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California’s Graduated Driver License

As you know, nothing is more dangerous or deadly to teenagers than driving. Nothing is more likely to injure or kill them than that dreaded and yet worshipped deadly weapon: the automobile.

We at Safety 1st Driving School take driver education very seriously. We know the risks associated with putting teenagers behind the wheel, and we are dedicated to educating and training our students in safe and skilled driving. Teenagers need to have a healthy fear and respect for the road.

Note: We are not advocating fear tactics for driver’s ed, because those statistically do not work for teenage drivers; however, we do try to instill in our students a respect for their automobile and an attitude of openness to learning how to become a skilled and safe driver in Orange County.

All 50 states in the U.S. have a 3-stage Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program. There are no federal laws regarding driver education, so it is up to each state individually to make laws governing their driver education and GDL programs. Research has shown that the states with the strictest laws for teenage drivers see the most reductions in teen crashes and teen driver deaths than those with more relaxed laws.

As we have stated in previous posts, most teenagers lack the full capacity to appreciate the long-term consequences of their actions and often take an overconfident or “invincibility” approach to driving. Therefore it is our job as educators – and your job as parents – to place the proper boundaries on teenage drivers, to reward them for good driving behavior and mature choices, and to restrict them where needed.

California’s Graduated Driver’s License Program

The California government has created some laws restricting new drivers. Here’s a rundown of California’s GDL program:

Stage 1 – Learner’s Permit

This stage requires 50 hours of supervised driving. At least 10 of those hours must be at night.

The driving supervisor can be:

  • a professional driver’s education instructor
  • a parent or guardian
  • an adult over 25 years of age

New drivers must also complete a minimum 6-hour driver’s education course.

Stage 2 – Provisional License

If the teenage driver has complied with all the above requirements and kept a clean driving record, he or she may proceed to Stage 2. (The student’s parent or guardian must have signed off that the student completed all the required driving practice.)

Between 16 and 18 years of age, the student may be granted a provisional license if he or she has passed a behind-the-wheel test.

Drivers under 18 years old are not permitted to use cell phones for talking or texting, EVEN WITH A HANDS-FREE DEVICE.

For the first 12 months (or until the student driver’s 18th birthday), the student may NOT have any passengers under the age of 20, UNLESS a licensed adult 25 years or older is present.

For the first 12 months, student drivers may NOT drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without a licensed adult 25 years or older (or if transporting a passenger under 20 years old).

Stage 3 – Full Privileges

If all the above requirements are met and the student has kept a clean driving record, he or she may be granted full driving privileges (but not before the age of 17).

Parents are encouraged to be aware of their teenager’s driving strengths and weaknesses and set boundaries accordingly – both for their child’s safety and also for the safety of other Orange County drivers. Freeways, night driving, driving with passengers, cell phones and radios – these are all statistically dangerous situations for a teenage driver. Sure, your kid might be upset with you, but isn’t his or her safety more important? You’re the adult – if your kid lacks the ability to make wise choices behind the wheel, do not give them carte blanche driving freedom. Driving is a privilege, not a right.

We at Safety 1st Driving School are happy to provide several packages for behind-the-wheel instruction, including the 50 hours of supervised practice driving they need in order to get their Provisional License. Check out our Packages page for more information.

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Step 1. Complete our online driver’s education course

Register for our online driver education course. After you complete the required chapters and tests, we will then send you the DMV Certificate of Completion (DL387) that you can take to the DMV when you are ready to take the written test for your learner’s permit.

Our online driver ed course is available to all California residents. You can take our course at your own pace, in your own home in your own time.

Step 2. Study for the DMV written test

You will need to study for the DMV written permit test by reading through the DMV California Driver Handbook. It will benefit you if you take your time and study the handbook so you are comfortable with the information that will be on the test.

Take your time, you don’t want to have to go back to retake the test.

Step 3. Make an appointment at the DMV to take the written exam

It is important that you call ahead of time and schedule an appointment at the local DMV so you can go in and take the written test.

The lines at the DMV are usually very long so you don’t want to waste your time waiting in line. Make sure that you are well prepared for your appointment.

Most DMV’s are open Mondays through Fridays until 5 pm; Some are also open on Saturdays for a few hours so call ahead of time and see which date and times are best for you.

Step 4. Bring necessary documents to the DMV office

  • Complete the application form DL 44, remember the DMV always requires An original to be submitted. Copies will not be accepted in any form, so make sure you have exactly what you need. You can get this form from your local DMV.
  • Have your parents or guardians sign the application form DL 44.
  • Give your right thumbprint.
  • Have your picture taken.
  • Provide your social security #
  • Verify your birth date and legal residence
  • Submit the proper form(s) for Driver Education and/or Driver Training (see below for details)
  • Pay the $28.00 application 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 license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.)
  • Pass a vision exam, if you need glasses, wear them.
  • Pass a written test, there are 46 questions on the test.
  • You need a passing score of 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.

 

Driver Education and Driver Training Form Requirements:

If you are 15  years of age, you will need to bring with you:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education) with form DL 391 (Driver Training Enrollment ) if your school has a contract with a driving school.

OR

  • Form DL 356 or forms OL 237 and OL 238 (Completion of both Driver Education and Driver Training)

OR

  • Submit form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 15 but under 18 years of age, you will need to submit:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education)

OR

  • Form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 17  but under 18 years of age, you may get your permit without the driver education and driver training certificates however, you will not be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.

Once you pass your written test, you will be issued a provisional permit. You can be issued a permit at age 15, but you cannot take the driving test or be issued a driver’s license until you are 16 years of age.

A parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver’s license, must be with you when you drive. They must sit in a position that allows them to take control of the vehicle, if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone at any time.

Before being eligible to take the driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed driver education
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver’s license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.

 

If driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools form DL 33 completed by the out-of-state school or a letter on the out-of-state school’s stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses are equivalent to California’s requirements. Instructional permits issued by another state are not acceptable

Step 5. Complete behind the wheel training

When you pass the written exam:

  • You are required to take your first 2 hours of behind the wheel training with a professional driving instructor.
  •  You may start behind the wheel training with your parent/guardian or other licensed drivers who are 25 years of age or older.
  •  You must further complete four (4) more hours of driving school instruction.
  • Complete fifty (50) additional hours of behind the wheel training with a parent/guardian or any other adult who is 25 years old or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify that you’ve had the 50 hours of practice. It is required that 10 of the 50 hours of training is done in the evening.

Step 6. Take the driving test at the DMV

To be eligible to take your driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed a driver education course
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult who is 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
  • You will also need to show registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be taking your drive test in.
  •  If you fail your drive test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.
    • Driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee is $6.00.
    • Motorcycle driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee $6.00.

 

After you pass your drive test you will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double-check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect.

If you have not received your license after 60 days, call (916) 657-7790 and they can check on the status for you. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.

Step 7. Receive provisional license upon passing the driving test

After you pass the Driving Test, you will be issued a provisional license. Your license will have the following restrictions for the next year: During the first 12 months, you are licensed to drive you must be accompanied by a driver 25 years of age or older if you drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or if you have passengers under the age of 20 in the car at any time.

Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you become 18, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.