The road to your license starts here
Online Driver's Ed for
Our course helps you learn quickly and easily, using state-specific questions and easy-to-understand answers.
- Approved by the California DMV
- Save 80% off traditional drivers ed
- Free 3 months roadside assistance
- 99.5% student pass rate on the DMV exam
CA REAL ID License Update
The California DMV has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in addition to standard non-compliant driver’s licenses. The REAL ID allows you to use your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings after October 1, 2020. You can choose to receive either a REAL ID or a standard driver's license—details are outlined below.
Steps to getting your first license: Teens 16-17 years old. Things to know. To get your driver license, you must: Be at least 16 years old at the time we issue your license. Be a Washington (WA) resident (your license must show your residence address). Successfully complete an approved driver training course. At age 16, the driver may apply for an intermediate license. The intermediate license allows the driver to drive alone except during a late night curfew (1 a.m. The driver and passengers must use seat belts, be free of alcohol and drugs, and obey the traffic laws.
Getting Your New Driver's License in CA
For teens, getting a driver's license is an exciting experience. Just think about it! No more trying to catch a ride to the mall or waiting around for your parents to pick you up after practice. Once you have your California driver's license in hand, those days will be long gone.
Although the process of getting your license might seem complicated, we've made it much easier to understand by explaining the process in a simple, easy to follow manner.
AB-60 Driver's License California residents who cannot provide proof of legal presence in the U.S. are able to get a CA driver's license under the AB-60 law. California began implementing the law in early 2015. There are special regulations and required documents for an AB-60 license.
Age Requirements
- Junior permit: 14 years old IF you can prove eligible hardship.
- Provisional permit:
- 15 1/2 years old WITH completion of driver's education.
- 17 1/2 years old WITHOUT completion of driver's education.
- Provisional license: 16 years old WITH completion of driver's education.
- Full driver's license: 18 years old and older.
Step 1: Driver's Ed
Driver's Ed is required for all California teens between 15 1/2 years old and 17 1/2 years old. You'll need to first complete a course before applying for your learner's permit.
Your driver education course should:
- Consist of at least 25 hours of instruction.
- Be taught at either your high school or by a state-licensed driver's education school.
If you have reached 17 1/2 years old, you may apply for your permit without having first taken a driver's education course, but it is strongly recommended that you go through a Driver's Ed program to fully prepare yourself for the road.
For more information about California's driver's education requirements, please visit our Driver's Ed page.
Take Your Pick—Online or Classroom Driver's Ed
California allows you to take a Driver's Ed course in a traditional classroom setting, or you can complete it online. The advantages of taking it online have increased dramatically in recent years. The important thing is that you get to choose!
Step 2: CA Provisional Permit
The first milestone on your path to your driver's license is obtaining a provisional permit.
The process differs slightly depending on:
- Your age*—If you're between 15 1/2 years old and 17 1/2 years old, make sure you've FIRST completed a Driver's Ed course. Without driver education, you'll need to wait until you're 17 1/2 years old to get your permit.
- Your application type—California offers both a federally-compliant REAL ID permit/driver's license and a non-compliant permit/license. The required documents differ slightly based on whether you want a REAL ID or non-compliant license.
After you've polished your skills with a practice test, it's time to head to the DMV for your vision exam and written knowledge test.
Ace Your Exam on the First Try!
Don't leave your permit test to chance—take our free permit practice test with questions directly from the CA driver handbook. It's the fastest, easiest way to set yourself up for success!
Here's what you need to bring:
- A completed Driver License and Identification Card Application with your parent/guardian's signature.
- You can complete and submit the online application ahead of time, or complete it in person at your DMV office. The online application has a place for your parents to electronically sign.
- Proof of your:
- Identity.
- Social security number (SSN).
- You can provide your SSN at the DMV, where they'll verify it electronically.
- CA residency.
- The DMV provides guides to acceptable documents based on whether you're applying for a REAL ID permit or non-compliant permit. Your parents can provide some of the documents that you may not have yet (such as proof of residency).
- A certificate of completion for your CA driver's education course.
- Not required for applicants at least 17 1/2 years old.
