California learner’s permit requirements
Everything here comes from California Department of Motor Vehicles pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where California doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.
Last checked September 22, 2026.
At a glance
- Minimum age
- 15 years, 6 months
- Fees
- $46 total
- Supervised driving
- 50 hours (10 at night)
- Where you take the test
- Online or in person
The knowledge test and your permit
- Time limit
- None published
- Permit and test fees
- $46 totalThe $46 original Class C application fee covers the instruction permit and knowledge-test attempts for teens and adults; there is no separate test fee.Sources 123
- Minimum age for a permit
- 15 years, 6 monthsProvisional instruction permit at 15 years 6 months with completed (or enrolled) driver education; 17.5-18 may get a permit without driver ed but cannot take the drive test until 18.Sources 125
- If you fail
- Three attempts to pass before you must reapplyminors must wait seven days to retake a failed knowledge test, not including the day of the failure. Online: two attempts online, third attempt must be at a DMV office.Sources 123
- Vision standard
- Screening standard: 20/40 with both eyes together, and 20/40 in one eye with at least 20/70 in the other,…with or without corrective lenses; applicants who fail are referred to a vision specialist (DL 62). DMV states that individuals with visual acuity of 20/200 or worse may not be scheduled for a drive test.Sources 125
From permit to full license
- Provisional instruction permit at 15.5 (driver education required; permit validated by a driving instructor before use; practice with a California-licensed driver 25+). Provisional license at 16 after holding the permit 6 months, completing driver education and 6 hours of professional driver training, and 50 hours of supervised practice including 10 at night.
- Provisional license restrictions: no driving 11 p.m.-5 a.m. and no passengers under 20 during the first 12 months unless accompanied by a parent/guardian, a licensed driver 25+, or a licensed/certified driving instructor; exceptions with signed notes for medical, school, work, or family need.
Before you go
Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official California Department of Motor Vehicles website: dmv.ca.gov.