California Provisional License Rules (Under 18)

Updated July 9, 2026

When a California driver under 18 passes the driving test, they get a provisional license — a real license with two important first-year rules. This page is for teens who want to stay legal and for parents who want to know what the law actually says. Everything below is straight from the California Driver's Handbook.

The two big restrictions (first 12 months)

For the first 12 months you hold your license, unless a licensed parent or guardian — or another California-licensed driver at least 25 years old — is riding with you, you cannot:

• Drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (California Driver's Handbook — Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver's License)
• Carry passengers under 20 years old (same source).

That's it — those are the two headline rules. A 25-or-older licensed driver in the car lifts both at once, which is why a parent riding along is the simplest way to practice night driving or drive friends during that first year. Provisional drivers also can't operate any vehicle that requires a commercial Class A, B, or C license.

How long the restrictions last

The curfew and passenger limits apply for 12 months, or until you turn 18 — whichever comes first. When that point arrives, the DMV removes the restrictions from your record automatically; you don't file anything or pay a fee. So a teen licensed at 17 years and 6 months is fully unrestricted at 18, not at 18 and a half.

The exceptions (bring a signed note)

California knows teens have real obligations, so the law allows you to drive during restricted hours or with young passengers for these reasons — each requires a signed note you carry with you (California Driver's Handbook — Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver's License):

• