To apply for a California provisional Instruction Permit you must:

• Be at between 15 1/2 and 17 ½.
• Complete Online Driver’s and Obtain a Certificate of Completion (Pink Certificate).
• Have your Birth Certificate or passport.
• Have your Social security card.
• Have two proofs of resident, like a bank statement or a utility bill (if you’re a minor and you don’t have such thing in your name, a parent whose name in your birth certificate must bring proof of resident).
• Complete the California Driver’s License or ID Card Application (It’s an electronic application either online or at the DMV office). After completing the application, the DMV system will generate a unique code, copy the code and give it to the DMV employee at the counter when they call your number so they can locate your application. Click on the link or copy and paste to fill the DMV application below or you can do that at the DMV field office:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/dl-id-online-app-edl-44/

• Have a parent(s)/guardian(s) sign the application.
• Visit a DMV office (schedule an appointment), where you will:
• 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 Handbook, and a passing score is 80%.

Important Notes for students between the age of 15 ½ and 17 ½:

• Your provisional permit is not valid until you take your first behind the wheel training with a licensed driving school instructor. (The instructor must sign it):
• Before taking the drive test:

1. You must have held your permit for a minimum of 6 months.
2. Must practice a minimum of 50 hours (40-day time and 10 at night) with your parents or someone over the age of 25 with a valid California driver license who can set in the front passenger seat and help you practice and able to interfere in case of emergency.
3. Must complete a minimum of 6 hours of behind the wheel training with a licensed driving school. The driving school will issue a certificate of completion (The Gold Certificate) upon completing the six hours, and most likely at the end of the 3^rd

To apply for a California Instruction Permit (over age 18), you must: Be at least 18.

• Complete the California Driver’s License or ID Card 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 Handbook, and a passing score is 80%.

 Things you need to take with you to the DMV take the Behind the wheel exam, (drive test is with appointment ONLY):

• Your valid permit. If you’re between the age of 15 ½ and 17 ½, your permit must be signed by a driving school instructor to be valid and signed by a parent or guardian to certify that you have completed the minimum 50 hours of practice required by the DMV.
• Behind the wheel training completion certificate (The orange Certificate). If you’re between the age of 15 ½ and 17 ½, this certificate proofs that you’ve completed the 6 hours minimum training with a driving school required by the DMV.
• Proof of a valid insurance. This insurance is for the car you’re taking the test with and doesn’t have to be in your name.
• Valid registration for the vehicle you’re taking the test with.

Note: A Day before the drive test. Make sure that the vehicle you’re taking the test with is in a good working condition, for example, the signals, the brake lights, the driver window, the passenger door, the passenger seat belt, and the horn are in a good working condition. Make sure that windshield is not broken or cracked, the tires are not flat or bold, and none of the mirrors are missing or broken. Good luck and have a wonderful test.

Note: The day of the test:

• Show up at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time.
• Park on the regular parking lot. Not at the test lane until you’re instructed to do so.
• Check in with your documents and the licensed passenger at the drive test window (Do Not go to the START HERE LINE)
• You’ll be instructed to drive your car with your passenger to the drive test lane and have your window open and wait for the examiner to instruct the passenger to exit the vehicle and start the test.

DMV LINKS