5 Steps to Getting Your Drivers Permit

Register for either the Stanford Driving School Classroom Education or Online Driver's Education Course. After you complete the required chapters and tests, we 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's 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.

IMPORTANT! Don't forget to enroll in Behind-The-Wheel training before you schedule your DMV Written Test! You MUST show your enrollment certificate at the DMV office when applying for the permit.

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; you don't want to have to go back to retake the test.

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. Make sure that you are well prepared for your appointment. Most DMV's are open Mondays through Fridays until 5pm. Call ahead of time and see which date and times are best for you. The last DMV walkin test of the day is given at 4:30 PM.

What you need at the DMV office:

• DL44 application for driver's permit (requires both parents' signatures)
• Bring your driver's education certificate (blue) and your enrollment certificate (white)
• Bring your original birth certificate or passport
• Once you obtain your permit you are ready for your first lesson with Stanford Driving School.

All DMV paperwork is available at Stanford Driving School.

More about DMV permit requirements...
California Driver's Handbook

Once you pass the DMV written exam:

• You are required to take your first 2 hours of behind the wheel training with a professional driving instructor before driving with anyone else.
• 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.

To be eligible to take your driving test you must:

• Be 16 years old AND
• Have had your permit for a minimum of six months AND
• Have completed a driver's education course AND
• Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training AND
• 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. 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.

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.

More info about the Driving Test...