- Payment for the $36 fee.
Your written exam will be made up of 46 questions about California traffic laws, road signs, and rules of safe driving taken from the CA DMV Handbook. A passing score is at least 37 correct answers; you'll have 3 chances to pass. If you fail, the DMV requires you to wait 7 days before testing again.
Your initial $36 fee covers a total of 3 exams in a period of 12 months and pays for both your learner's permit and provisional license. However, if all requirements are not met within the 12 month period, the application is considered void and all steps must be repeated.
Next up: practicing your driving skills behind the wheel!
*NOTE: Some drivers who are at least 14 years old MAY apply for a junior permit if a family, work, or health hardship can be proven. See 'Other California Driver's Licenses' below for details.
Step 3: Behind-the-Wheel Practice
Once you have your provisional permit, it's time to get busy and get practicing. How much practice, you ask? Good question.
With your California learner's permit in hand, you must:
- Log 50 hours of practice driving with a licensed driver over 25 years old.
- 10 hours of the 50 hours must be at night.
- Complete an additional 6 hours of driver training with a professional instructor.
Once you are behind the wheel, don't forget to keep all your attention on the road. Distracted driving is the cause of many serious injuries and even deaths on a daily basis. Learn more about the dangers of driving distracted by visiting the Distracted Driving section of our website.
Step 4: CA Provisional License
After you have held your learner's permit for a minimum of 6 months (and you are at least 16 years old), and you have completed your 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, you may take your road exam and apply for your intermediate driver's license, called a provisional license.
DMV Road Test
When you make your appointment for your behind-the-wheel driving test, you will need bring the following with you:
- Your learner's permit.
- Proof of vehicle registration and insurance for the vehicle you will be taking your driving test in.
- Your parent or guardian.
The examiner will take you through standard vehicle operations, both within the car and on the road. This is where all your driving practice pays off!
If you need a couple tries to pass your exam, that's okay! Just note that you'll have to pay a $7 fee for each retest. The DMV asks you to wait at least 2 weeks before retesting. If you fail your test 3 times, you'll need to start back at the beginning and submit another application.
After you pass your test, the next step is exchanging your permit for your provisional license.
Provisional License Application
After you pass your DMV road test, you'll turn in your documents to receive your provisional driver's license. Be prepared to:
- Submit your:
- Provisional permit.
- Behind-the-wheel driving log, signed by your parent/guardian.
- Proof of your professional driver's training course.
- Receipt from your road test showing you passed.
- Have your photo taken.
- Provide any required documents to upgrade to a REAL ID license, should you choose to do so at this time.
You can now drive solo without supervision; however, during the 12 months of licensing, there will be a couple restrictions on your CA provisional license:
- You can't drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- You can't have any passengers under 20 years old in your car, unless you're with a licensed driver over 25 years old.
The only exceptions to these restrictions are if you need to travel for:
- A medical emergency or the immediate need of a member of your family.
- School or work-related necessities.
- Employment purposes.
Once you turn 18 years old, the California provisional license restrictions will fall off, and you will be the proud carrier of an unrestricted California driver's license! Congratulations!
You can track your progress and share it with your friends with our new driver's license checklist.
Become An Organ Donor Today!20 people pass away every single day waiting for an organ transplant. You can make a difference.
Click HERE to learn more!
New to California?
If you've already taken a Driver's Ed course in another state, you cannot use an out-of-state learner's permit for your proof of course completion. Instead, the California DMV will accept one of the following:
- A completed 'Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools' form (DL 33) completed by your out-of-state secondary school. You can request this form by calling (800) 777-0133 or pick one up at your nearest DMV office.
- A letter printed on school stationery and signed by a school official from your out-of-state secondary school stating that you completed a course equivalent to California's as described in Section 10020 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
Other California Driver's Licenses
Apart from your standard driver's license, there are a couple other permits and licenses you can obtain as a California teen. These include:
- Motorcycle learner's permits.
- Junior permits.
Each permit type is outlined below.
California Motorcycle Learner's Permit
Want to travel on two wheel instead of four? Getting a CA motorcycle permit is similar to the processes described above, but you'll need to study some more motorcycle-specific content.
