Per California driving laws if you are under 18 you get a provisional permit and your parents have to accept liability for you.
I do know out here in California that it is an automatic ticket to be on your mobile phone without a headset. And I think (not sure if this passed or not I know there was talk of it) your license can get suspended if you are a minor talking on your mobile.
Other random California rules per teens driving:
Personally, I don't think half the people who have licenses should have been able to obtain them in the first place. I was driving the other day and a very much older than me guy almost ran me off the road cause he wasn't looking when he changed lanes. I don't think it is a matter of age really. Its a matter of maturity. I know 16 year olds who drive better than 40 year olds.
How to apply for a provisional permit if you are under 18
To apply for a provisional permit, you will need the following:
Be at least 15 ½, but under 18 years of age
Visit a DMV office (make an Appointment(s) 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
Give a thumb print
Have your picture taken
Provide your social security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office.
Verify your birth date and legal presence
?Provide your true full name if your name no longer matches the name on your birth date legal presence document.?
Submit the proper form(s) for driver education and/or driver training classes (See below for details.)
Pay the 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. There are 46 questions on the test. A passing score is at least 39 correct answers. You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again.
Note: To allow you sufficient time for testing DMV will not be administering written or audio exams after 4:30 p.m.
Driver Education and Driver Training Form Requirements
If you are 15 ½ to 17 ½ years of age, you will need to provide a:
Certificate of Completion of Driver Education.
OR
Certificate of Completion of Driver Education and Driver Training.
OR
Certificate of Enrollment In An Integrated (Classroom) Driver Education And Driver Training Program.
NOTE:If your driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a
?To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools? form (DL 33) form completed by the out-of state secondary school. Obtain a DL 33 form from your local DMV office or by calling DMV at 1-800-777-0133 . Send the DL 33 form to your out-of-state secondary school to complete.
letter from your out-of state secondary school on the out-of-state secondary school's stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses you have taken are equivalent to a California secondary school course described in Section 10020 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
An out-of-state driving instructional permit is not acceptable proof of driver education and driver training.
If you are over 17 ½ but under 18 years of age, you may get your permit without the driver education and driver training certificates however, you will not be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.
Once you pass your written test, you will be issued a provisional permit.
A parent, guardian, spouse or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver license, must be with you when you drive. He or she must sit in a position close enough to take control of the vehicle, if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone at any time.
Before being eligible to take your driving test you must:
Be 16 years old
AND
Have held your permit for a minimum of six months
AND
Have completed driver education
AND
Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
AND
Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
To take your driving test, you will need to:
Make a driving test Appointment(s) . (Driving tests are not given without an appointment.) You may also call 1-800-777-0133 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, to make a driving test appointment.
Provide proof of financial responsibility
After you pass your driving test you will be issued an interim license valid for 90 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect. If you have not received your license after 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 to check on the status. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.
If you fail your driving test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.
If driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools form DL 33 completed by the out-of state school, or a letter on the out-of state school?s stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses are equivalent to California?s requirements. Instructional permits issued by another state are not acceptable proof.
Provisional Instruction Permit - Cumulative Credit
Your driver license application is valid for 12 months from the application date. If your application will expire before you have held your provisional instruction permit for six months, you must return to DMV and start a new application. You will need to pay the application fee and fulfill all application requirements. Take your instruction permit with you to DMV. You will be credited for the time you have held your instruction permit and receive cumulative credit towards your subsequent provisional instruction permit to meet the six-month requirement before taking your driving test.
You must keep the expired instruction permit with your new instruction permit until you pass your driving test. The new instruction permit and the expired permit is the only proof of credit that satisfies the six-month requirement. When a new application is started, DMV does not retain the previous application information. If you lose your expired instruction permit, without the necessary proof of a previous application, the full six-month waiting period will be required before you will be allowed to take your driving test.
Bring both your instruction permits with you when you take your driving test.
Parents? or guardians? signatures - accepting liability for a minor
A minor?s application for a driver license must have the signatures of:
Both parents, if the parents are California residents and have joint custody, or
Both parents, if divorced, with joint custody, or
One parent, if that parent has custody, or
Guardians of the minor, if neither parent is living or has custody, or
The person(s) having actual full and complete custody, if no legal guardian is appointed.
