License

Teens Ask - How Do I Get a Driver's License?

Driver License Process for California Teenagers

Start by making a DMV Behind the Wheel appointment

After you have completed Driver.org Drivers Ed and have held your driving permit for 5 months, make your appointment. The DMV will only schedule 30 days in advance and appointments tend to fill up fast, so start early. Calculate the day you will become eligible and make an appointment on or after that date. You do not have to go to the same DMV office that gave you your permit, so look for available times at several nearby field offices if you can.

While you wait, read the DMV Parent-Teen Training guide and review the requirements below.

DMV Parent-Teen Training Guide

Requirements to take your Driving Test

  1. Be at least 16 years old
  2. Have Completed Drivers Ed with Driver.org
  3. Passed the DMV Written Test and received your Provisional License
  4. Have held your Permit/Provisional License fo 6 months
  5. Have completed 6 hours of professional Driver Training
  6. Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.

What documents are needed for the Behind the Wheel Test?

The documents that you’ll need to bring to your driving test include:

  • Your DMV form DL-400D (the “Gold” certificate) as proof that you’ve completed 6 hours of behind the wheel driver training with a licensed driving instructor or driving school.
  • Proof of your vehicle’s registration and your car insurance policy. The vehicle you bring for the driving test should have valid license plates.
  • Your permit signed by a licensed driving instructor — and, if you are a minor, your parent or guardian.

Be sure to wear your glasses or contacts, if you need them for driving, and bring any other items you need for driving as specified on your learner’s permit.

How do you pass the Behind the Wheel Test?

Be prepare and practice the following, they will be included in the driving test:

Left and right turns
Stops at controlled/uncontrolled intersections
Straight line backing
Lane change
Driving in regular street traffic
Driving on the freeway (if required)

  • Get enough practice. Some drivers need more practice than others. Minors (under 18 years old) must complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training (10 hours must be night driving) before taking a drive test. When you practice, pretend you are taking a drive test. Ask your accompanying driver to calmly point out your mistakes. Ask questions about driving situations that confused you. When you practice, try to correct any driving errors you made before. The DMV examiner is there to ensure you demonstrate that you can handle your vehicle in regular traffic situations, not to trick you. During your drive test, the examiner will note how you obey the rules of the road and traffic signs and/or signals. They will note other areas in which you may need improvement.
  • Practice safe driving tips. To improve your driving skills:
    • Steer smoothly at all times.
    • Accelerate smoothly. Do not rev the engine or make it stall.
    • Stop the vehicle gently. Start braking well ahead of where you must stop to avoid sudden movement. Know where to stop. Be aware of crosswalks. If your view is blocked at a crosswalk, move forward carefully and look both ways before entering the intersection.
    • Be in the correct gear. Do not grind the gears. Do not coast to a stop.
    • Always obey the posted speed limits. If needed, reduce your speed for weather, road, and other traffic conditions. Remember to turn on your headlights if you need to use your windshield wipers in poor weather conditions.
    • Follow at a safe distance. Use the 3-second rule. Increase your following distance in bad weather or poor visibility.
    • Know what the traffic signals mean and obey them at all times.
    • Use the proper lane and start a turn from the correct lane into the correct lane.
    • Signal for all lane changes and turns.
    • Always look for potential hazards (scan) and check your mirrors frequently.
    • Always look over the proper shoulder before making lane changes or pulling away from the curb.
    • Drive defensively. Anticipate another driver’s errors.
 

Review the California Driver’s Handbook (DL 600) (PDF), Safe Driver Check List, videos, and sample tests. These tools provide detailed instructions on how to correctly perform the driving actions required on a drive test following laws, rules of the road, and safe driving practices.

If you’ve taken Drivers Ed with Driver.org and had the right amount of driving practice, you’ve got this! Be careful to always use your turn signals and observe speed limits and traffic signs. Get enough rest the night before taking the driving test, take your time, stay in the correct lane, and drive safely. 

Here are the answers to a couple of the questions we hear the most from young drivers:

The 6 hours of professional driver training and 50 hours of practice driving with an adult will help you intuitively do things like wearing your safety belt and remembering to use your turn signals and obey speed limits and traffic signs. But even with all that driving experience, you might still have a few questions. 

Do I have to read the DMV Handbook if I have taken Drivers Ed?

YES! You will need to download a copy of the California Driver Handbook and familiarize yourself with it if you haven’t already done this when practicing for your written test. The Handbook will give you all the information you need to be able to pass the written driver’s license test and pass the behind the wheel driving test with a DMV examiner.

Do you have to parallel park in a California driving test?

The good news for teen drivers (and drivers of any age who don’t have a lot of experience parking on busy city streets) is that parallel parking is NOT a requirement of your driving test. The most you will have to do is curbside parking — a similar technique, but much easier because it only requires pulling up alongside a curb, not a complex maneuver between two parked cars.

What happens after I pass the driving test?

After you pass your driving test you will be issued an interim license valid for 90 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect. If you have not received your license after 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 to check on the status. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.

If you fail your driving test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass. Be sure to check with the California DMV for changes in laws and procedures.

Taking the driving test in California generally takes 20 minutes at the most, and sometimes as little as 10 minutes. We understand the anxiety that the CA behind the wheel driving test can inspire in young drivers, and we do our best to make sure you go into the test as prepared as possible so you pass the test the first time.