California Driver Education & Licensing Resources
Find Your CALIFORNIA Driving Course
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Why Choose DOT Driving School in California?
DOT Driving School is your trusted source for California driving courses, driver education, and free study tools designed to help California drivers become safer and more confident behind the wheel. Tap any topic to learn more.
We offer a complete selection of online California teen drivers education, California adult driver education, defensive driving / traffic school, and other driver improvement courses. Our online courses are recommended for additional practice, skill development, and driver knowledge.
Getting licensed doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. We combine high-quality online education with powerful free study tools. Practice as much as you'd like with our Free California Permit Practice Test, designed to closely match the California DMV knowledge exam. Build real-world confidence with our Free Driver's License Simulator, where you can practice driving scenarios in a fun, interactive environment. Study California road signs, review California traffic laws, and strengthen your driving skills before ever getting behind the wheel.
From teens earning their first learner's permit and adults obtaining a California driver's license to drivers completing defensive driving or traffic school requirements — or anyone who simply wants to become a safer, more knowledgeable driver — DOT Driving School provides everything you need in one convenient place. Our courses are 100% online, self-paced, affordable, and supported by free study tools that help California drivers succeed.
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How to Get a California Driver's License
From your first learner's permit to a full California driver's license, here's the general path most California drivers follow. Always verify the latest requirements with California DMV. Tap any step to expand the details.
You must be at least 15½ years old to apply for a California instruction permit. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application and accept financial responsibility.
Teens under 17½ must complete a DMV-approved driver education course (classroom or online) and enroll in behind-the-wheel driver training — at least 6 hours with a licensed driving instructor — before receiving a permit.
Study the California Driver Handbook and take the knowledge test at a DMV office. The exam covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving, and requires an 80% score to pass. You also must pass a vision test.
Hold your instruction permit for at least 6 months and log 50 hours of supervised driving — including 10 hours at night — with a licensed adult who is at least 25 years old.
After holding your permit for 6 months, take the DMV behind-the-wheel driving test, which evaluates vehicle control, turns, parking, and safe driving in traffic.
Receive your provisional driver license at 16. For the first 12 months you may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. and may not carry passengers under 20 (with limited exceptions).
Your full, unrestricted California driver license is issued at 17 after you have held the provisional license for 12 months with a clean record.
California Driver's Education Requirements
California has specific driver education requirements for new drivers. Tap any topic to expand the details.
California requires teens under 17½ to complete a DMV-approved driver education course (classroom instruction, available online) and to enroll in behind-the-wheel driver training before an instruction permit is issued. The behind-the-wheel training consists of at least 6 hours with a licensed driving instructor.
Driver education is offered 100% online through DMV-approved providers, so you can complete the classroom requirement at your own pace. Adults 18 and older are not required to complete driver education, but they must still pass the knowledge and behind-the-wheel driving tests.
DOT Driving School connects you with recommended California driver education and behind-the-wheel training courses that help you meet the California DMV requirements and prepare for your permit and road tests.
California Permit Test Requirements
The California permit test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. Tap any topic to expand the details.
The California instruction permit knowledge test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe-driving rules from the California Driver Handbook. You must score at least 80% to pass, and you are allowed up to three attempts before you must reapply.
All applicants must also pass a vision test. Teens under 18 must hold the instruction permit for at least 6 months before taking the behind-the-wheel driving test.
Before your DMV exam, practice with our free California permit practice test — questions modeled on the California knowledge exam covering road signs, traffic laws, and right-of-way rules. Take it as many times as you'd like to build confidence before test day.
Start the free practice test →California Traffic School & Driver Improvement
California offers DMV-approved traffic school options for drivers who want to keep a traffic ticket off their record or earn an insurance discount.
An 8-hour DMV-approved course drivers can elect once every 18 months to mask one minor traffic violation so it stays off the public driving record and avoids an insurance increase.
A refresher course for drivers 55 and older that can qualify you for an insurance discount while updating your knowledge of California traffic laws and safe driving.
California Licensing Agency
California driver licensing is administered by California DMV. Tap any topic to expand the details.
California driver licensing is administered by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, commonly known as the California DMV. The DMV issues instruction permits, driver's licenses, and ID cards and maintains driving records statewide.
Learn about the California DMV →California Driver's License FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about California learner's permits, driver education, and getting licensed.
You must be at least 15½ years old to apply for a California instruction permit. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must co-sign your application and accept financial responsibility.
Yes. Teens under 17½ must complete a DMV-approved driver education course and enroll in behind-the-wheel driver training (at least 6 hours with a licensed instructor) before getting a permit. Adults 18 and older are not required to complete driver education.
You must score at least 80% on the knowledge test, which covers the California Driver Handbook. You are allowed up to three attempts before you must reapply.
You must log at least 50 hours of supervised driving — including 10 hours at night — with a licensed adult who is at least 25 years old, while holding your instruction permit.
For the first 12 months of a provisional license, you may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. and may not carry passengers under 20 years old, with limited exceptions for school, work, and family.
Yes. DMV-approved Traffic Violator School can mask one minor ticket every 18 months to keep it off your record, and drivers 55 and older can take a Mature Driver Improvement course for an insurance discount.
Disclaimer
Courses identified as “State Approved” are licensed, approved, or accepted by the applicable state agency, as specifically stated on the individual course listing. Not all courses offered through this website are state approved or state required.
DOT Driving School is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the DMV, DOT, FLHSMV, any state driver licensing agency, or any federal, state, county, or local governmental agency, except where a specific course approval or authorization is expressly stated.