Key points
You must get an instruction permit before the behind-the-wheel test if you have no license from California or another state.
Source: Handbook p. 2
“If you do not have a driver’s license from California or another state, you must apply for an instruction permit before taking the behind-the-wheel drive test”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 2If you are under 18, you must be at least 15 and a half to apply for a permit.
Source: Handbook p. 3
“If you are under 18 years old, you will also need to: • Be at least 15½ years old.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 3Permit holders practice with a California licensed driver who is at least 18, or at least 25 when the learner is a minor.
Source: Handbook p. 3
“Practice driving with a California-licensed driver who is at least 18 years old (25 for minors).”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 3Minors must be at least 16 and hold a permit for at least 6 months, or turn 18, before scheduling the drive test.
Source: Handbook p. 3
“Be at least 16 years old. • Have an instruction permit from California or another state for at least 6 months (or turn 18 years old) before scheduling your behind-thewheel drive test.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 3Minors must log at least 50 hours of practice with a licensed driver 25 or older, and 10 of those hours must be at night.
Source: Handbook p. 3
“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.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 3For the first 12 months, a provisional driver may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Source: Handbook p. 4
“As a provisional driver, you cannot drive: • Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months you have your license.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 4A provisional driver may not carry passengers under 20 unless a parent, guardian or licensed driver 25 or older rides along.
Source: Handbook p. 4
“With passengers under 20 years old, unless your parent or guardian or other California-licensed driver (at least 25 years old) rides with you.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 4To drive for work during the restricted times, you must carry a note signed by your employer confirming your employment.
Source: Handbook p. 4
“You must carry a note signed by your employer. The note must confirm your employment.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 4A parent or guardian can cancel a teen's license with a cancellation request form.
Source: Handbook p. 4
“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.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 4
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 15 and a half | minimum age for a Class C instruction permit | Handbook p. 3 |
| 25 years old | minimum age of the supervising driver for a minor | Handbook p. 3 |
| 18 years old | minimum age of the supervising driver for an adult learner | Handbook p. 3 |
| 16 years old | minimum age for a minor's driver's license | Handbook p. 3 |
| 6 months | how long a minor must hold the permit before the drive test | Handbook p. 3 |
| 50 hours | supervised practice a minor needs | Handbook p. 3 |
| 10 hours | of the practice hours that must be at night | Handbook p. 3 |
| 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. | hours a provisional driver cannot drive in the first year | Handbook p. 4 |
| 12 months | how long the provisional 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. limit lasts | Handbook p. 4 |
| 20 years old | passengers younger than this are restricted for provisional drivers | Handbook p. 4 |
3 questions from the California practice test
1. How long must a California minor hold an instruction permit before scheduling the behind-the-wheel drive test?
- At least 30 days
- At least 1 year
- At least 3 months
- At least 6 months, or until turning 18
Show answer
At least 6 months, or until turning 18. An applicant under 18 must have an instruction permit from California or another state for at least 6 months, or turn 18, before scheduling the behind-the-wheel drive test. During that time the minor must complete driver education and driver training and practice for at least 50 hours with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25, ten of those hours at night. Thirty days, three months, and a full year are not the handbook's figure.
2. During the first 12 months of a California provisional license, who may supervise the holder when carrying passengers under 20, apart from authorized exceptions?
- A licensed parent or guardian, a licensed driver at least 25, or a licensed or certified driving instructor
- Any licensed driver who is at least 18
- Any passenger who is 20 or older, licensed or not
- An older sibling who holds an instruction permit
Show answer
A licensed parent or guardian, a licensed driver at least 25, or a licensed or certified driving instructor. During the first 12 months of a provisional license, the holder may not transport passengers under 20 unless accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent or guardian, a licensed driver who is 25 or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor. A licensed 18 year old does not meet the age requirement, an unlicensed passenger cannot supervise however old they are, and a permit holder is not a licensed driver. Separate exceptions exist for documented needs such as medical, school, or work necessity, each backed by a signed statement.
3. During the first 12 months of a California provisional license, which hours are off limits for driving unless a qualifying adult rides along or an exception applies?
- Between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Between midnight and 4 a.m.
- Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Show answer
Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.. For the first 12 months, a California provisional driver may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless a parent, guardian, or other California-licensed driver at least 25 rides along, or a documented exception applies and the required signed note is carried. The other windows shift the start or end time and are not the handbook's figures. The cue is the word provisional and the first year after licensing. The passenger limit on riders under 20 is a separate restriction that applies at all hours during that year.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with laws and paperwork questions from the free California practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the California Driver's Handbook, Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver's License. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.