Take These Five Steps to Get Your California Driver's License

Written by Staff Writer

Waiting for a driver’s license is hard. Having to ask a friend to come pick you up, waiting for a bus, taking a rideshare or otherwise trying to get where you want to go isn’t fun. Fortunately, you can start the necessary training as young as 15 years old in California.

The steps to obtain a California driver's license vary slightly depending on your age. But you can satisfy many of the requirements for your first license online.

SafeMotorist offers online training, including an Online Driver Education course that can be completed by teens between the ages of 15 1/2 and 17 1/2. This course, as well as others in our catalog, is approved by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

We are always ready to help you get the training and support you need at every step of your journey. Ready to earn your license? Here are some helpful tips to help you get behind the wheel in just five steps.

Requirements for Getting a Driver’s License in California

Before you can operate a vehicle in the Golden State, you must obtain a license. To do so, you must complete appropriate training and pass both a knowledge and a skills test.

When you drive, that license must be in your possession at all times. If you are stopped or involved in a crash, you will need to present this identification.

It's possible to complete most of your application online, but you must first take several steps to learn how to drive and keep yourself and others safe on the road.

California offers several types of licenses, but most people get a basic Class C license. This license allows you to drive a personal vehicle or truck for your own use.

How to Get Your License if You're Under 18 Years Old

Minors must follow five basic steps:

  1. Get a permit
  2. Complete drivers ed
  3. Practice
  4. Take the road exam
  5. Apply for your license

As a minor, you must obtain a provisional instruction permit and hold it for six months before you can take a behind-the-wheel driving test.

You can apply for a license between the ages of 16 and 18 after completing six hours of professional training, 50 hours of driving practice with a licensed adult who is 25 or older and can show you have at least 10 hours of night-driving practice. You will also need to finish your driver education before you can take the driving test.

Once you complete the requirement and can show proof of financial responsibility (that's insurance) that meets the state requirements, you can schedule a driving test with the CA DMV.

What's the Earliest You Can Get a License in California?

It's possible to get a learner's permit in California starting at the age of 15. Until you get your unrestricted privileges, you will have to observe a variety of restrictions that ensure you stay as safe as possible while you learn to drive.

How Do You Get an Instruction Permit?

To get an instruction permit, called a provisional instruction permit, there are two pathways. The first is for those who are 15 1/2 but under 18.

If you're under 18, you will need to provide:

  • A certificate of completion or enrollment in driver education
  • A completed California Driver's License or ID card application signed by a parent or guardian
  • An application fee payment
  • A photo
  • Proof of identity (find a list of acceptable identification documents here)

You will also take the knowledge test. It's a multiple-choice test with questions that come from the California Driver's Handbook.

If you are over 18, the process is slightly different. You can get your adult instruction permit by simply completing the California Driver's License or ID card application.

You then need to schedule your appointment with the Department of Motor Vehicles. During the appointment, you will pay the application fee, have your photo taken and pass the vision exam before taking the knowledge test. You must get a score of 80% to pass the test.

How Should You Study for Your Test?

To study for your knowledge exam, start with the California Driver's Handbook. The driver’s handbook covers all the information you need to pass your written knowledge test, especially California traffic laws and regulations. It is an excellent resource for you to read through and study as you prepare to get behind the wheel of a vehicle for the first time.

What Is the Road Test Like?

During your behind-the-wheel drive test, a DMV examiner will sit in the passenger seat of the car for approximately 20 minutes. The examiner will provide instructions that will demonstrate your understanding of the rules of the road.

Actions include merging into traffic, changing lanes, executing turns and parallel parking. This is what all that practice has prepared you for.

What Happens if You Fail Your Test?

If you fail the road test, you will need to wait two weeks (14 days) before you can try again. You must pay a small fee to repeat the assessment.

You have the opportunity to take the driving test up to three times. If you fail three times, you must restart the entire application.

How to Get Your License When You're Over 18

The process for adults is like the one for teenagers. The exact steps depend on your current situation.

For example, if you've never had a license, or your out-of-state license is expired, you must get an instruction permit first, as explained above. Then you can schedule your road skills assessment.

How to Transfer an Out-of-State Driver’s License to California

If you already have a valid license from another state, you'll need to retake your knowledge test in California. You will have to surrender your current license and bring the following required items to your nearest DMV office:

  • Social Security card
  • Proof of your identity
  • Acceptable residency documentation
  • Your application fee
  • A photo
  • Vision test results
  • Your thumbprint

You have three attempts to take the California knowledge test. If you fail, you must reapply.

International Residents

A third situation may also apply. If you're from another country and want to get your CA license, follow the same steps as those who hold a current out-of-state card, with a couple of additional qualifications.

You will need to show that you are a legal resident while providing your proof-of-identity documents (like a current passport). You don’t have to worry about permits or written exams. Foreign nationals must take the road skills test, though.

More Study Resources

The CA DMV website is packed with educational resources. This website covers all kinds of educational materials, including handbooks, how-tos, sample tests and videos that can help prepare you drive safely.

Whether you're trying to pass the written test or want to check a specific state law to be sure you're doing what's right on the road, start with the state’s official site.

You can also expand your education with optional driving lessons that will make you a better, safer driver. A drug and alcohol awareness class for first-time motorists has been shown to reduce drunk-driving accidents in teenage students. A defensive driving course teaches advanced maneuvers for hazardous situations.

You can also find a variety of helpful educational resources and guides on our articles page.

What Happens if I Make a Mistake on the Road?

There may come a day when you make a mistake on the road; many people do at one time or another. It's important that you know that there are ways to get traffic tickets dismissed, helping you keep your record clear and reducing your insurance expenses. The SafeMotorist Defensive Driving course can get a ticket dismissed or meet court-ordered defensive driving training requirements.

Why Choose SafeMotorist for Your California Driver's Education?

SafeMotorist is a CA DMV-approved training provider. We offer multiple courses for new and experienced motorists alike. We make it easy to qualify for your provisional permit or dismiss a traffic ticket. Our courses include:

  • First Time Driver Education Course: This course is available to students of all ages. It is designed to reduce the risk of alcohol- or drug-related crashes. The course is available 24/7 online, and can be completed at any time within 90 days.
  • Defensive Driving: This course meets the legal requirements to get a traffic ticket dismissed and points removed from your license. Lessons cover advanced maneuvering and decision-making skills, threat assessment and other crucial concepts beyond the basic driver education course requirements.
  • California Online Driver Education: This course meets the provisional permit requirement set by the state. Teens between 15 1/2 and 17 1/2 must complete a DMV-approved education course before they can get their first restricted license. The program teaches basic traffic laws and the fundamentals of safe driving. This course is 100% online and can be completed at your pace in as many sessions as you like.

At SafeMotorist, you can start your education from anywhere on any internet-connected device and complete lessons 100% online. Sign up today for any of our California driving school courses!