California Provisional Permit Restrictions Explained

California’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program is designed to help teens gradually develop safe driving habits under less risky conditions. A key part of this program is the provisional instruction permit, which comes with specific restrictions that new drivers must follow until they are eligible for a full license.

What Is a Provisional Instruction Permit?

A provisional instruction permit is issued to California drivers under age 18 after passing a written knowledge test. It allows teens to begin practicing driving under the supervision of a qualified adult, serving as the first step toward obtaining a provisional license.

To apply, teens must be at least 15½ years old and either:

• Be enrolled in or have completed a DMV-approved driver’s education course, or
• Be taking driver education and driver training concurrently.

Learn more about the full licensing process in our guide on Steps to Obtain a California Driver's License.

Supervision Requirements

Holders of a provisional instruction permit are not allowed to drive alone—not even to a school or work event. They must be accompanied at all times by:

• A parent, guardian, or licensed California driver age 25 or older
• Who sits in the front passenger seat
• And is alert and capable of taking control of the vehicle

If you're unsure about how right-of-way rules apply while practicing, review Understanding California's Right-of-Way Laws.

Passenger and Nighttime Driving Limits (After License Issuance)

Once the teen advances from a permit to a provisional license, the following restrictions apply during the first 12 months:

• No passengers under age 20 unless accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian, a licensed driver 25 or older, or a certified driving instructor.
• No driving between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless for medical necessity, school or employment, and only with proper documentation.

These restrictions are waived once the driver turns 18 or holds a provisional license for 12 months without violations.

Legal Penalties for Violating Restrictions

Failure to comply with provisional permit or license restrictions may result in:

• Driving privilege suspension
• Court fines
• Extended holding periods before license upgrades

DMV may also delay full licensure if the teen accumulates traffic violations or is involved in at-fault collisions.

Understand how common violations can impact driving records by checking California's Rules on U-Turns and Left Turns.

Driver Training Requirements

To move from a provisional permit to a provisional license, the teen must complete:

• 6 hours of professional driver training
• 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) logged and verified by a parent or guardian

After holding the permit for at least six months, the teen may take the driving test.

The DMV strongly encourages reviewing detailed state-specific traffic rules. If you're preparing for the permit test, explore our California Carpool Lane Regulations to avoid common mistakes.

Important Resources

• California DMV Teen Drivers (official site)
• California Driver Handbook

Adhering to provisional permit rules not only fulfills legal requirements but also ensures teens develop the safe habits they’ll need for a lifetime of driving.