How to Start

Not sure of what you need to do go get your California driver license.

 

There are four steps to becoming a licensed driver in California.

They are:

1. Complete a driver education class, such as the on-line course we offer.

2. Apply for a learner's (provisional) permit at the DMV.
3. Learn driving skills in a formal driver training program (in-car instruction) and complete at least 50 hours of supervised practice with your parents (10 hours must be night driving).  You must have your permit for at least 6 months before taking the driving test.
4. Apply for a California provisional driver license.

Step One: Driver Education (DE).

Driver education must be taught by a public or private high school, or by a state-licensed driver education school. Parents are not permitted to teach the basic driver's education course to their home-schooled teens.  There is no minimum age to start the class but we recommend not starting until you are near the age of 15½.  This is because you can not apply for your permit until you reach the age of 15½.

 

The basic requirements are:

 

• 30 hours of classroom instruction, not including breaks.

• If you take an Internet-based course, it must be the equivalent of the requirements for classroom instruction. You can take an online course with us.

 

And, of course, you must receive a passing grade.

 

Here are links to three practice test to improve your driving knowledge:               

Practice Test           DMV Practice Test           Driving Tutorial Test             

 

Here are links to three practice test to improve your driving knowledge:               

Practice Test           DMV Practice Test           Driving Tutorial Test             

 

Step Two: Instructional (Provisional) Permit.

A learner's permit allows you to practice with a parent, guardian, spouse, or an adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver license.  Remember, the provisional permit is not valid until you start you behind-the-wheel training with an instructor or reach the age of 17½.  A provisional permit does not let you drive alone--not even to the DMV office to take a driving test.

 

You may walk-in for your permit test or you may wish to make an appointment for your test at your local DMV office.

 

You will need an original driver license application form (DL 44), copies are not accepted, signed by your parent or guardian.   If your parents won't be accompanying you to your appointment, then call (800) 777-0133 to ask the DMV to send you the form (DL 44) so your parents can sign in advance. You can also pick one up at your local DMV office.

 

On the day of your DMV appointment to earn your provisional permit.

You must:

 

• Be at least 15½, but under 18 years of age.

• Submit a completed DMV application form (DL 44) with parents' signatures.

• Present your original birth certificate or a certified copy of the birth certificate. If you're not a U.S.-born citizen, bring proof that you are a legal U.S. resident.

• Provide your true full name. 

• Provide your Social Security number.

• Pay the $31 application fee, which is good for 12 months and allows you to take the law test three times, if needed.  This fee covers the cost for both the learners permit and driver license.

• Pass an eye exam.

• Have your picture taken.

• Give a thumbprint. 

• Provide proof of completion of driver education.                                                           driver training                

• Pass the traffic laws and signs test (the written test). If you fail, you must wait one week before taking it again.  This will give you time to study.  If you have special needs, the DMV administers alternative test taking methods.

The written test is multiple choice. You must get at least 38 questions right out of 46 questions correct to pass. You can take this test a total of three times, but you must wait seven days between tests. If you fail the test three times, you'll need to start the application process over with a new Form DL 44. One more thing: All written tests must be started before 4:30 p.m., so that you have time to finish before closing.

 

Here are links to three practice test to improve your driving knowledge:               

Practice Test           DMV Practice Test           Driving Tutorial Test             

 

Step Three: Driver Training.

California requires drivers younger than 17½ to complete a DMV-approved driver training course with a licensed instructor before taking the driving test. This course must offer at least six hours of behind-the wheel instruction (3-two hour sessions).   KSD has the _LOWEST cost for driver training in all of Lake and Mendocino Counties with a most experienced instructor.

 

In addition, during the six months that you must hold a provisional permit, you're required to practice driving for an additional 50 hours (10 of which must be at night) with a parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver license. The parent or guardian will then sign your instruction permit stating you have completed the 50 hours of supervised driving practice (10 hours must be night driving).

 

Help make these practice hours be more productive, you or your parents may download a copy of the Parent-Teen Training Guide to learn what skills you will need to practice, how to document your hours, and how to make sure you understand the skills required to drive safely.

 

Step Four: Driver (Provisional) License.

First you must make an appointment at your local DMV office for the driver test.

 

On the day of your DMV appointment for your driving test.

You must:

• Be at least 16 years old.

• Prove the you have finished both DE and DT, form OL 238 (the yellow form).

• Have had a California instruction permit for at least 6 months.

• Provide a parent's signature stating you completed the 50 hours of supervised driving.

• Pass the behind-the-wheel driving test.