What you need to get a California learner's permit
A California learner's permit lets you practice driving with a licensed adult before you take your driving test. To get one, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months old, pass a written knowledge test about traffic laws and road signs, and provide proof of identity and California residency to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
You do not need a Social Security number to get a learner's permit, though you will need one to get a driver's license later. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access, or bring a tax return or W-2 form showing you have applied.
The DMV accepts a wide range of documents for identity and residency. For identity, bring a passport, consulate ID, or school ID paired with a birth certificate. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The document must show your name and a California address.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old and pass a written test on California traffic laws to get a learner's permit.
- Bring proof of identity (passport, consulate ID, or school ID with birth certificate) and proof of California residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days).
- The written test covers road signs, speed limits, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices; the DMV provides a free study guide online.
- Once you have your permit, you must drive with a licensed adult 25 or older in the front passenger seat at all times.
- You can hold a learner's permit for up to 12 months before you must pass the driving test to get your provisional license.
How to prepare for the written knowledge test
The written test has 46 questions, and you must answer at least 39 correctly to pass. The test covers California traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and what to do in emergencies. You can take the test in English or in one of 32 other languages the DMV offers.
The DMV publishes a free California Driver Handbook online at dmv.ca.gov that covers everything on the test. You can also read it as a PDF or order a printed copy by mail. Many people study the handbook for a few weeks before taking the test; there is no time limit once you start, so you can take as long as you need to answer the questions.
If you fail the test, you can retake it the same day or come back another time. There is no limit to how many times you can take it, though you will pay the test fee each time. The fee is currently $7, though this can change.
What documents to bring to the DMV
Bring your original documents or certified copies — photocopies alone will not work. The DMV will not accept documents that are expired, though some documents like utility bills do not have expiration dates. If your documents are in a language other than English, bring the originals and an official English translation.
If you are under 18, you may need to bring a parent or guardian with you, depending on which documents you have. If you do not have a birth certificate, you can bring a passport or consulate ID instead. If you cannot bring your original documents to the DMV, you can mail them with your process, though this takes longer.
| Document Type | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Passport, consulate ID, school ID with birth certificate | School ID must be current and show your photo |
| Residency | Utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement | Must be dated within the last 60 days and show your name and California address |
| Social Security | Social Security card, tax return, W-2, or SSA letter | Not required for permit, but you will need it for a driver's license |
Restrictions that come with your learner's permit
Once you have your permit, you must follow strict rules about who can be in the car and when you can drive. You must always have a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old sitting in the front passenger seat next to you. This person must have a valid driver's license and be awake and able to exercise control over the vehicle if needed.
You cannot drive alone, and you cannot drive with only other learners or unlicensed people in the car. You also cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., even with a licensed adult present. These rules are part of California's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system, which is designed to reduce crashes among new drivers.
You must also follow all standard traffic laws — speed limits, stop signs, traffic lights, and seatbelt rules. If you get a traffic ticket or are in a crash while driving on your learner's permit, it can delay when you are allowed to take your driving test.
How long you can keep your learner's permit
You can hold a learner's permit for up to 12 months. During that time, you should practice driving in different conditions — daytime and nighttime, city streets and highways, light traffic and heavy traffic. Most people practice for several months before they feel ready to take the driving test.
If you do not take your driving test within 12 months, your permit expires and you have to start over. You will need to pass the written test again and pay the test fee again. If you do take your test and fail, you can retake it, but you must do so before your permit expires.
Once you pass your driving test, you will get a provisional driver's license instead of renewing your learner's permit. A provisional license has different rules than a learner's permit — you can drive alone, but you still cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. until you turn 18.
The cost of getting a learner's permit in California
The DMV charges a fee to issue your learner's permit and another fee to take the written test. The permit fee is currently $35, and the test fee is $7. These fees can change, so check dmv.ca.gov for the current amounts before you go to the DMV.
You pay both fees at the DMV when you explore. If you fail the test and retake it, you pay the test fee again but not the permit fee. If your permit expires and you have to reapply, you pay both fees again.
Where to go and how to schedule your DMV visit
You can explore for a learner's permit at any DMV office in California. You can schedule an appointment online at dmv.ca.gov, which usually gets you in faster than walking in without one. If you schedule an appointment, you will get a specific date and time, and you should arrive a few minutes early.
If you walk in without an appointment, wait times vary by location and time of day. DMV offices are usually less crowded early in the morning on weekdays. You can also check the DMV website to see current wait times at your local office before you go.
Some DMV offices offer online services for certain transactions, but learner's permit applications must be done in person. You will need to take the written test at the DMV office, and staff will verify your documents and take your photo for your permit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a learner's permit if I do not have a birth certificate?
Yes. You can bring a passport or consulate ID instead of a birth certificate for proof of identity. If you have neither, contact the DMV to find out what other documents you can use. Some people bring a school ID paired with other documents that show their date of birth.
What happens if I fail the written test?
You can retake it the same day or come back another time. There is no limit to how many times you can take it. Each time you retake it, you pay the test fee again. Most people pass on their second or third attempt after studying the California Driver Handbook more.
Can I drive at night with my learner's permit?
No. You cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. with a learner's permit, even with a licensed adult in the car. This rule is part of California's Graduated Driver Licensing system. Once you get your provisional license, the same nighttime restriction stays in place until you turn 18.
What if I move out of California while I have a learner's permit?
Your California learner's permit is only valid in California. If you move to another state, you will need to get a learner's permit from that state instead. Contact your new state's DMV to find out what documents and tests you need.
How old do I have to be to get a learner's permit in California?
You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old. If you are younger than that, you cannot get a learner's permit, even if you pass the written test. Once you turn 15 and 6 months, you can go to the DMV and explore.