What to bring to the California DMV permit test

For the learner's permit and knowledge test

• Completed Driver's License & ID Card Application (can be started online)
• Proof of identity
• Two proofs of California residency (exceptions may apply; needed for REAL ID)
• A legal full name document if your name does not match your identity document
• Social Security number (exceptions may apply)
• Under 18: Certificate of Completion or Enrollment in Driver Education, and parent or guardian signature(s). A parent or guardian must attend the appointment.
• Application fee

Fees

• Class C original application (permit + license): $46
• Driving (behind-the-wheel) retest: $9 (licensing fees page; some DMV pages still say $7)

The vision test

You need 20/40 with both eyes together, and 20/40 in one eye and at least 20/70 in the other, with or without glasses or contacts (Snellen chart). If you fail, you are referred to an eye specialist to complete a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62). Applicants with acuity of 20/200 or worse may not be scheduled for a drive test. Passing with glasses or contacts adds a corrective lens restriction.

Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them to see clearly.

For the road test

• Your instruction permit (or driver's license if you have one)
• A California-licensed driver at least 18 (25 for minors), unless you are already licensed
• A vehicle that is safe to drive
• Valid proof of insurance and vehicle registration
• If using a rental vehicle: your name on the rental contract, and the contract must not exclude drive tests
• Minors: proof of driver education and driver training completion and signed 50-hour practice certification

What happens on the road test

After you pass: your permit

• Hold it for at least 6 months (or until age 18) before the drive test for applicants under 18 before the road test.
• Log 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night.
• Under 18: you must complete driver education (or be enrolled in an integrated program) to apply. Applicants 17½ to 18 may get a permit without driver education or training but cannot take the drive test until 18.
• Under 18: your parent(s) or guardian(s) must sign the application and accept financial responsibility. If parents share joint custody, both must sign.
• Under 18: the permit is not valid until you begin behind-the-wheel driver training and the instructor signs it.
• Practice only with a California-licensed driver at least 18, seated close enough to take control of the vehicle. If you are under 18, the driver must be a licensed parent or guardian, a California driver 25 or older, or a certified driving instructor.
• A permit never allows you to drive alone, not even to the DMV for the drive test.
• The application and permit are valid 12 months from the application date.

Before you go

Take a practice test or two the day before, and the exam simulator to check you can pass in the real format. Bring originals, not photocopies, unless the DMV says copies are accepted.