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Steps to getting a permit
Any teen aged 14 years and 6 months can complete the 30 hours drivers ed course.
After completing the course, the teen will be eligible to take the written permit test, and apply for a permit as early as their 15th birthday.
Before registering for the drivers ed course, the teen must pre-register with the DMV, using the pre-registration page.
After pre-registering, the teen can begin the drivers ed course.
Taking the written permit test
After completing the drivers ed course, the teen can take the written permit test. This can be taken at the DMV office (with an appointment), or online at home.
For more information about taking the test at home, click here.
Getting a permit
After successfully passing the written permit test, the teen can apply for a permit. Since most DMV offices are usually busy, if you want to get the permit on a specific day such as a 15th birthday, you should make an appointment in advance.
You will need to take the following items to the DMV appointment:
- Permit test result
- Birth certificate or passport
- Social Security card
- Two proofs of residency
- Cash, check, or card
Begin driving…
Now the teen has a permit, they have 12 months from the date of issue to complete some mandatory requirements.
If they will be under the age of 18 when they apply for a license, they need to complete 50 hours of driving with a parent, guardian, or instructor. This driving must be logged, either on the DMV paper form, or using the Road Ready app.
If the teen will be under 16 years and 6 months at the time they apply for a license, they must also complete 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with an instructor at a certified driving school. The driving school will notify the DMV when the behind-the-wheel training has been completed.
If the teen will be 18 or older at the time they apply for a license, there is no formal behind-the-wheel training requirement. Meaning they could go from getting a permit to taking the driving test right away. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED. Just because the law doesn’t require formal training, it is always a good idea to make sure they are as safe as can be when driving.
The driving test
Once the necessary driving hours have been logged, and any training completed, the teen is eligible to take the driving test.
The DMV does not conduct driving tests, and they must be taken at a certified driving school.
Any driving school can conduct the driving test, and it doesn’t matter if it’s the same one the teen did their behind-the-wheel training with. Contact a driving school in your local area, and make an appointment to take the test. Because most testers are quite busy, it is a good idea to schedule the test a while in advance.
Getting a license
Once the teen has had a permit for at least 12 months, and they have taken and passed the driving test, they are eligible to apply for a license.
You will need to take the following items to the DMV:
- Drive time log sheet showing at least 50 hours
- Permit
- Cash, check, or card