NOTE: Nonresident parents cannot sign the application form and cannot accept liability for a minor in California. Nonresident military parents stationed and living in California can sign the application form and accept liability for a minor.
When parents or guardians sign for a minor to get a driver license, they are stating that they will accept financial responsibility for that minor. Financial responsibility in California requires that drivers and vehicle owners carry the following minimum monetary limits:
$15,000 for injury or death of 1 person per accident
$30,000 for injury or death of 2 or more persons per accident
$5,000 for any property damage per accident
Evidence of financial responsibility must be carried at all times in the vehicle. Most Californians maintain financial responsibility through insurance companies, which provide the policy holder with an identification card to be used as evidence of coverage. The card must state the insurance company?s name and address, the period of coverage, and policy number.
Provisional driver license restrictions during the first year
Effective January 1, 2006, a new law will increase driving restrictions for persons under the age of 18 who:
Are issued a provisional driver license (DL) on or after January 1, 2006, or
Already hold a provisional DL issued on or after January 1, 2005.
Provisional Driving Restrictions?You must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian or other licensed driver 25 years of age or older or a licensed or certified driving instructor when you:
Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time, for the first twelve months.
Drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first twelve months.
To determine if these restrictions apply to you, look at the date on your driver license. The date printed just to the left of your photograph is the date these restrictions begin. The new restrictions apply for 12 months following this date. For example: If the date on your license is May 7, 2005, you will have the above restrictions through May 7, 2006. Violation of either restriction can result in a fine and/or community service.
Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you turn 18 years of age, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.
Exceptions to Restrictions
When reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive, the law grants the following exceptions for minors to drive between 11 pm and 5 am or to transport an immediate family member unaccompanied and unsupervised.
The law allows the following exceptions when reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive. A signed note must be kept in your possession for any of these exceptions explaining the necessity and the date when the driving necessity will end (except emancipated minors).
Medical necessity when reasonable transportation alternatives are inadequate. The note must be signed by your physician, and contain the diagnosis and probable date of recovery.
Schooling or school-authorized activity. The note must be signed by your school principal, dean, or his/her designee.
Employment necessity and the need to operate a vehicle as part of your employment. The note must be signed by your employer verifying employment.
Your necessity or the necessity of an immediate family member. The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian.
If you are an emancipated minor, no documentation is needed. However, you must have already declared yourself emancipated and provided DMV with Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of your guarantors? signatures.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#PERMINOR
To apply for a provisional permit, you will need the following:
Be at least 15 ½, but under 18 years of age
Visit a DMV office (make an Appointment(s) 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
Give a thumb print
Have your picture taken
Provide your social security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office.
Verify your birth date and legal presence
?Provide your true full name if your name no longer matches the name on your birth date legal presence document.?
Submit the proper form(s) for driver education and/or driver training classes (See below for details.)
Pay the 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. There are 46 questions on the test. A passing score is at least 39 correct answers. You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again.
Note: To allow you sufficient time for testing DMV will not be administering written or audio exams after 4:30 p.m.
Driver Education and Driver Training Form Requirements
If you are 15 ½ to 17 ½ years of age, you will need to provide a:
Certificate of Completion of Driver Education.
OR
Certificate of Completion of Driver Education and Driver Training.
OR
Certificate of Enrollment In An Integrated (Classroom) Driver Education And Driver Training Program.
NOTE:If your driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a
?To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools? form (DL 33) form completed by the out-of state secondary school. Obtain a DL 33 form from your local DMV office or by calling DMV at 1-800-777-0133 . Send the DL 33 form to your out-of-state secondary school to complete.
letter from your out-of state secondary school on the out-of-state secondary school's stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses you have taken are equivalent to a California secondary school course described in Section 10020 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
An out-of-state driving instructional permit is not acceptable proof of driver education and driver training.
If you are over 17 ½ but under 18 years of age, you may get your permit without the driver education and driver training certificates however, you will not be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.
