Permit Test Easy

Lessons · Getting a permit and a license

Getting a permit and a license

Under 18: permit at 15½, license at 16 after 6 months and 50 practice hours, then a year with no late nights or young passengers on your own.

Source: California Driver's Handbook (2025), Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver's License (What You Need, Applying For An Instruction Permit, Driving Schools, Applying For A Driver's License, Minor's Restrictions and Exceptions)

Also drawn from:

California DMV, Fast Facts FFDL 19, Provisional Licensing (rev. 7/2019), Exceptions to Restrictions (when reasonable transportation is not available)
California DMV, Learner's Permits, FAQs: I'm almost 18. Do I need to take driver education/driver training (DE/DT) in order to get my instruction permit?
California DMV, What Is REAL ID?, With a U.S. passport or other federally accepted ID you do not need a REAL ID; it is recommended
California Driver's Handbook (2025), Section 1: The California Driver's License (Class C, Card Designations, REAL ID, licenses for undocumented residents, ID cards)

Next step: From permit to license: the steps in California

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