Permit Requirements

The first step in obtaining a provisional license is to obtain an instruction permit. To obtain a provisional instruction permit you must:

Be at least 15, but under 18 years of age.

Fill out a DMV application form (DL 44).

Obtain your parents' or guardians' signatures on the application form.

Present an acceptable birth date/legal presence document.

Present the DMV form DL 356 showing you are enrolled in driver education and driver training during the same semester

To drive mopeds or motorcycles, you must be at least 15 1/2 and bring proof you have finished driver training (DL 356 or OL 238)

If you are at least 17 1/2, you may obtain a permit without driver education or driver training.

Provide your social security number.

Pay the required $12 application fee.

Pass an eye exam.

Pass a law test.

If you fail the test, you must wait one week before taking it again.

The provisional instruction permit is not valid until you start your behind-the-wheel driver training with an instructor or reach age 17 1/2.

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Permit Restrictions

You may use your instruction permit to practice with a parent, guardian, licensed driver 25 years of age or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor. He or she must sit close enough to you to take control of the vehicle at any time. A provisional instruction permit does not let you drive alone even to a DMV driving office to take a driving test.

If you have an instruction permit that allows you to drive mopeds or motorcycles (or any 2-wheel vehicle), you cannot carry passengers, you must ride during daylight only, and you cannot ride on any freeway.

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License Requirements

To obtain a provisional license, you must:

Be at least 16 years old.

Have held the instruction permit for at least 6 months (for applications on 7/1/98 or later).

Present a DMV form DL 356 or OL 238 showing you have finished both driver education and driver training.

Have your parent's or guardian's signature on your instruction permit verifying that you have completed 50 hours of driving practice, of which 10 hours must have been at night (refer to the Parent-Teen Training Aid Handbook which is available at any DMV office).

Pass the behind-the-wheel driving test.

If you fail, you must wait two weeks before you can take the driving test again.

Give your thumb print.

Have your picture taken.

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License Restrictions (after 7/1/98)

Provisional licensees issued a license on or after 7/1/98, may not drive unaccompanied between the hours of 12:00 midnight to 5:00 AM for the first year from the date the license is issued.

First 6 Months Restrictions

You must be accompanied and supervised by a parent, guardian, licenses driver 25 years of age or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor:

When driving between 12 midnight and 5 AM.

When transporting passengers under 20 years of age at any time.

Second 6 Months Restrictions

You must be accompanied and supervised by a parent, guardian, licenses driver 25 years of age or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor:

When driving between 12 midnight and 5 AM.

However, you may transport passengers under 20 years of age between 5:00 AM and 12:00 midnight unaccompanied.

NOTE: Local laws may further restrict or prohibit driving during specified hours.

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Exceptions to License Restrictions

The exceptions listed below are granted when a reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for the minor to drive. The minor must carry a note signed by the appropriate person and the note must explain why the minor must drive and include the date when the necessity will end.

Medical Necessity
The note must be signed by your physician and the note must contain diagnosis and probable date when recovery will end the need for the minor to drive.

School or School-authorized Activities
The note must be signed by your school principle, dean, or his or her designee and the note must include a reason for the school or school-authorized activity and the date when the activity will end.

Employment Necessity
The not must be signed by your employer and it must verify employment and the date employment will end.

Immediate Need of a Family Member
The not must be signed by your parent or legal guardian and it must include the reason and date the necessity will end.

Emancipated Minor
No documentation is needed for this exemption. However, the minor must have already declared himself or herself emancipated by completing a DMV form and by providing Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of the guarantor's signatures when he or she applied for the instructional permit.

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License Restriction Statistics

Have the revisions to the instructional permit and provisional license been a success? Yes! There HAS been an overall decline in the number of fatalities and injury crashes caused by teens.

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