In California you can apply for an instruction permit at 15 and a half, and you need 80 percent on the knowledge test. Rules and fees change, so as of 2026 treat this guide as a starting point and confirm everything on the official site. The official source is the California DMV and its Driver's Handbook. Some figures below come from an older source and are marked so you can double check.
Age and score
The minimum age for a permit is 15 and a half. The passing score is 80 percent. One older source says the under-18 test has 46 questions and that you may miss 8, but that number may have changed, so confirm the current format with the DMV.
Retake waits for minors
The handbook we reviewed says minors wait 7 days to retake the knowledge test and 14 days to retake the drive test. Use the wait to practice instead of rushing back.
Practice hours and permit time
- Permit holders under 18 need 50 practice hours, with 10 at night.
- Minors must hold the permit for 6 months before the drive test.
Provisional license limits
- Curfew from 11 pm to 5 am for the first 12 months.
- Passengers under 20 are limited unless a licensed driver 25 or older rides along.
Exceptions can apply, so read the full list in the handbook.
Other rules you may see
- Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or 20 feet of a crosswalk.
- Leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist.
- Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent for adults and 0.01 percent for drivers under 21.
Notice the big gap between 0.08 and 0.01. For under-21 drivers, nearly any alcohol is a problem. Remember it as zero tolerance in practice.
How to prepare
California tests include many sign and rule questions. Read the handbook through once, then use practice tests to find weak spots. Focus on parking distances, right of way and the rules for new drivers.
A simple study plan
- Read the California Driver's Handbook in short sessions, one chapter at a time.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Take practice tests and explain every wrong answer out loud.
- Repeat your weak topics, such as right of way or parking distances.
- Sleep well the night before and bring your documents.
Confirm current fees, appointments and documents with the California DMV at dmv.ca.gov.
Tips for parents and guardians
Parents can make a big difference without taking over. Sit down with your teen once a week and ask them to explain a rule in their own words. If they can teach it back to you, they probably know it.
Look at the practice driving log together, plan a mix of daytime, night and bad weather drives, and keep the first drives in quiet places such as empty parking lots or calm neighborhood streets. Stay patient. Everyone is nervous at the start.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Studying only signs and skipping the numbers and rules.
- Using a manual from a different state.
- Waiting until the night before to study.
- Rushing through questions without reading every answer.
- Forgetting to check the document list for your CA visit.
On test day
Arrive early, bring everything on the official list, and take a few slow breaths before you begin. Read each question twice. If a question is confusing, move on to the next one if the test allows it and come back later. Staying calm is part of passing.
DMVZone practice questions are for study only. They are not the real test questions, but they help you practice the kinds of topics the test covers.