California Teen Driving Laws, Insurance Requirements & Driver's License

Before drivers younger than 18 can obtain a full, unrestricted driver's license, California requires them to hold an instruction permit (often called a "learner's permit") and then a provisional driver's license with restrictions.

How Does a Teen Driver Get a Driver's License in California?

Teenagers who are younger than 18, must complete the following licensing steps to get a full driver's license in California:

• Step one: Learner's permit.
• Step two: Provisional driver's license.
• Step three: Full license.

Each licensing step has its own requirements and restrictions. Teens who have completed each step can obtain a full driver's license.

Learner's Permits in California

Teen drivers who want to drive must first obtain a learner's permit if they are younger than 18. The learner's permit allows a teen to drive with supervision from an adult.

How Do You Get a Learner's Permit in California?

To receive a learner's permit, the teen driver must submit an application to the DMV signed by both parents or legal guardians—or only one parent or legal guardian if only one has custody of the teen. The teen driver also must pass a vision exam and a traffic signs and laws test and must provide proof of identity. (Cal. Veh. Code §§ 12800, 12800.7, 12802, 12803, 12804.9, 12805 (2024).)

Applicants between 15 ½ and 17 ½ years old must prove one of the following:

• they have completed driver education and are currently enrolled in a driver's training course.
• they have completed driver education and driver training, or
• they're currently enrolled in an approved integrated driver education and driver training program.

(Cal. Veh. Code §§ 12509, 12814.6 (2024).)

Teen drivers older than 17½ but younger than 18 years old can get a learner's permit without driver education and driver training but won't be able to take the driving test until they turn 18 years old. Teens who are least 17½ but younger than 18 must still pass the written exam and vision test to receive a learner's permit. (Cal. Veh. Code §§ 12509, 12804.9, 12805 (2024).)

What Are the Driving Restrictions for a Learner's Permit?

Once a teen driver has received a learner's permit, they're allowed to drive only when a parent, guardian, or adult 25 years of age or older holding a valid California driver's license is present. The adult must sit close enough to the teen driver to take control of the vehicle if necessary. The teen permit holder isn't allowed to drive alone. (Cal. Veh. Code § 12814.6 (2024).)

Provisional Driver's Licenses in California

After holding a learner's permit for at least 6 months and completing specific requirements (discussed below), a teen driver may be eligible for a provisional driver's license with restrictions.

How Do You Get a Provisional Driver's License in California?

To apply for a provisional driver's license, a teenager must be at least 16 and younger than 18 years old. The driver must meet the following requirements to qualify for a provisional driver's license:

• possession of a learner's permit for at least six months
• completion of driver education and driver training
• 50 hours of supervised driving experience, with 10 of those hours at night, and
• passing a driving test.

(Cal. Veh. Code § 12814.6 (2024).)

What Are the Restrictions for a Provisional Driver's License?

For the first year after obtaining a license, the motorist can't drive with a passenger younger than 20 years of age (unless a licensed driver who is 25 or older is in the vehicle). During the first year as a licensed driver, a teen also can't drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. (Cal. Veh. Code § 12814.6 (2024).)

The above restrictions don't apply under some circumstances. The driver can drive alone in the restricted hours—or with an immediate family member younger than 20—if:

• a physician has signed a note stating that the driver has a medical necessity
• a principal or school administrator has signed a note stating that driving is necessary for school activities
• an employer has signed a note stating that driving is necessary for employment purposes,
• a parent or guardian has signed a note stating that driving is necessary for the immediate need of a family member, or
• the driver is an emancipated minor.

(Cal. Veh. Code § 12814.6 (2024).)

For all motorists younger than 18 years old, it's unlawful to use a mobile communication device, including hands-free accessories, while driving a motor vehicle—unless the call is for emergency services. (Cal. Veh. Code § 23124 (2024).)

How Do You Get a Full Driver's License in California?

If you have a provisional license and a clean driving record, the state will lift the license restrictions after 1 year or on your 18th birthday, whichever is earlier. In other words, you'll have a full license with full driving privileges.

Do Permit Drivers Need Insurance in California?

The State of California requires the parent or guardian of a teen driver to accept financial responsibility for the new driver. Vehicle owners and drivers must carry the following minimum 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, and
• $5,000 for property damage for each accident.

The teen driver must carry proof of financial responsibility such as liability insurance in the vehicle at all times. The teen must provide the policy and an identification card as proof of coverage. (Cal. Veh. Code §§ 16028, 16056 (2024).)