The Steps to Obtain a License for Minors

Obtaining one's license is arguably a top highlight of your teenage years. The ability to have the freedom to drive yourself anyplace brings with it a sense of self gratification and accomplishment few other things in life can deliver. The process by which to obtain one's license can often be confusing, and many people are unsure of how the process works. This post will tell you how to correctly obtain your license in the state of California.


Step 1: Complete Drivers Education
A teenager will need to complete a drivers education program. This can be done at a number of different places.
1) Done through a licensed DMV school-----A school like this offers the drivers education in a classroom, much like a high school, but done in a fraction of the time. (Note: by completing drivers education in classroom by a licensed driving school, the teenager can show the completion of drivers education certificate to their high school, thereby receiving school credit for the program)**Best Option**
2) Done at the students high school----------A school like this will allow the student to complete the drivers education program, but comes with limitations. The class will last for a a semester or 1/2 a semester at the teenagers high school. Often the classroom will have many students in it and the students only need to pass with a C. This usually leads to a poor result on the permit test, which results in a failure to obtain the permit.**Ok Option**
3) Done through an online company----------A school like this must be an online company that is has a DMV approved program. Students who lack direction or are distracted easily are strongly recommended not to use this option. (Exception: If a student is forced to do the online option, it is best to use a school who also offers drivers education in class; so that if a student does not like the online program he/she can take drivers education in the classroom, assuming there will be no extra charge.)**Worst Option(with exception)**

After a teenager completes the drivers education from any one of these three sources, they will be issued a DMV certificate stating they have met the requirements for a drivers education course.


Step 2: Enroll in Drivers Training
A teenager must enroll in drivers training. This will allow them to get a DMV certificate stating that they have enrolled in the drivers training program. In addition to these two certificates a student will also need all the items or meet the requirements listed below.


• Be at least 15 ½
• Visit a DMV office (make an appointment for faster service)
• Complete the application form DL 44 (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies obtained by Xeroxing, faxing, or other methods will not be accepted.)
• Have your parents' or guardians' signatures on the application form DL 44 (both parents must sign if dual custody is held)
• Give a thumb print
• Have your picture taken
• Provide your social security number(card not needed). It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office.
• Verify your birth date and legal presence with a birth certificate(original or certified copy only)
• Provide your true full name
• Pay the $28 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
• Pass a traffic laws and sign test aka the Permit Test. There are 46 questions on the test. A passing score is at least 39 correct answers. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again. You have three chances to pass the test.


Step 3: Schedule your lessons
After the teenager has obtained a permit they can not drive immediately afterward. They must first have one lesson with a licensed driving school. This can be done by contacting the school and scheduling a lesson. From the issuance of the permit a student has a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months to complete a six hour program with the licensed driving school; addition to completing fifty hours at home with their parents. If a student fails to complete the program with in a 12 month period the student will have to begin the permit process from the beginning. At the end of the last lesson with the driving school, the teenager will be issued a certificate stating that the 6 hour program has been completed with the licensed school.


Step 4: Taking Your Test
After the teenager has completed the fifty hours of in car training in addition to the 6 hours with the licensed school, and has had their permit for 6 months they can then take their behind the wheel test at the DMV. This test is given by appointment ONLY. Make sure that the teenager has had their parents signature stating fifty hours of training has been completed by their parents or legal guardians in addition to the teenager having the certificate for completing the 6 hour program.

Hope this post helped. Feel free to leave us a comment with any questions you may have.