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California Driver's License Guide: Get Started with CIS Driving School Support"
marc beasley • May 1, 2024
“The first milestone on the road to getting your California driver’s license (DL) is to obtain your provisional instruction permit, sometimes called a “learner’s permit.” This is for people who are learning to drive and working on the requirements to get a DL.
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To apply for a California Instruction Permit (under age 18), you must:
Be at least 15 ½ but under 18.
Have a Certificate of Completion/Enrollment of Driver Education.
Complete the California Driver’s License or ID Card Application.
Have a parent(s)/guardian(s) sign the application.
Visit a DMV office (schedule an appointment), where you will:
Bring your California Identification Card or proof of identity and residency. (Federal Noncompliant/REAL ID/AB60)
Pay the application fee.
Pass a vision exam.
Take a photo.
Take the knowledge test(s). There are multiple choice questions based on the California Driver’s Handbook, and a passing score is 80%.
Please refer to Provisional Licensing for additional information; https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/instruction-permits/#:~:text=The%20first%20milestone,for%20additional%20information.
For additional support and resources in your journey to obtaining a California driver’s license, consider checking out CIS Driving School. They offer valuable assistance and guidance to help you become a confident and responsible driver.”
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Getting your driver’s license can be an exciting process, but also one that requires a lot of preparation and responsibility. The process varies slightly depending on where you live, but generally, these are the steps: Understand your State’s Requirements: Every state has its own set of rules and regulations for getting a driver’s license, especially for new drivers under the age of 18. The specifics can usually be found on your local DMV website. Take a Driver’s Education Course: Most states require teens to take a driver’s education course. These classes provide necessary knowledge about traffic rules, driver’s safety, and operating a vehicle. It often includes both classroom (or online) learning and driving practice. You can consider enrolling in a reputable driving school like CIS Driving School to get professional instruction. Apply for a Learner’s Permit: Usually, at the age of 15 or 16, teens can apply for a learner’s permit. This typically involves passing a written test based on your state’s driving manual. With a learner’s permit, you can practice driving, but usually under certain restrictions (such as having an adult present in the vehicle). Practice Driving: With your learner’s permit, spend plenty of time practicing driving. The more practice you get, the better driver you will be. Some states require a certain amount of practice hours before you can apply for a driver’s license. Take the Driving Test: After you’ve practiced driving and you’re confident in your skills, you can schedule your driving test at the DMV. The driving test usually includes a vision test, a written test (if not previously taken for your permit), and a practical driving test where you will drive with an instructor and be scored based on your abilities. Apply for Your License: Once you’ve passed the driving test, you can apply for your license. This usually requires paying a fee, and may include other requirements such as providing proof of insurance. Remember, getting your driver’s license comes with a great deal of responsibility. Always obey the rules of the road and be a safe, cautious driver.
Knowledge And Drive Tests Preparation Safe Driver Checklist Before obtaining a California driver’s license (DL), passing knowledge and drive tests is essential to demonstrate understanding of road rules and safe driving practices. Here are resources to aid in your preparation. Prepare for Your Knowledge Tests To succeed in knowledge tests: Review the California Driver’s Handbook: This comprehensive resource covers crucial information. Dedicate a few days to absorb its contents. Read Test Questions Carefully: Questions have one correct answer, with other choices either obviously wrong or not appropriate. No trick questions; answers are derived from the handbook. Stay Calm: The DMV aims for your success. If you miss a question, the field office employee can guide you to the correct answer’s page. Resources: California Driver’s Handbook: General driving skills and road rules. Samples of Driver’s License Knowledge Tests: Practice tests for various licenses and classes. Motorcycle Driver Handbook: Information for the motorcycle DL knowledge test. California Commercial Driver Handbook: Materials for the commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge test. DMV YouTube Playlists: Visual resources for better understanding. Additional Testing Materials: Supplementary material to assist in knowledge test preparation. Prepare for Your Behind-the-Wheel Drive Test First-time DL applicants and others meeting specific conditions must pass a behind-the-wheel drive test. This evaluates your ability to safely operate a vehicle, use safe driving habits, and apply traffic laws in real-life situations. Drive Test Components: Pre-drive Safety Check: Ensures your vehicle meets minimum safety standards and you’re familiar with its operation. Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE): A behind-the-wheel test with a DMV examiner assessing your driving skills. Additional Drive Test Types: Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation (SDPE): For applicants with physical, mental, or vision conditions, or lacking skills impacting safe vehicle operation. Area Driving Performance Evaluation (ADPE): Restricts your driving to specified areas upon successful completion. Resources for Drive Test Preparation: California Driver’s Handbook: General driving skills and rules of the road. California Motorcycle Handbook: Information on safe motorcycle operation. Need something else? Get an Instruction Permit: If you’ve never held a DL, obtain a provisional instruction permit for at least six months before applying for a California DL. Renew Your DL: Learn how to renew your DL as the expiration date approaches. REAL ID: Starting May 7, 2025, a federal compliant card (e.g., passport, military ID, or REAL ID) is required for domestic flights and access to some federal facilities. For further assistance, visit CIS Driving School.
