California Driving Permit

1. Take I DRIVE SAFELY's Online Driver Education course

(You must be 15 years old in order to take Drivers Ed.)

• Pass the course (which you'll do. We guarantee it.)
• Once you pass the course, we'll send you your Certificate of Completion (Form OL 237).
• Bring your Certificate of Completion form with you to the DMV. This will prove you've passed the course and allow you to take your Permit Test.

2. Enroll in a Behind-The-Wheel Training Class - but don't take the class yet!

(Minimum age: 15 years, 6 months)

• Sign up for Behind-The-Wheel Training. (This is a 6 hour course.)
• The Behind-The-Wheel School will issue you a Form OL 392.

3. Get Your Permit at The DMV

• Fill out the DMV Form DL 44 (See FORMS YOU'LL NEED)
• Take the DMV Form DL 44, Behind-The-Wheel School's Form OL 392 and our Certificate of Completion (Form OL 237) to the DMV.
• Pass a written traffic law and sign test (There are 46 questions on the test. A passing score is at least 39 correct answers. You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again. Bummer!)
• Pass a vision exam
• Pay the fee! (This fee entitles you to three exams of any type within the 12-month period and pays for both the instruction permit and the driver's license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.)
• Get your picture taken
• Give a thumb print
• You'll also need to bring:

  Your original birth certificate or certified copy. OR an acceptable birth date/legal presence document. Some acceptable birth date/legal presence documents are:

  U.S. Birth Certificate

  Proof of Indian Blood Degree

  U.S. Passport

  U.S. Armed Forces ID Card

  Certificate of Naturalization

  Permanent Resident Card

  A foreign passport or Mexican Border Crossing Card with a valid I-94

  Proof that you are a US Citizen

  Documentation stating your true full name. True full name verification documents are:

  Adoption documents - containing your legal name as a result of the adoption

  Name change documents - containing your legal name both before and after the name change

  Marriage Certificate

  A certificate, declaration, or registration document verifying the formation of a domestic partnership

  Dissolution of marriage document - containing your legal name as a result of the court action

  Your Social Security Number (which will be verified with the Social Security Administration, so no shenanigans.)

As soon as you pass your written test, you will be issued a permit.

4. Pass a Behind-The-Wheel Training Course

• Complete at least 6 hours of professional driver training
• Legally, you must complete this course before moving on and practicing with your parent or legal guardian

5. Practice! Practice! Practice!

• All right, you're done with the Professional Driving Instructor, now comes the hard part - driving 50 HOURS with your parents! (Word to the wise - be calm, smile a lot and try not to get too frustrated - even though every bone in your body will be aching to yell! But remember - this ain't no picnic for your parents either.)
• 10 of these hours must be done at night
• These 50 hours cannot be done in less than 6 months. (In other words, once you pass our Drivers Ed online course and the Behind-The-Wheel training, you have to wait 6 months to apply for your license.)

6. Apply for your Driver's License

• You've gotta be at least 16 years old to apply
• And you have to have had your permit for 6 months before you can apply for your driver's license
• Things you'll need to take with you to the DMV:
  Proof of completing Drivers Ed and Behind-The-Wheel training
  A signed permit by either your parent, guardian, or instructor
  A valid vehicle registration
  Proof of insurance
  An acceptable birth date/legal presence document
  Provide proof of your true full name
  Provide your Social Security Number

Oh, an ALWAYS make an appointment at the DMV. Otherwise, you might be 17 by the time you get to the head of the line.

We don’t mean to scare you but consider this – MOST new drivers fail their DMV Written Exam the first time they try it.  So, BEAT THE STATISTICS!  Here’s how.

We offer state-specific Practice Test Packages that can help you beat the odds and pass your written exam the very first time. Written by professional instructors, these packages are designed to TEACH you what you need to know to succeed. Use it to review all the questions one at a time or to generate realistic exams - or do both. Any way you look at it - practice makes perfect. And with I DRIVE SAFELY Permit Practice test, you're bound to come out a winner with your permit in hand