Graduated licensing in California
Like every state, California uses a graduated licensing system. You start with a learner's permit at age 15 years 6 months, hold it for 6 months of supervised driving, then move to a provisional license with passenger and night-time restrictions, and finally to a full unrestricted license. Each stage exists to give new drivers low-risk supervised exposure before higher-risk solo driving.
Supervised driving requirements
During the California learner's permit phase you must drive with a licensed adult age 21 or older in the front passenger seat. Most California counties require 50 logged hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours after sunset. A simple notebook log is fine, but several free phone apps are also accepted by the CA DMV.
For a deeper read on this topic across all 50 states, see our right-of-way, speed limits, and alcohol and drugs articles.
Passenger restrictions
In California, after you upgrade to a provisional license: no passengers under 20 for the first 12 months. The restriction usually expires automatically on your 18th birthday or after the first 6–12 months of provisional licensure, whichever comes first. Driving violations during this period can extend the restriction.
Night-time driving
Provisional licensees in California are typically prohibited from driving between 11:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. unless they are accompanied by a licensed adult, traveling for work or school, or responding to a documented emergency. The night restriction is responsible for the largest single drop in teen-driver crash rates after graduated licensing was adopted.
Cell phone, seat belt, and substance rules
Drivers under 18 in California may not use any wireless device while driving, even hands-free. Every occupant must wear a seat belt. The BAC limit for under-21 drivers is 0.02% — effectively zero — and a violation triggers an automatic license suspension on top of any criminal penalty.
Quick facts about California
- Capital: Sacramento
- Minimum permit age: 15 years 6 months
- Current permit fee: $41
- Supervised hold period: 6 months
- Adult BAC limit: 0.08% · Under-21 BAC: 0.02%
- Default speed limits: 70 mph rural Interstate, 65 mph urban Interstate, 25 mph residential, 25 mph school zone
- Handheld phone use: banned
- Vision standard: 20/40 acuity in at least one eye, corrected or uncorrected
- Reinstatement fee after suspension: $125
- Official source: CA DMV
Other California guides on PermitPrep
Each link below opens a dedicated California page. Every guide is built from the same official CA DMV handbook so the rules stay consistent across topics.
- California Permit Practice Test — Practice test for California drivers.
- California Driving Permit Guide — Permit guide for California drivers.
- California Road Signs Test — Signs test for California drivers.
- California Traffic Laws Summary — Traffic laws for California drivers.
- California Right-of-Way Rules — Right of way for California drivers.
- California Speed Limits Explained — Speed limits for California drivers.
- California DUI Laws — DUI laws for California drivers.
- California Cell Phone Laws — Cell phone laws for California drivers.
Ready to test what you have learned? Take the free California permit practice test — 20 randomized questions, instant grading, full explanations.