California DMV Permit Test 2026

Who Can Get a Learner's Permit

To apply for a learner's permit (officially called an “instruction permit”) in California, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months old. There is no upper age limit — adults of any age who have never held a license can apply through the same process.

If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application to give consent. This consent remains in effect until you turn 18. If no parent or guardian is available, California allows certain other responsible adults (such as an employer, foster parent, or spouse who is 18 or older) to sign in their place.

Residency: You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to get a California permit. California issues driver licenses and permits to all residents regardless of immigration status under Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60). However, you do need to be a California resident. You'll prove residency at the DMV with documents like a utility bill, bank statement, or rental agreement showing your California address. If you're moving from another state, you are expected to get a California license within 10 days of establishing residency.

Teens under 17.5: If you're under 17 and a half, you must complete a driver education (driver's ed) course before you can take the written test. You'll need to bring your certificate of completion to the DMV. If you're 17.5 or older, driver's ed is not required — though it's still worthwhile.

Applying Online

Before you visit the DMV in person, you should fill out the application online. Go to the DMV's online driver license application (DL 44) page and complete the form. The application asks for your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number (SSN), California address, and whether you want to register to vote.

Should you apply for a Real ID at the same time? Yes — California recommends it. When filling out the application, you'll see an option to apply for a Real ID compliant license/permit. A Real ID is a federal standard that lets you use your license to board domestic flights and enter certain federal buildings. There is no extra fee for choosing Real ID, but you will need to bring additional identity documents to the DMV (more on that below). If you skip Real ID now, you'll have to come back and do it later, so it's worth checking that box upfront.

After you finish the online application, you'll receive a confirmation code. Write this down or save it — you'll need to give it to the DMV clerk when you arrive at the office. The confirmation code pulls up your application so you don't have to fill out paper forms at the counter.

You do not pay online. The $38 application fee is collected at the DMV office when you visit. The DMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover).

Fees and What You Pay For

The application fee is $38. This single fee covers your permit application, up to three attempts at the written knowledge test, and your eventual behind-the-wheel driving test. It is non-refundable — you pay it whether you pass or fail.

There is no separate test fee. The $38 is all-inclusive for one complete application cycle. If you exhaust all three written test attempts without passing, you'll need to file a new application and pay the $38 fee again.

How long can you wait before going for the test? Once your application is filed, you have 12 months to pass both the written test and the behind-the-wheel driving test. If 12 months pass and you haven't completed everything, your application expires and you'll have to start over with a new application and another $38 fee. Most people take the written test on the same day they visit the DMV, but you can return on a different day within that 12-month window if you prefer.

Documents You Need at the DMV

What you bring depends on whether you're applying for a standard permit or a Real ID permit. For a Real ID (recommended), you need all of the following:

If you're applying for a standard (non-Real ID) permit, the requirements are lighter. You'll still need to verify your identity and provide your SSN, but the two-proofs-of-residency requirement only applies to Real ID. That said, most people opt for Real ID since there's no extra cost.

Teens: If you're under 18, also bring your driver education certificate of completion (if under 17.5). Your parent or guardian who signed the application does not need to come with you to the DMV, but their signature on the DL 44 application is required.

Bring your confirmation code. This is the number you got after completing the online application. It saves time at the counter and ensures the DMV can pull up your application quickly.

Do You Need an Appointment?

No, you don't need one. The California DMV accepts walk-ins for written knowledge tests. You can show up at any DMV field office during business hours and take the test that same day.

That said, having an appointment is strongly recommended. Walk-in wait times at California DMV offices can be long — sometimes over an hour, sometimes much more, depending on the office and time of day. With an appointment, you'll typically be seen within 15–20 minutes of your scheduled time. Appointments are free and can be booked online.

What Happens at the DMV

Here's what a typical DMV visit looks like, in order:

The whole process — from walking in to walking out with your permit — usually takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on how busy the office is. The test itself takes most people 15 to 30 minutes.

The Eye (Vision) Test

The DMV vision screening happens at the service window, not in a separate room. The clerk will ask you to look into a small viewing machine and read a line of letters or numbers. It tests your visual acuity — essentially, whether you can see well enough to drive safely.

California requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye (with or without corrective lenses). If you wear glasses or contact lenses, keep them on during the test. If you pass the screening with corrective lenses, your permit and license will have a restriction noting that you must wear them while driving.

If you cannot meet the 20/40 standard, the DMV will give you a form to take to your eye doctor for a more detailed exam. You can return to the DMV with the completed form to continue your application. The vision screening is quick — it takes less than a minute.

When They Take Your Photo

Your photo is taken during the document processing step, typically right at the service window after your identity documents are verified and your fee is paid. This happens before you take the written test — so come prepared to have your picture taken when you first arrive. The photo will be used on your interim permit, your permanent permit card, and eventually your driver license. You'll be asked to remove glasses, hats, and head coverings (unless worn for religious reasons) for the photo.

The Written Knowledge Test

The California written test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. All questions are based on the California Driver Handbook. It is a multiple-choice test with three answer options per question. There is no time limit, so you can take as long as you need.

California does not have a separate road signs test. Road sign identification questions are mixed into the main exam. The test is available in 35 languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Punjabi, Farsi, Armenian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, and many others. You can also request an audio version if needed.

Can you take the test online from home? Yes — the California DMV does offer a remote online knowledge test option. It is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM and requires a webcam, a government-issued ID, and a quiet, private environment. You'll need to have already started your application at a DMV office before you can use the remote option. Most first-time applicants take the test in person at the DMV.

What the Test Looks Like

At the DMV, you'll take the test on a touchscreen computer terminal. The interface is straightforward — each screen shows one question with three answer choices. You tap your answer to select it and then confirm to move to the next question. The text is large and easy to read.

Do they tell you if your answer is right or wrong? Yes. After you submit each answer, the screen will immediately tell you whether you got it correct or incorrect. If you got it wrong, it will show you the correct answer before moving on to the next question. This real-time feedback is part of how the California DMV test works — you always know where you stand as you go.

Are there practice questions? Yes. Before the actual test begins, the computer will display a few practice questions to help you get comfortable with the touchscreen interface. These practice questions do not count toward your score. Once you feel ready, you move on to the real test.

Can you skip questions? No — the California DMV test does not allow you to skip questions or go back to previous ones. Each question must be answered before you can proceed to the next. You cannot return to a question once you've moved past it. Because of this, take your time and think through each question before submitting your answer.

Passing Score and Results

The number of questions and the passing score depend on your age:

Because the test gives you instant feedback on each question, you'll be tracking your own score as you go. The test will also end early if you either lock in a passing score (enough correct answers that the remaining questions don't matter) or if you've gotten too many wrong to recover. For example, if you're an adult and get 7 wrong answers, the test will stop because passing is no longer possible.

When the test ends, the screen will clearly show whether you passed or failed. If you passed, you'll return to the service counter where the clerk will issue your interim (paper) permit.

Teens vs. Adults: How the Process Differs

The DMV visit is largely the same for teens and adults, but there are a few differences:

The test-taking experience at the DMV — checking in, paying, vision test, photo, and using the touchscreen — is identical regardless of age. The main differences are the number of test questions and the requirements that come after you get your permit.

After You Pass

When the test screen shows “Pass,” you'll walk back to the service counter. The DMV clerk will print out a paper interim permit for you on the spot. This interim document is your official learner's permit — it's valid immediately and allows you to start driving that same day, provided you follow the permit rules (see below).

Your permanent permit card, which looks like a standard California ID with your photo, will arrive by mail in approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Until it arrives, carry the paper interim permit with you whenever you drive.

Can you start driving immediately? Yes — but only with a supervising driver. You cannot drive alone with a learner's permit. You must always be accompanied by a licensed California driver who is at least 25 years old (for teen permit holders) or at least 18 years old (for adult permit holders). The supervising driver must sit in the front passenger seat.

Can you drive at night? With a learner's permit (before getting your license), there is no curfew restriction — you can drive at any hour as long as your supervising driver is with you. The nighttime curfew (11 PM to 5 AM) only kicks in after you pass the behind-the-wheel test and receive a provisional license, and it applies only to drivers under 18.

