California Teen Learner’s Permit

Here’s how to get your California Learner’s Permit if you are under 17½ years of age.

STEP 1. Enroll in our engaging, informative and DMV Approved Online Driver Ed Course or our 4-day Classroom Drivers Ed Course (Required for all students who will take the DMV Drive Test prior to their 18th birthday).

Students may start the driver education course at any age but must be at least 15½ before taking the written permit test at the DMV.

After completing the Final Exam at the end of the course, a certificate of completion will be mailed to you. The completion certificate must be present with you when you take the DMV written learner’s permit test, so it is best to wait until you receive the certificate before scheduling your written test appointment at the DMV.

STEP 2. Obtain Your Permit From the DMV

  1. Make an appointment before visiting the DMV office at www.dmv.ca.gov. Walk-in appointments are only accepted at the Driver License Processing Center at 2222 Senter Road, San Jose,  CA 95112
  2. Complete a Drivers License or Identification Card Application form (DL44) on the DMV website. www.dmv.ca.gov.
  3. Go to the DMV with the following:
    • Pay the application fee of $33.00
    • Driver’s Education Completion Certificate
    • Original birth certificate (this has purple ink or the state seal embossed on it – NO COPIES
    • Social Security number (though if you have your card, it is our experience that it is best to have it with you)
    • Take and pass the written permit test

** Note: As of July 1, 2016, 2 forms of proof of residency are required. Please see the DMV website for the complete list of acceptable forms of ID. The DMV will be taking your picture on this day, so be prepared for that.

If the DMV employee has any problem with your paperwork, before you leave the DMV, call us! We are open whenever they are, and can be reached at 888-895-0644.

The permit test is tough, but if you can pass the online driver-ed course final exam, it will be easy for you. Do not take the test lightly! There are 46 questions on the DMV test, and you must wait a week to try again if you miss more than eight. Read every question completely. You have one minute for each question. Put a “best guess” before the time is up or it is marked wrong.

If you do not pass the first time, feel free to brush up with our free practice tests at no charge to you.

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So I had my driving test at the Santa Clara dmv and prepared with a lesson from Beth. She was absolutely incredible and took me through so many paths in the area, one of which I ended up actually taking, leading me to pass my first try there with only 2 mistakes. Thank you Beth!

- Djoni Ray Muresan

My daughter took 3 lessons to prepare for her driving test. She had Ahasan for her first lesson, then Michael for her last two. Both instructors gave her constructive feedback and Michael prepared her to pass her driving test the first time!

- Jaye L

My daughter had 3 different instructors and all were great! They were kind and helpful and professional. Rescheduling is easy to do either by calling or using their website. I highly recommend Advantage!

- Jennifer Rose

The behind the wheel lessons in Advantage Driving school are a good way to get acquainted with driving a car. My instructor Nathan was incredibly helpful and taught my first behind the wheel lesson

- Val

I scheduled adult lessons for myself. The process was relatively simple and comes with an online course as well. Any questions I had were answered quickly and professionally. My first instructor was Nathan and he was very helpful and able to adapt to my needs. I plan on scheduling more lessons. So far, very happy with this service!

- Kenny Ngo

I bought the teen driving lessons package for my younger daughter for three classes. She took the behind the wheel classes for teens with three different instructors (Adrian, Amelia, and Jeff Nowell), to prepare for the road test. She liked how all of her driving instructors were direct and gave her constructive feedback on her errors throughout her lessons. Outside of class, she also practiced the skills taught by her instructors. She drove for about five times a week for a month and a half.
I also bought the DMV road test review class taught by Jeff Nowell. My daughter said that Jeff helped her a lot with his review before the road test. She passed the road test on her first try.

- Allison Lim

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