Guide for Parents of New Teen Drivers in California

Getting Your Teen Started:

1. Teens who are 15 ½ years old can begin behind-the-wheel lessons, provided they have a permit. This permit is called a "Learner’s Permit" or "Instruction Permit."

2. To receive a learner's or instruction permit, a teenager must: 

a) Complete a driver's education course (and present the DMV with a certificate of completion) 

b) Pass the DMV's written test

Most schools no longer offer in-class driver's education, so it’s typically completed online. To enroll your teen in our 30-hour online course, please click here: The Hills 30-Hour Online Course. We also offer one-on-one in-person lessons for teens who prefer detailed, personal instruction on rules and regulations.

IMPORTANT

A Learner's Permit is only valid after it has been signed by a licensed driving instructor during the first behind-the-wheel lesson with a DMV-licensed driving school.

Frequently Asked Questions from Parents:

1. My child received a permit. Do they need to take another written test for their license?
   No, there is only one written test. Once your child passes it, no further written tests are required.

2. How many hours of behind-the-wheel lessons are required by an instructor in California?
   California requires six hours of behind-the-wheel training to obtain the Certificate of Completion. To schedule and take the road test, you must present this certificate to the DMV.

3. I don’t have a lot of time to drive with my teenager. If we book more lessons, will that be okay?
   We don’t recommend relying solely on lessons. Teenagers benefit most from a combination of driving with both their parents and instructors. However, we understand that some parents are unable or too nervous to drive with their teens. In these cases, we recommend 20 hours of instruction. Please keep in mind, the DMV requires 50 hours of practice with a parent or guardian, though this is on the honor system. The more practice your teen gets, the safer they will be, which reduces the chances of an accident and helps avoid higher insurance costs.

4. How long is the driving test/road test at the DMV?
   The test typically lasts between 5-15 minutes.
   Personally, I took my driving test in West Germany in 1991, and it lasted 5-6 hours. I believe that passing the road test here in California is not necessarily an indication of being a safe or defensive driver, and this is reflected in the statistics. My mission is to raise the standard. Most of our students pass the road test on their first try, but becoming a safe driver is directly related to the amount of practice they've had with both their parents and instructors. There are countless scenarios that can arise in traffic, and the more exposure a student has to these situations during training, the safer they will be when driving alone. They will know exactly how to react in the safest manner.