Once you pass your written test, you will be issued a provisional permit.
A parent, guardian, spouse or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver license, must be with you when you drive. He or she must sit in a position close enough to take control of the vehicle, if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone at any time.
Before being eligible to take your driving test you must:
Be 16 years old
AND
Have held your permit for a minimum of six months
AND
Have completed driver education
AND
Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
AND
Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
To take your driving test, you will need to:
Make a driving test Appointment(s) . (Driving tests are not given without an appointment.) You may also call 1-800-777-0133 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, to make a driving test appointment.
Provide proof of financial responsibility
After you pass your driving test you will be issued an interim license valid for 90 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect. If you have not received your license after 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 to check on the status. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.
If you fail your driving test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.
If driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools form DL 33 completed by the out-of state school, or a letter on the out-of state school?s stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses are equivalent to California?s requirements. Instructional permits issued by another state are not acceptable proof.
Provisional Instruction Permit - Cumulative Credit
Your driver license application is valid for 12 months from the application date. If your application will expire before you have held your provisional instruction permit for six months, you must return to DMV and start a new application. You will need to pay the application fee and fulfill all application requirements. Take your instruction permit with you to DMV. You will be credited for the time you have held your instruction permit and receive cumulative credit towards your subsequent provisional instruction permit to meet the six-month requirement before taking your driving test.
You must keep the expired instruction permit with your new instruction permit until you pass your driving test. The new instruction permit and the expired permit is the only proof of credit that satisfies the six-month requirement. When a new application is started, DMV does not retain the previous application information. If you lose your expired instruction permit, without the necessary proof of a previous application, the full six-month waiting period will be required before you will be allowed to take your driving test.
Bring both your instruction permits with you when you take your driving test.
Parents? or guardians? signatures - accepting liability for a minor
A minor?s application for a driver license must have the signatures of:
Both parents, if the parents are California residents and have joint custody, or
Both parents, if divorced, with joint custody, or
One parent, if that parent has custody, or
Guardians of the minor, if neither parent is living or has custody, or
The person(s) having actual full and complete custody, if no legal guardian is appointed.
NOTE: Nonresident parents cannot sign the application form and cannot accept liability for a minor in California. Nonresident military parents stationed and living in California can sign the application form and accept liability for a minor.
When parents or guardians sign for a minor to get a driver license, they are stating that they will accept financial responsibility for that minor. Financial responsibility in California requires that drivers and vehicle owners carry the following minimum monetary limits:
$15,000 for injury or death of 1 person per accident
$30,000 for injury or death of 2 or more persons per accident
$5,000 for any property damage per accident
Evidence of financial responsibility must be carried at all times in the vehicle. Most Californians maintain financial responsibility through insurance companies, which provide the policy holder with an identification card to be used as evidence of coverage. The card must state the insurance company?s name and address, the period of coverage, and policy number.
Provisional driver license restrictions during the first year
Effective January 1, 2006, a new law will increase driving restrictions for persons under the age of 18 who:
Are issued a provisional driver license (DL) on or after January 1, 2006, or
Already hold a provisional DL issued on or after January 1, 2005.
Provisional Driving Restrictions?You must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian or other licensed driver 25 years of age or older or a licensed or certified driving instructor when you:
Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time, for the first twelve months.
Drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first twelve months.
To determine if these restrictions apply to you, look at the date on your driver license. The date printed just to the left of your photograph is the date these restrictions begin. The new restrictions apply for 12 months following this date. For example: If the date on your license is May 7, 2005, you will have the above restrictions through May 7, 2006. Violation of either restriction can result in a fine and/or community service.
Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you turn 18 years of age, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.
Exceptions to Restrictions
When reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive, the law grants the following exceptions for minors to drive between 11 pm and 5 am or to transport an immediate family member unaccompanied and unsupervised.
The law allows the following exceptions when reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive. A signed note must be kept in your possession for any of these exceptions explaining the necessity and the date when the driving necessity will end (except emancipated minors).
