California Driver’s License – Quick Summary

Do you intend to apply for a California driver’s license? The procedure you have to go through would depend on your age since different processes apply to different age groups. 

If you belong to the below 18 age group, you are subjected to the three-staged Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system. This means you need to undergo a supervised driving period and comply with certain requirements prior to earning your full-privilege license. Below are the steps in getting a CA driver’s license:

1. Take a DMV-approved drivers education course and earn a Certificate of Completion (also called pink slip). In California, the requirement is 30 hours of drivers ed lessons. 

2. Apply for a Learner’s Permit. Set an appointment online and bring all required documents on your scheduled visit.

3. Pass the written exam to obtain your learner’s or instruction permit. According to reports, at least 70% of test-takers fail on their first attempt. Do not be part of this statistics. Make sure you study and take your driving lessons seriously.

4. Complete the mandatory 50 hours of supervised driving with a parent or adult aged 25 who has a valid CA driver’s license. 

5. You also need to undergo a 6-hour professional drivers training.

6. Apply for a provisional driver’s license.

7. Comply with the requirements, then after enough time has elapsed (six months at the minimum) or when you turn 18, you may start applying for a full-privilege license.

If you are aged over 18 years old, you’ll have to undergo a similar process, but you no longer have to do the following steps or requirement:

• You don’t have to go through the GDL system, specifically you won’t be subjected to the requirements associated with an instruction and provisional license.

• You are not required to enroll in and complete a drivers education course.

• Your parent or guardian is no longer obliged to affix his/her signature on some documents.

• After earning your learner’s permit, you may immediately apply for a full-privilege license.

For more information about getting your California driver’s license, check out the CA DMV website. 

Click here to find out more about driving in California or sign up for California Drivers Ed or Traffic School Online.