All first-time drivers must pass a California driving test to earn a California drivers license. During the test, a drivers license examiner will sit in the passenger seat and ask you to demonstrate different driving maneuvers. The test takes about 20 minutes.
You may also be required to take a driving test in California if you have a license from a foreign country, have a vision-related problem, have a limited term license, have a physical condition, have an out-of-state provisional license, or are unable to surrender your out-of-state license.
To prepare for your California drivers license test, you need to practice driving. You should be comfortable performing all the following maneuvers from the California Department of Motor Vehicle’s Safe Driver Checklist.
If you’re under 18, you are required to practice driving under supervision for at least 6 months. You must also complete 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor, and 50 hours of supervised driving practice including 10 hours at night.
Make sure you are familiar with the vehicle you will be driving during the test. The California DMV test examiner will ask you to locate the following:
You need to have an appointment to take the California driving test. Make an appointment at your local office by calling 1-800-777-0133 or online at www.dmv.ca.gov.
Bring the following to the DMV with you:
You will also need a car for the driving test. The car must have:
