the test. We want you to pass your test. Study the handbook and make use of the practice tests and driving knowledge tutorial.

As soon as you pass your knowledge test, you will be issued a provisional instruction permit.

The provisional instruction permits are not valid until the instruction permit is signed by a licensed or authorized driving instructor or the applicant reaches the age 17 ½.

A parent, guardian, spouse or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California DL, must be with you when you drive. He or she must sit in the front seat in order to take control of the vehicle at any time.

A provisional instruction permit does not allow you to drive alone at any time, not even to a DMV field office to take your driving test.

The California DL/ID card application and fee is valid for 12 months after you apply. If your application will expire before you have held your provisional instruction permit for the required six months to take your driving test, you’ll need to reapply at a DMV office. You will get cumulative credit for the time you held your provisional instruction permit that counts towards your six-month requirement. Make sure to bring both your expired and valid provisional instruction permits when you take your driving test to show proof of credit.