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California instruction permit, start to finish

If you are under 18 the permit is a sequence, not a single test. Every requirement below is quoted from the official handbook — no guesses about what the DMV wants.

  1. 1

    Be at least 15½

    The handbook sets 15½ as the minimum age to apply for an instruction permit.

  2. 2

    Complete driver education

    A driver education program is required before the permit, and you must prove you completed both driver education and driver training before the drive test.

  3. 3

    Get a parent or guardian to sign

    They approve the application and accept financial responsibility. If your parents share joint custody, both must sign.

  4. 4

    Hold the permit six months

    You need the permit for at least six months — or to turn 18 — before scheduling the behind-the-wheel drive test.

  5. 5

    Practise 50 hours

    At least 50 hours with a California-licensed driver who is 25 or older. Ten of those hours must be at night.

Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025), Sections 2 and 3.

Permit practice questions

Twelve questions, each with the handbook reason behind the answer.

  1. 1.Which of the following is an example of a light-duty truck?

    Why

    A pickup is a light-duty truck and is covered by Class C. (dmv.ca.gov/dl — Section 1 of the handbook refers you there for the vehicles a Class C covers.)

  2. 2.If you have a minor crash but vehicles are drivable, you should:

    Why

    If nobody is hurt, move the vehicles out of the traffic lanes first, then exchange details. A stopped car in a live lane is a second collision waiting to happen. (Handbook, Section 10.)

  3. 3.When is it okay to drive without shoes in California?

    Why

    It is not illegal in California, but bare or loose footwear gives poor pedal feel and control. Wear something secure.

  4. 4.If your car stalls or gets stuck on railroad tracks and a train is coming, you should:

    Why

    Get out immediately and run away from the tracks diagonally, toward the direction the train is coming from. Running that way keeps you clear of the debris the impact throws forward. Then call 911. (Handbook, Section 8 — Disabled Vehicles on Railroad Tracks.)

  5. 5.Which of the following is NOT an acceptable alternative to an insurance policy in California?

    Why

    California accepts four things: a liability policy, a $75,000 cash deposit with DMV, a DMV self-insurance certificate, or a $75,000 surety bond.

  6. 6.Defensive driving is best described as:

    Why

    Defensive driving means assuming others will make mistakes and leaving yourself the time and space to absorb them.

  7. 7.In rain you should turn on:

    Why

    Low beams, not high beams: high beams bounce off the rain. (Section 8, Slippery Roads.)

  8. 8.When reviewing the driver’s manual, you should:

    Why

    Take notes and mark the key terms. Writing it down is what moves it from read to known.

  9. 9.Who is responsible for making sure all passengers under 16 are wearing seat belts?

    Why

    The driver is legally responsible for every passenger under 16 being properly restrained, not the passenger or their parent.

  10. 10.A U-turn in front of a fire station is:

    Why

    The handbook forbids both the U-turn in front of a fire station and using its driveway to turn around. (Section 6, U-turn.)

  11. 11.You are under 18 and fail the behind-the-wheel drive test. How long must you wait before retaking it?

    Why

    Minors must wait 14 days to retake a failed behind-the-wheel drive test, not including the day of the failure. (Handbook, Section 3.)

  12. 12.What makes an intersection a 'blind intersection'?

    Why

    An intersection is considered blind if it has no stop signs at any corner. The speed limit there is 15 mph, and if your view is blocked you should move slowly forward until you can see. (Handbook, Section 7.)

Practice test What is on the test The handbook

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