Instruction Permit Requirements To decrease motor vehicle collisions involving teens, a special “provisional” driver license (DL) and instruction permit are issued to minors. A minor is a person under 18 years old. To obtain a provisional instruction permit in California, you must: Be at least 15 1/2 but under 18 years old. Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application (DL 44) form, which includes your social security number, if eligible. Have your parents or guardians sign the DL 44. If both parents or guardians have custody, both must sign. Present an acceptable birth date/legal presence document or identity document. Refer to the California Driver Handbook or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website at www.dmv.ca.gov for additional information. Provide a certificate of completion of driver education or enrollment in an integrated driver education/driver training program issued by the school providing the instruction. If your driver education or driving training courses were taken in a state other than California, DMV may accept a To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools (DL 33) form completed by the out-of-state school. You may obtain a DL 33 form at your local DMV field office, or by calling DMV at 1-800-777-0133. EXCEPTION: If you are at least 17 ½ years old, you may obtain an instruction permit without completing driver education or driver training. However, to get a DL, you must provide proof that you have completed driver education and driver training or wait until you are 18 years old. Pay the required application fee. Pass a vision exam. Have your photograph taken. Give a fingerprint. Pass a knowledge test. To pass the knowledge test, you may miss no more than 8 questions. If you fail, you must wait 7 days (1 week), not including the day the test was failed, before retaking the test. Instruction Permit Restrictions Your instruction permit is not valid until you begin driver training; your instructor will sign the permit to validate it. You may use your instruction permit to practice with a licensed: Parent or guardian. California driver 25 years old or older. Certified driving instructor. The person must have a valid DL in their possession and should be positioned to allow them to take control of the vehicle if needed. An instruction permit does not let you drive alone at any time—not even to a DMV office to take the driving test. DL Requirements To obtain a DL in California, you must: Be at least 16 years old. Have held your instruction permit (in California or another state) for at least 6 months. Provide proof of completion of driver education and driver training. Provide a parent(s) or guardian(s) and instructor(s) signature(s) on your instruction permit verifying that you have completed 50 hours of driving practice (10 hours must be night driving). Refer to the Parent-Teen Training Guide, available at any DMV office or online at www.dmv.ca.gov, for more information. Schedule a driving test online at www.dmv.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-777-0133 during normal business hours. Pass the driving test. If you fail, you must wait 2 weeks, not including the day the test was failed, before taking the driving test again and pay a retest fee for each subsequent driving test. If you fail the drive test 3 times, you will be required to reapply and pay all applicable application fees. DL Restrictions During the first 12 months, a minor cannot: Drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Transport passengers under 20 years unless accompanied by a licensed: Parent or guardian. California driver 25 years old or older. Certified driving instructor. Local laws may further restrict or prohibit driving during specified hours. It is against the law for drivers under 18 years old to use a cellphone or other wireless electronic communication device while driving, including a hands-free device, unless making a call for emergency services or on private property. Exceptions to Restrictions: When reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive, the law allows for certain exceptions. For additional information or to start your driver education, visit CIS Driving School.