Medical necessity when reasonable transportation alternatives are inadequate. The note must be signed by your physician, and contain the diagnosis and probable date of recovery.
Schooling or school-authorized activity. The note must be signed by your school principal, dean, or his/her designee.
Employment necessity and the need to operate a vehicle as part of your employment. The note must be signed by your employer verifying employment.
Your necessity or the necessity of an immediate family member. The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian.
If you are an emancipated minor, no documentation is needed. However, you must have already declared yourself emancipated and provided DMV with Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of your guarantors? signatures.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#PERMINOR
I do know out here in California that it is an automatic ticket to be on your mobile phone without a headset. And I think (not sure if this passed or not I know there was talk of it) your license can get suspended if you are a minor talking on your mobile.
Other random California rules per teens driving:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/teenweb/dl_btn2/dl.htm
Provisional driver license restrictions during the first year
After you pass your driving test, you will be issued a provisional driver license. With your provisional driver license, you must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian or other licensed driver 25 years of age or older, or by a licensed or certified driving instructor when you:
Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time, for the first twelve months.
Drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first twelve months.
This means you cannot give anyone under 20 years old (your friends, your brother(s), sister(s), cousin(s), etc.) a ride unless you have a licensed parent, a guardian or other adult 25 years old or older in the car with you. You are also not allowed to drive between 11 pm and 5 am during your first year after getting your license unless you have a licensed parent, a guardian or other adult 25 years old or older in the car with you.
With a provisional license, you can drive by yourself between the hours of 5 am and 11 pm. If you are under 18, you cannot be employed to drive a motor vehicle.
When you turn 18 years of age, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.
Effective January 1, 2006, these driving restrictions apply to you if you are under the age of 18 and:
Are issued a provisional driver license (DL) on or after January 1, 2006, or
Already hold a provisional DL issued on or after January 1, 2005.
To determine if these restrictions apply to you, look at the date on your driver license. The date printed just to the left of your photograph is the date these restrictions begin. The new restrictions apply for 12 months following this date.
For example: If the date on your license is May 7, 2005, you will have the above restrictions through May 7, 2006. Violation of either restriction can result in a fine and/or community service
Provisional driver license restrictions during the first year
Exceptions to Restrictions
When reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive, the law grants the following exceptions for provisional license holders to drive between 11 pm and 5 am or to transport an immediate family member unaccompanied and unsupervised.
The law allows the following exceptions when reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive. A signed note must be kept in your possession for any of these exceptions explaining the necessity and the date when the driving necessity will end (except emancipated minors).
Medical necessity when reasonable transportation alternatives are inadequate. The note must be signed by your physician, and contain the diagnosis and probable date of recovery.
Schooling or school-authorized activity. The note must be signed by your school principal, dean, or his/her designee.
Employment necessity and the need to operate a vehicle as part of your employment. The note must be signed by your employer verifying employment.
Your necessity or the necessity of an immediate family member. The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian.
If you are an emancipated minor, no documentation is needed. However, you must have already declared yourself emancipated and provided DMV with Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of your guarantors? signatures.
Want to know about the Zero Tolerance Law?
As a teen driver, you belong to a special licensing classification called Provisional Licensees. Holding this type of license, you already know you have to adhere to certain "provisions" that govern who can be in your car with you while you are driving and the hours when you can legally drive. There is one other law that not only applies to provisional drivers, but to all drivers under 21 years of age - the Zero Tolerance Law.
What is the Zero Tolerance Law? This law states that it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01% or higher if you are under 21 years of age. Your BAC is measured by a test given to you by a police officer. Under this law, on your first offense, your driving privilege will be suspended for one year if:
your BAC is .01% or higher, or
you refuse to take the preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test, or
you fail to complete the PAS test.
What is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC)? This is the legal percentage of alcohol that is concentrated in your blood before you are considered an impaired driver. For you (under 21), your BAC is .01% or more. For persons over 21, the BAC is .08% or more. For persons over 21 who drive commercial vehicles, the BAC is .04% or more.
Just a note: There is no safe way to drive while you are under the influence. One drink can make you an unsafe driver. Don't take chances - Don't drink and drive.