If You Don't Pass

If you fail the written test, you'll need to wait at least 7 days before you can retake it. You cannot retake it the same day or the next day — the 7-day waiting period is mandatory.

When you come back for a retake, do you redo everything? No. You do not need to redo the vision test, photo, document verification, or pay again. You simply check in at the DMV, tell them you're there for a retest, and they'll direct you straight to the testing area. The $38 you already paid covers up to three total attempts.

What if you fail all 3 attempts? If you don't pass after three tries, your application is considered invalid. You'll need to submit a brand-new application and pay the $38 fee again. There is no additional waiting period beyond the standard 7 days after your third failure — you can reapply as soon as you're ready. When you reapply, you will go through the full process again: documents, payment, photo, vision test, and written test.

The test questions are pulled from a large question bank, so you will get a different set of questions on each attempt. Studying the California Driver Handbook thoroughly and taking practice tests is the best way to make sure you pass on the next try.

Learner's Permit Rules

Your learner's permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Within those 12 months, you need to pass the behind-the-wheel driving test to get your full license. If your permit expires before you take the driving test, you'll have to start the process over (new application, new fee, new written test).

You must carry your permit with you every time you drive. It serves as your legal authorization to operate a vehicle. If you're pulled over and don't have it, you could receive a citation.

While driving with a learner's permit:

International License Holders

If you hold a valid driver license from another country, you can drive in California as a visitor — California recognizes foreign licenses for visitors. You do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP), though having one as a supplementary translation can be helpful.

However, if you become a California resident (meaning you live here, work here, or intend to stay), you must apply for a California driver license within 10 days. Your foreign license does not transfer — you'll need to go through the full process: application, documents, fee, vision test, written knowledge test, and behind-the-wheel driving test. There is no exemption from the written test for international license holders.

The good news is that as an adult (18+), you go directly for the full license — you don't have to hold a learner's permit for any minimum period. You can take the written test and schedule your behind-the-wheel driving test on the same visit.

Out-of-State Transfers

If you have a valid driver license from another U.S. state, the process is simpler. You'll still need to visit a DMV office, submit your application, provide documents, pay the fee, take the vision test, and have your photo taken. You will need to take the written knowledge test — California does not waive it for out-of-state transfers.

However, if you hold a valid out-of-state license, the DMV will generally waive the behind-the-wheel driving test. You'll surrender your old state's license and receive a California license once you pass the written test. Your old state's license will be mailed back to the issuing state.

The Driver Handbook

The California Driver Handbook is the official study guide for the written test. Every question on the exam is based on information in this handbook. It covers California traffic laws, right-of-way rules, road signs and signals, safe driving practices, alcohol and drug laws, and special driving situations.

The handbook is available for free online as a webpage and as a downloadable PDF. You can also pick up a printed copy at any DMV office. It's published in 10 languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Punjabi, Farsi, Armenian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean.

The handbook is about 100 pages long. Most people can read through it in a few hours. Focus especially on the chapters about right-of-way, traffic signs, and laws specific to California — these tend to be the areas where test questions are most commonly drawn.

Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is one of the most effective ways to prepare. They help you identify gaps in your knowledge and get comfortable with the question format.

Official DMV practice tests: The California DMV offers free sample knowledge tests on their website. These give you a feel for the type and difficulty of questions you'll encounter, though the actual test pulls from a much larger pool.

DMV Question Bank practice tests: For more thorough preparation, you can take California DMV practice tests on DMV Question Bank. The question bank covers all topics from the California Driver Handbook and simulates the real test experience, including the same question format, scoring, and instant feedback. It's a good way to test yourself repeatedly until you're consistently scoring above 90%.

A common study strategy is to read through the handbook once, then take practice tests to see where you're weak. Go back and re-read the sections you missed questions on, then test again. Repeat until you can consistently pass with room to spare.

Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

After getting your permit, the next step is preparing for the behind-the-wheel (BTW) driving test. The requirements differ significantly between teens and adults.

GDL restrictions after getting a license (teens only): Once you pass the driving test and receive your provisional license, you'll be subject to California's Graduated Driver License restrictions for the first 12 months:

Quick Reference

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