California Drivers License
Ready to get your 2013 California drivers license but don't know where to start? Don't worry, we will walk you through the process and will see that you get your California drivers license in no time at all! It all comes down to learning the state driving rules, taking the California permit test (don't forget to do some 2013 practice permit test California questions first!), then getting some driving hours behind your belt and passing your California driving test! Don't worry about any of the forms or California drivers education classes at this point, just concentrate on these three basic steps that will get you your California driver's license in 2013!
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 permit test and prepare you for your on-road experience.
Sign Up for Driver Training - Behind The Wheel
Couple of years ago, all CA learners permit application also had to register for in-car driving lessons with a professional instructor prior to taking the learners permit test. This rule has been changed and you do not need to sign up with a driving school before you take the test. However, this does not mean that you won't have to take any driving lessons at all. As soon as you receive your learners permit, you must get it validated by taking at least one lessons with a pro instructor, you are not even allowed to drive with parents until you do this. You may compelete 6 hours of professional driving lessons total before you become eligible to apply for a CA drivers license.
Apply for a Learner Permit
Once you have the certificate of completion for a driver education course, 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 study the official California drivers manual and take at least one California drivers license practice test before you go in for the real knowledge exam to see how well you can do. Of course, you do not have to settle for just one practice test and you are more than welcome to do this CA DMV practice test and go through all sample questions in this California practice permit test! Investing time into studying now will definitely save you multiple visit to the DMV!
You will be required to do the following when you visit the DMV for your test:
- 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.
- Pay the application fee (the current application fee is $27).
- Provide your Social Security number.
- Give proof of your birth date and legal presence (please see the list of the documents accepted).
- Show the certificate of completion for a DMV-approved driver education course.
- Show proof of enrollment in Drivers Training using Form OL 392 signed by a licensed driving instructor.
- Give your thumb print.
- Pass a vision exam.
- 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 learners 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, so make sure to do it as soon as possible!
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's 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 CA drivers 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.