What else does the law say about alcohol and drivers under 21 years of age?
The following also applies to you:
It is against the law to purchase beer, wine, or hard liquor.
It is illegal to have alcohol on your person or in your car unless you are with your parent.
Provisional driver license restrictions during the first year
After you pass your driving test, you will be issued a provisional driver license. With your provisional driver license, you must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian or other licensed driver 25 years of age or older, or by a licensed or certified driving instructor when you:
Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time, for the first twelve months.
Drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first twelve months.
This means you cannot give anyone under 20 years old (your friends, your brother(s), sister(s), cousin(s), etc.) a ride unless you have a licensed parent, a guardian or other adult 25 years old or older in the car with you. You are also not allowed to drive between 11 pm and 5 am during your first year after getting your license unless you have a licensed parent, a guardian or other adult 25 years old or older in the car with you.
With a provisional license, you can drive by yourself between the hours of 5 am and 11 pm. If you are under 18, you cannot be employed to drive a motor vehicle.
When you turn 18 years of age, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.
Effective January 1, 2006, these driving restrictions apply to you if you are under the age of 18 and:
Are issued a provisional driver license (DL) on or after January 1, 2006, or
Already hold a provisional DL issued on or after January 1, 2005.
To determine if these restrictions apply to you, look at the date on your driver license. The date printed just to the left of your photograph is the date these restrictions begin. The new restrictions apply for 12 months following this date.
For example: If the date on your license is May 7, 2005, you will have the above restrictions through May 7, 2006. Violation of either restriction can result in a fine and/or community service
Provisional driver license restrictions during the first year
Exceptions to Restrictions
When reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive, the law grants the following exceptions for provisional license holders to drive between 11 pm and 5 am or to transport an immediate family member unaccompanied and unsupervised.
The law allows the following exceptions when reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive. A signed note must be kept in your possession for any of these exceptions explaining the necessity and the date when the driving necessity will end (except emancipated minors).
Medical necessity when reasonable transportation alternatives are inadequate. The note must be signed by your physician, and contain the diagnosis and probable date of recovery.
Schooling or school-authorized activity. The note must be signed by your school principal, dean, or his/her designee.
Employment necessity and the need to operate a vehicle as part of your employment. The note must be signed by your employer verifying employment.
Your necessity or the necessity of an immediate family member. The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian.
If you are an emancipated minor, no documentation is needed. However, you must have already declared yourself emancipated and provided DMV with Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of your guarantors? signatures.
Want to know about the Zero Tolerance Law?
As a teen driver, you belong to a special licensing classification called Provisional Licensees. Holding this type of license, you already know you have to adhere to certain "provisions" that govern who can be in your car with you while you are driving and the hours when you can legally drive. There is one other law that not only applies to provisional drivers, but to all drivers under 21 years of age - the Zero Tolerance Law.
What is the Zero Tolerance Law? This law states that it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01% or higher if you are under 21 years of age. Your BAC is measured by a test given to you by a police officer. Under this law, on your first offense, your driving privilege will be suspended for one year if:
your BAC is .01% or higher, or
you refuse to take the preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test, or
you fail to complete the PAS test.
What is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC)? This is the legal percentage of alcohol that is concentrated in your blood before you are considered an impaired driver. For you (under 21), your BAC is .01% or more. For persons over 21, the BAC is .08% or more. For persons over 21 who drive commercial vehicles, the BAC is .04% or more.
Just a note: There is no safe way to drive while you are under the influence. One drink can make you an unsafe driver. Don't take chances - Don't drink and drive.
What else does the law say about alcohol and drivers under 21 years of age?
The following also applies to you:
It is against the law to purchase beer, wine, or hard liquor.
It is illegal to have alcohol on your person or in your car unless you are with your parent.
Personally, I don't think half the people who have licenses should have been able to obtain them in the first place. I was driving the other day and a very much older than me guy almost ran me off the road cause he wasn't looking when he changed lanes. I don't think it is a matter of age really. Its a matter of maturity. I know 16 year olds who drive better than 40 year olds.
