Licencia de conducir de California

California Drivers License

Every year thousands of teenagers apply for their California drivers license or California learners permit. In most cases, they have a very vague idea of how to approach the application and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) does not provide clear instructions either. Read on if you would like to know how to obtain your first license to drive.

Complete California Drivers Education Course

A frequently asked question is How old do I have to be to get a driver license in California?. If you live in California, you must be at least 15 and ½ years old to apply for your California drivers permit and 16 years old to apply for your drivers license.

If you are a teenage student who seeks to apply for a California drivers permit, you should know that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires every applicant under 17 ½ years old to complete a California drivers education course and obtain the certificate of completion. The drivers education course will teach you everything you need to know to pass the California DMV permit test and prepare you for your on-road experience.

Sign Up for Driver Training - Behind The Wheel

In addition to taking a driver education course, you will also need to sign up for one of the Behind-The-Wheel driver training courses and get your proof of enrollment. Please note: you will not be taking any driving lessons at this time as you are not allowed to be behind the wheel unless you have a driving permit or a driver license, you just need to get a paper stating that you are enrolled in the course. You can sign up for behind the wheel training with any local driving school.

Apply for a Learner Permit

Once you have the certificate of completion for a driver education course and proof of enrollment for drivers training, you can schedule your permit test with the DMV. This can be done either through the CA DMV website or by calling 1-800-777-0133. You may want to try California drivers license practice tests before you go in for the real California permit test.

You will be required to do the following when you visit the DMV for your test:

1. Submit the driver license application form DL 44 (the application is available at the DMV office). Note that the application must also be signed by your parent.
2. Pay the application fee (the current application fee is $27).
3. Provide your Social Security number.
4. Give proof of your birth date and legal presence (please see the list of the documents accepted).
5. Show the certificate of completion for a DMV-approved driver education course.
6. Show proof of enrollment in Drivers Training using Form OL 392 signed by a licensed driving instructor.
7. Give your thumb print.
8. Pass a vision exam.
9. Pass the written permit test. It has 46 questions.

Behind The Wheel experience

Once you pass the permit test, you are awarded with the California learner permit. The permit is not considered valid until you go to a driving school and complete at least two hours of driving lessons with a professional driving instructor.

Supervised driving period

Keep in mind that although you have a learners permit now, it does not grant you the same driving privileges as the full unrestricted California drivers license. While operating under a permit, you must make sure to observe all California drivers permit restrictions. During this period, in addition to completing 6 hours of driver training with a professional instructor, you will also need to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving with a person over 25 and who has a valid California driver license.

Applying for a driver license

Once you fulfill these requirements and have held your learner permit for at least 6 months, you schedule your California drivers license test with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Make sure to schedule the drivers test well in advance as some locations get booked up a month in advance. This is especially true for summer months, when school's out and most kids are applying for their first California drivers license.

Interim Driver License

After you pass your driving test, you will be issued an Interim license that is valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double check your address before you leave the DMV and tell the DMV representative if your address is incorrect. If you have not received your license after 60 days, call 800-777-0133 to check the status.

If you are under 18 years of age when you receive your first license, you are issued with a provisional California drivers license. The word provisional means that although this license allows you to drive unsupervised, it still comes with certain conditions and you will need to observe these California provisional driver's license restrictions for twelve months or until you turn 18, whatever comes first. Failure to observe these driver's license restrictions may cost you your driving privilege.

Graduated Drivers License

Graduated drivers license program in California encompasses all drivers license and driver permit restrictions and requirements that are outlined above. The California graduated driver license program applies only to those who choose to obtain a driver's license before the age of 18, everyone else may follow a simplified application procedure.