Check out our CA Motorcycle License page to get all the info on exams, permits, and licenses.
California Junior Permit
Some young Californians may apply for a Junior Permit. The Junior Permit is for Californians who:
- Are 14 years old but less than 18 years old.
- Can show that a hardship forces them to drive alone due to:
- Family illness.
- School.
- Work.
- Family enterprise.
To apply for a Junior Permit, you must:
- A completed Driver's License or Identification Card Application.
- Complete an Application for Junior Permit(Form DL 120).
- Depending on the hardship you're claiming, the form requires signatures from your parent/guardian, and also potentially from your school principal or employer.
Related Products and Services
DMV.ORG Insurance Finder
Join 1,972,984 Americans who searched DMV.ORG for car insurance rates:
Organ Donors are Heroes
Make a difference in someone’s life. Register to donate your organs, eyes, or tissues today.
Nervous about Your Driver's Test?
Prepare with a 100-question practice test for just $14.99.
Latest DMV.ORG Articles
1. Prepare for the DMV Written Test With an Online Practice Test
In order to get a learners permit, you must pass the written knowledge test in your state. The learners permit exam will test your understanding of driving rules to ensure that you are ready to operate a vehicle on state roads. Seven out of 10 drivers fail the written test on their first try. However, by taking a premium DMV.com practice test, you are 5 times more likely to pass the exam on your first attempt. Premium online practice tests cover all the major topics that you will see on the official exam, from road signs to regulations. In addition to preparing for the written test, most states require you to pass a drivers education course, and you will be required to submit a learners permit application, payment for fees and proof of your identity, residency and citizenship to the DMV.
2. In Person at the DMV
When applying for a learners permit at the DMV, you will be asked to provide identification documents that verify your full name, date of birth, state residency and citizenship status. Note that states will also require you to submit a drivers ed completion certificate if a program is required in that state. Additionally, you are required to pass a written knowledge exam and pay for all applicable fees. To make sure that you are prepared for test day, schedule an appointment with the DMV ahead of time. Furthermore, to avoid additional visits to the DMV due to potential mistakes, double-check that you have all the correct paperwork before making a visit.
First-time drivers need to get a learners permit in New Jersey before they are allowed to operate a vehicle on state roads. The minimum age for drivers is 16, and the application requirements vary based on when you first choose to start the process.
To get a drivers permit in New Jersey at 16 years of age, for instance, you need to take a drivers education course. Drivers who are 21 years of age or older, on the other hand, will be able to go through an expedited application process.
Below, you will learn everything you need to know about getting a New Jersey DMV learners permit, including how much a permit costs, which tests you need to pass and more. You will also learn about the restrictions placed on permit holders.
Did you know? More than half of drivers license applicants in New Jersey fail the knowledge test on their first try. Utilize our practice permit tests in order to get familiar with the type of questions you will have to answer on the actual exam day.
New Jersey Learners Permit Eligibility Guidelines
Drivers permit requirements in New Jersey vary based on when you choose to get your license. If you are 16 years of age, you will need to be taking a drivers education course in order to qualify for the Student Learners Permit.
Applicants this age will then need to practice driving for a minimum of six months. Once you turn 17 years of age, you will be eligible for the Probationary Driver License. This license requires you to go to the DMV with your driving instructor in order to pass the road test.
If you get your first permit between 17 and 20 years of age, you will qualify for the Examination Permit, as opposed to the Student Learners Permit. This permit does not require you to be taking a drivers education course. Instead, you will need to drive for six months with an adult supervisor and pass a road exam in order to get your Probationary Driver License.
Applicants who are at least 21 years of age will need to get the Examination Permit. However, you will only need to drive with an adult supervisor for three months before you qualify for the road exam. Passing this road exam will allow you to get the Probationary Driver License.
No matter your age, you will need to drive with the Probationary Driver License for a year to qualify for a standard drivers license. This learning license does not require you to drive with an adult supervisor.
No matter which drivers learners permit you get, you will need to be a resident of New Jersey who is legally allowed to be in the US. Additionally, you will be required to pass both an eye exam and a knowledge test. If you apply for a permit as a minor, you will need the consent of a parent or guardian.
