To obtain a Provisional Driver License you must:
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Have held your instruction permit for at least six months
- Prove you have completed driver education and driver training
- Provide a parent's or guardian's signature on your instruction permit verifying that you have completed 50 hours of driving practice (of which 10 hours must be night driving). Refer to the Parent-Teen training Guide, for more information.
- Pass the behind-the-wheel driving test.
- If you fail, you must wait two weeks before taking the driving test again and pay a retest fee for each subsequent driving test
License Restrictions
You must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian, 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 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first twelve months. NOTE: Local laws may further restrict or prohibit driving during specified hours. In San Luis Obispo County, we currently have no added restrictions.
- Drivers under the age of 18 may not use any type of wireless device such as a telephone (including "hands-free"), pager, laptop, or any other electronic communication or mobile services device to speak or text, while driving. EXCEPTION; A cell phone may be used in an emergency situation to call police, fire or medical authorities (CVC23124).
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 p.m. and 5 a.m. or to transport an immediate family member unaccompanied and unsupervised.
- The law requires that you carry a note explaining why you must drive and when the necessity will end.
- Medical necessity; The note must be signed by your physician and contain a diagnosis and probable date when recovery will end your need to drive.
- Schooling or school-authorized activities; The note must be signed by your school principal, dean, or his or her designee, and include a reason for the school or school-authorized activity and the date when the activity will end.
- Employment necessity; The note must be signed by your employer and verify employment and the date your employment will end.
- Immediate need of family member; The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian, and include the reason and date the necessity will end.
- Emancipated minor; No documentation is needed for this exemption. However, you must have already declared your-self emancipated by competing a DMV form and by providing Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of your guarantors' signatures when you applied for your instruction permit.