Driver's Training in California

California Driver's Training

If you're a new teenage driver, completing both behind-the-wheel driver training and supervised driving practice are requirements to get your first driver's license with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Coupled with Driver's Ed, driver's training will build upon your classroom lessons and allow you to practice the driving skills necessary to pass your road test.

Supervised behind-the-wheel practice with a licensed adult will also help to build your skills and provide you with experience in a variety of driving scenarios.

On this page you'll find information about your driver's training and driving practice requirements and the next steps towards your new driver's license.

CA Driver's Training Requirements

If you're younger than 18 years old, driver's training is a requirement while you hold your learner's permit.

For more information about applying for your learner's permit in California, please see our Driver's Permit page.

Before you can take your DMV driving test to obtain your provisional license, you'll need to:

  • Complete 6 hours of driver's training.
  • Complete an additional 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice.
  • Hold your learner's permit for at least 6 months.
  • Complete a driver's education program.

For more information on driver's education courses in California, please see our Driver's Ed page.

NOTE: The minimum age to obtain a learner's permit is 15 1/2 years old. Check with your driver's training provider for minimum enrollment ages and other requirements.

California Driver's Training Course

Behind-the-wheel driver's training allows you to practice your driving skills under the supervision of a licensed driving instructor.

Driver's training in California is offered by:

  • Public schools.
  • Private schools.
  • Professional driver's training schools.

Regardless of where you take your driver's training, you'll need to complete at least 6 hours of behind-the-wheel practice with your driving instructor.

NOTE: Some driver's training programs are integrated with your Driver's Ed course, while other programs are offered separately.

Contact your school district or the California DMV at (800) 777-0133 for more information about approved driver's training courses in your area.

Visit the CA DMV website for tips on selecting a driver's training school.

Supervised Behind-the-Wheel Practice

In addition to professional driver's training, you'll also need to practice driving while supervised by a licensed adult who is at least 25 years old.

Before applying for your provisional driver's license, you'll need to complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving practice. At least 10 hours must be completed at night.

Your supervised driving practice will help to better prepare you for your California DMV driving test and will allow you to gain driving experience in real-world conditions.

Your parent/legal guardian or the supervising adult will need to certify that you've completed the minimum hours.

After Driver's Training - Your Driving Test

Completing driver's training and your supervised driving practice will put you one step closer to getting your unrestricted CA driver's license.

After you've completed the requirements above and are at least 16 years old, visit the CA DMV website to schedule your driving test. Once you've passed your road test, you can obtain your provisional driver's license.

For more information, please see our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in California page.

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