Provisional Instruction Permit
EVERYONE, including teens minimum ages 15.5+ and up, or adults ages 18+ and up. You will all need a learner's permit issued by the California DMV prior to scheduling any driving lessons with us. Only exception? If you have a valid driver's license from within the United States. If you have a valid driver's license from your home country, please proceed to obtaining a California issued Provisional Instruction Permit (pictured below) prior to scheduling any behind-the-wheel driving lessons with us. Thank you!
IMPORTANT: Teens minimum age of 15.5 and under the age of 18, must complete online driver's education to earn a pink certificate (pictured above). If you're age 18+ and up, you may skip to the next steps on how to obtain your Provisional Instruction Permit. Teens will earn their gold certificate (pictured above) after the completion of 6-hours of behind-the-wheel training with an instructor.
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1. Google search “California Driver’s Handbook” and study the material, you can download a PDF version from DMV's website. Also search “CA permit test questions” for practice tests. https://www.dmv-written-test.com/california/practice-test-1.html
2. Register an account at www.dmv.ca.gov and fill out an application for a driver’s license. You’ll want to apply for a REAL ID if you want to use it to board domestic flights.
3. Upon completion of the online application, you’ll receive a confirmation number, take that along with the required identity documents listed on the website with you to a local DMV office.
4. You’ll take the knowledge test at the DMV and upon passing, you’ll receive a “Provisional Instruction Permit”, only then will you be able to begin driving lessons as you are not currently licensed.
5. I will advise against visiting the DMV too late in the day. They will stop giving the permit test after 4:30pm, which is the usual cut off time. If you’re still waiting in line, you’ll be sent home and have to return another day.
6. Corte Madera DMV office is the fastest, Daly City is also better than San Francisco. If you have no choice but to visit the SF office, please be patient and be prepared for a long wait.
7. The photo you take during your initial visit will be the photo that’s printed on your permit and driver’s license. So be prepared for a photo during your visit to take your knowledge test.
8. DMV appointment for the permit test is not necessary (they accept walk ins) but highly recommended. DMV appointment for the drive test is mandatory. These can both be scheduled online.
9. Upon completion of 6-hours of driver training with an instructor, the teen will earn a gold certificate (pictured above) to provide at the time of their drive test check in. Teens must wait 6 months from the permit issuance date or 18th birthday, whichever date comes first is when they’re eligible for their behind-the-wheel test.
10. Permits are valid for one calendar year from when you initially applied for your driver's license. Each application comes with THREE attempts to pass your knowledge test, after which you must submit another application and pay the fee again. Each permit comes with THREE attempts to pass the behind-the-wheel test. Teens must wait 15 calendar days between drive test attempts, adults 18+ can take it the next day if they can secure another appointment.
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How do you know if a driving school is legitimate and officially licensed by the California DMV?
Please use the website provided here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/occupational-licensing/occupational-license-lookup/
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You will be able to search for official driving schools that have an active license with the California DMV.