California’s teen driving laws encompass requirements and restrictions as they pertain to minors obtaining a driver’s license, and this includes the graduated driver’s license (GDL) program. It is important for parents of these teens to understand the requirements for provisional licenses, permits and limitations – and these limitations include passenger restrictions and driving hours during the first year. Further, there exist exceptions to these restrictions for particular needs such as employment or medical reasons.
As a matter of historic fact, California was one of the first states in the U.S. to introduce a phased approach with regard to full driving privileges for teens to reduce risks. The aforementioned GDL program was initially conceived as a countermeasure to address minor driver risk, gradually introducing teens to the driving experience by – over time – phasing in full driving privileges amidst lower-risk conditions.
In the U.S., a leading cause of teenage deaths are motor vehicle crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some 1,885 drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 died in car accidents in 2020, a 17-percent increase in driver fatalities from 1,616 in 2019. And, of these young drivers who lost their lives, a staggering 52-percent were not wearing their safety belts – in other words, they were unrestrained. In 2022, 523 fatal accidents in California involved teen drivers.
Parents of teens in California should be aware that GDL programs are successful because they limit the risks to such young drivers, while simultaneously offering driving practice; older teen drivers, conversely, miss out on the benefits of GDL programs. Those who begin licensing at 15 to 18 years old have, for all intents and purposes, “aged out” of GDL.
Minors may keep their driver’s license provided they comply with the following rules:
• They obey the traffic laws and drive without having an accident.
• They cannot drive between 11 pm and 5 am during the first 12 months.
• They cannot transport passengers younger than 20.
California minor driving laws do allow a few exceptions, notably that a teen driver can transport passengers under 20 years of age with the supervision of a California-licensed driver who is at least 25. A teen driver can also drive past the curfew of 11 pm with some exceptions, including:
• Driving related to a medical emergency, with a note signed by a physician.
• Going to or from an official school, for which a note must establish the school-authorized activity from the principal.
• Driving for employment necessity with verifiable employment details.
• Running a quick errand after being asked by a parent or guardian.
The Golden State’s teen driving laws can sometimes seem a bit confounding, but parents and teens alike need to know these laws and abide by them to avoid points on their license. As we stated earlier in this article, news stories regarding teens involved in car accidents is an unfortunate reality, with the result sometimes being inconsolable loss – to both families. Understanding teen driving laws in California can help individuals feel safer behind the wheel.
Let’s now consolidate most of what we covered above, while delving a bit deeper into what parents need to know about teen driver laws in California.
In 2006, California put into place a new set of laws regarding teen drivers, taking steps to significantly restrict the ability of these drivers to engage in certain activities behind the wheel. These newer laws and existing ones help support safe driving, of course, but the most important ones include:
When Teens Can Drive
• Obtaining a Learner’s Permit: Teenagers in California can obtain a learner’s permit at the age of 15 and a half; to do so, they must pass a written test and a vision test at the DMV. With a learner’s permit, the teen must always be accompanied by a licensed driver 25 years of age or older in the passenger seat.
• Provisional Driver’s License: Teens can apply for a provisional driver’s license at the age of 16; to obtain this license, the teenager must have held a learner’s permit for at least six months, completed 50 hours of supervised driving and pass a driving test. It is important for parents to note that the teenager can drive with a provisional license, under certain restrictions.
• Full Driver’s License: A teen can apply for a full driver’s license at the age of 18; to obtain this license, teenagers must have held a provisional license for at least 12 months without any accidents or traffic violations on his or her record.
Restrictions for Teen Drivers
• Passenger Restrictions: A teen is not permitted to host passengers under the age of 20 for the first 12 months after obtaining a provisional license unless they are accompanied by a licensed driver 25 years of age or older.
• Curfew: Teenage drivers holding a provisional license are not permitted to drive between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am for the first 12 months following this obtainment.
• Cell Phone Use: Teen drivers are not permitted to use a cell phone of any kind while driving – and this includes hands-free devices. The only exception to this is in the case of an emergency.
• DUI Laws: California has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking and driving, and as such, teens caught driving with any amount of alcohol in their system will face severe consequences. This can range from license suspension to possible criminal charges.
Conclusion
California restricts teenage drivers due to the high risks often associated with this demographic as they learn to drive. Teens trying to get their license in California – and parents with teenage kids – need to familiarize themselves with the state laws for young motor vehicle operators.
