Choose the provisional or adult path
Applicants age 15½ to under 18 use the provisional-permit path. Check the driver-education proof and parent or guardian signature requirements, including the exception for applicants age 17½ to 18.
Applicants age 18 or older use the adult instruction-permit path and are not assigned the minor’s six-month permit-holding requirement.
Prepare the application and office steps
Complete the DL/ID application and gather the required identity and California residency documents. The application and fee are valid for 12 months.
Plan for document review, a vision exam, a photo, and the knowledge test. California DMV says an in-office knowledge test must start before 4:30 p.m.
Know what follows the permit
A minor’s permit is not valid for practice until a driving instructor signs it after the first behind-the-wheel lesson. Practice requires a California-licensed driver age 25 or older who can take control of the vehicle.
Before the drive test, a minor generally needs six months with the permit and 50 hours of supervised practice including 10 at night. An adult permit holder practices with a California-licensed driver age 18 or older until ready for the drive test.