What changed about California learner's permits during COVID-19

During the pandemic, California DMV made several temporary changes to how you could get a learner's permit. The most significant was allowing you to take the written knowledge test online instead of in person at a DMV office. California also extended the validity period of permits that were expiring, and waived some in-person requirements for certain applicants.

Most of these emergency rules have now ended. As of 2024, California has returned to standard learner's permit procedures — you take the written test at a DMV office, in person. However, some flexibility remains in how you can prepare and what documents you can submit remotely.

If you're explore for a learner's permit now, you won't encounter the COVID-era rules. But if you held a permit during the pandemic and it was extended, you should know when that extension expires and what you need to do next.

Key Takeaways

  • California's temporary online testing for learner's permits ended; you now take the written test at a DMV office in person.
  • Permit extensions that were granted during COVID-19 have expiration dates you need to track, or your permit will become invalid.
  • You can still prepare for the knowledge test using California's online study materials and practice tests, even though the actual test must be taken in person.
  • If your permit expired during the pandemic and you did not renew it, you may need to start the process process over from the beginning.

When California allowed online learner's permit testing

In 2020 and 2021, California DMV offered remote written testing through a system called Remote Online Proctored Testing (ROPT). This allowed you to take the knowledge test from home using your own computer, with a proctor monitoring you through video. The system was introduced to reduce in-person contact during lockdowns and high-transmission periods.

ROPT was available for learner's permit applicants, but not for all driver's license tests. You still had to visit a DMV office in person for your behind-the-wheel driving test and for your final license issuance. The online option was meant to be temporary and was phased out as vaccination rates increased and DMV offices reopened to normal operations.

How permit extensions worked during the pandemic

California DMV automatically extended learner's permits and driver's licenses that were set to expire between March 2020 and December 2021. These extensions added time to your permit's validity without requiring you to reapply or retake the test. The extension was a one-time courtesy to account for DMV office closures and appointment backlogs.

If your permit was extended during this period, the extension gave you extra months beyond your original expiration date. However, that extended expiration date is now in the past for most people. You need to check your permit's actual expiration date — the one printed on the card itself — to know when you must renew.

If you let an extended permit expire without renewing, you cannot straightforward walk into a DMV office and extend it again. You would need to reapply for a new learner's permit, which means retaking the written test and paying the process fee again.

What you need to do if your COVID-era permit has expired

Start by checking the expiration date on your learner's permit card. If that date has passed, your permit is no longer valid for driving or for scheduling a behind-the-wheel test. You cannot legally drive with an expired permit, even if you were granted an extension during the pandemic.

To get back on the road, you have two options. If you still have time before your permit would have expired under the original rules (before the extension), contact your local DMV office to ask whether you can renew without retesting. This is not may provide, but some offices may allow a straightforward renewal. If that is not possible, you will need to submit a new learner's permit process, pay the fee, and retake the written knowledge test at a DMV office.

How to prepare for the in-person written test now

California DMV provides free study materials online through their website, including the official driver's handbook and practice tests. You can use these resources to study at home, on your own schedule. The practice tests are designed to match the format and difficulty of the actual test you will take at the DMV office.

The written test itself covers California traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and rules of the road. It is given on a computer at the DMV office, and you must pass with a score of at least 83 percent. You can take the test in English or in one of several other languages that California DMV supports.

When you arrive at the DMV office for your test appointment, bring your completed process form (DL 44), proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted for most documents.

What happens after you pass the written test

Once you pass the knowledge test, the DMV office will issue your learner's permit on the spot. Your permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. During this time, you can practice driving with a licensed adult who is at least 25 years old and sitting in the front passenger seat.

You must schedule your behind-the-wheel driving test before your permit expires. The test is conducted by a DMV examiner at a DMV office, and you must bring your own vehicle (or use one provided by a driving school). You cannot take the driving test online or remotely — it has always been in-person and remains so.

If you have questions about your specific permit status

The fastest way to find out whether your permit is still valid or whether you need to reapply is to contact your local DMV office directly. You can call, visit in person, or use the DMV's online appointment system to schedule a time to speak with someone. Have your permit number or driver's license number ready when you call.

You can also check your permit status through the California DMV website if you have an online account. This will show you the current expiration date and whether any extensions or changes have been applied to your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use an online test if I took one during COVID?

No. California ended remote online testing for learner's permits. If you need to retake the test or renew your permit, you must do so in person at a DMV office. The online option was temporary and is no longer available.

What if my permit was extended but I never used it?

Your permit is still expired if the extended date has passed. You cannot drive with it, and you cannot schedule a driving test. You will need to reapply and retake the written test to get a new permit.

Do I have to retake the written test if my permit expired?

If your permit has been expired for a long time, yes — you will likely need to retake the test. Contact your local DMV office to ask whether a straightforward renewal without retesting is possible in your situation. This varies by office and how long your permit has been expired.

Where can I find the official California driver's handbook to study?

The California DMV website offers the official driver's handbook in English and multiple other languages, along with free practice tests. You can read it as a PDF or read it online. The practice tests are the best way to prepare because they match the format of the actual test.

Can I take my driving test online or by video?

No. The behind-the-wheel driving test has always been in person and remains in person. You must drive an actual vehicle with a DMV examiner in the passenger seat. There is no remote option for the driving test.