How to Apply for a Learners Permit in New Jersey
Getting a learners permit in New Jersey requires you to go to a DMV office in-person. You are not allowed to apply to this type of permit through any other method. When deciding where to get a learners permit in New Jersey, you will want to check with your nearest DMV office ahead of time to determine whether it administers permit tests. If it does, you can take the tests at the same time that you apply for your permit.
In order to apply for your learner permit, you will need to fill out and submit the Auto Permit Application. This application is not available online, so you will need to fill it out at the office. It will ask you for basic information about yourself, such as your name, Social Security Number and address.
You will also need to bring the following:
- One primary and one secondary document showing your identity
- One document showing your New Jersey residency
- One document showing your Social Security Number
For their primary identity document, US citizens may use the following:
- Adoption papers.
- A birth certificate.
- Certificate of Naturalization.
- Certificate of Citizenship.
- Military ID.
The preferred primary identity documents for non-US citizens, who are applying for a learners permit, are a foreign passport, Permanent Resident Card, I-327, I-571 or I-94. A Temporary Resident Card or Employment Authorization Card may also be used.
The secondary identity document will most likely be a photo ID, such as a school ID or employee ID. However, your secondary proof of identity may also be a marriage certificate, divorce certificate, school diploma, health insurance card, Social Security card, tax statement or bank correspondence.
Your proof of residency can be any document showing your name and address. Common examples include insurance policies, tax statements and school transcripts.
Understanding how to apply for a learners permit in New Jersey means understanding how the state’s point system works when providing identity documentation. New Jersey weighs forms of identification differently, and it requires the documents you bring to add up to six points.
US citizens will automatically qualify, since the documents they show easily add up to six points. Non-US citizens bringing one of the preferred primary documents listed above will also qualify.
However, if your primary document is a Temporary Resident Card, Employment Authorization Card or a Permanent Resident Card that does not list an expiration date, your documents may not add up to six points. For more on the values of each document, consult the New Jersey Driver Manual.
The New Jersey Drivers Permit Test
The New Jersey DMV permit test is designed to show that you have the knowledge required to drive responsibly on state roads. This drivers permit test has 50 questions, covering topics such as:
- Basic driving maneuvers, such as turn signals and stopping.
- How to drive safely.
- The consequences of unsafe driving habits, such as drinking and driving.
An online drivers test is not provided, because the DMV needs to ensure you are completing the test by yourself. That said, the New Jersey learners permit test may be administered in eleven languages, including sign language.
A New Jersey drivers permit practice test is not provided by the state DMV. Instead of taking a DMV practice permit test, the state encourages you to thoroughly study the Drivers Manual, as all of the information in the test will be covered in the manual. If you want to take a practice test, you will need to take one from a private entity.
New Jersey Driving Permit Rules and Restrictions
New Jersey driving permit rules are designed to slowly introduce you to the responsibilities of driving. This means that motorists who are 16 years of age always need to drive with a licensed adult in the vehicle, while Examination Permit holders will need to drive with a licensed adult for the first six months after they have received the permit.
Permit driving hours are from 5 a.m. to 11:01 p.m. Permit holders who need supervision may only drive during these hours, unless they are at least 21 years of age. Exceptions are made for the purposes of work or religion.
Below you will find two commonly asked questions about learners permit rules in New Jersey:
- Can you drive with a permit in New Jersey if your supervising adult has a drivers license from a different state? No, your supervising adult must have a valid New Jersey license. Additionally, supervising drivers must have driving privileges for at least three years.
- How long does a learner’s permit last in New Jersey? Permits last for two years.
New Jersey Learner Permit Fees
The fee for learners permits in New Jersey are the same for Student Learner Permits and Examination Permit, but different for Probationary Licenses.
You can see these prices below:
- The DMV permit cost is $10
- The learner permit fee for testing is $10.
- The Probationary License cost is $14.
Last updated on Tuesday, March 5 2019.
Sources
- The New Jersey Driver Manual from state.nj.us
- Initial License from state.nj.us