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California driving lesson · Getting Your License

Your license as a minor: provisional rules

A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Getting Your License
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
9, 10

After practicing on your permit, you take the behind-the-wheel test for your license. Drivers under 18 must meet extra requirements first, and their license comes with restrictions for the first year.

Know the rule

With your permit, practice with a California-licensed driver who is at least 18 years old (25 for minors) and sits close enough to take control of the vehicle if needed.

Handbook p. 9 ↗

Before a minor can schedule the behind-the-wheel test, they must:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Have held a permit from California or another state for at least 6 months (or turn 18)
  • Prove completion of both driver education and driver training
  • Practice at least 50 hours with a California-licensed driver at least 25 years old
  • Include 10 hours of night driving in those 50 hours
Handbook p. 9 ↗
50 hrs (10 at night)

Minimum supervised practice for minors, with a licensed driver 25 or older

Handbook p. 9 ↗

Provisional license

The license a driver under 18 receives; it carries the word provisional and comes with driving restrictions.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

As a provisional driver, you cannot:

  • Drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months you have your license
  • Carry passengers under 20 unless a parent/guardian or CA-licensed driver 25+ rides with you
  • Drive for pay
  • Drive vehicles that require a commercial Class A, B, or C license
Handbook p. 10 ↗

Exceptions to provisional restrictions: the note you must carry

Exceptions to provisional restrictions: the note you must carry
ReasonNote signed byNote must state
Medical need, no other reasonable transportYour physicianCondition and expected recovery date
School or a school activityPrincipal, dean, or designee—
WorkYour employerConfirmation of your employment
Driving an immediate family memberParent or legal guardianReason, family member, end date of need
Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

A parent or guardian may cancel their teen's license by completing a Request for Cancellation or Surrender of a Driver License or ID Card form.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Put it into practice

You are 17 and got your license four months ago. Your 19-year-old cousin wants a ride home at 9 p.m. The time is fine, but a passenger under 20 needs a parent, guardian, or licensed driver 25 or older in the car with you.

Put it into practice

At 11:30 p.m. you must drive home from a school play rehearsal. You may do so only if you carry a note signed by your principal, dean, or designee.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

At minimum, how old must a minor be to schedule the behind-the-wheel drive test?
  1. 14 years old
  2. 16 years old
  3. 15 years old
  4. 17 years old

Answer: 16 years old

Minors must be at least 16 years old before scheduling a behind-the-wheel drive test.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
How long must a minor have held an instruction permit before scheduling a drive test (unless they turn 18)?
  1. At least 30 days
  2. At least 3 months
  3. At least 6 months
  4. At least 1 year

Answer: At least 6 months

A minor needs an instruction permit for at least 6 months, or must turn 18, before scheduling the drive test.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
How many practice driving hours must a minor complete with a licensed driver before the drive test?
  1. At least 20 hours, none at night
  2. At least 100 hours, 25 at night
  3. At least 30 hours, 5 at night
  4. At least 50 hours, 10 at night

Answer: At least 50 hours, 10 at night

Minors must practice at least 50 hours, including 10 hours at night, with a qualified licensed driver.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
During the first 12 months of a provisional license, when can a minor generally NOT drive?
  1. Between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
  2. Between midnight and 4 a.m.
  3. Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
  4. Between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Answer: Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Provisional drivers cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months of licensure.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
A provisional driver wants to carry a passenger who is 19 years old. What is required?
  1. Nothing, the passenger is old enough
  2. Written permission from DMV
  3. The passenger must hold a license
  4. A parent, guardian, or licensed driver 25+ rides along

Answer: A parent, guardian, or licensed driver 25+ rides along

Provisional drivers can't carry passengers under 20 unless a qualifying adult of at least 25 rides along.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
A provisional driver must drive alone because of a medical need. What must they carry?
  1. A note signed by their physician
  2. A note signed by a parent
  3. A copy of their medical records
  4. A letter from DMV

Answer: A note signed by their physician

The medical-need exception requires a note signed by a physician stating the condition and expected recovery date.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
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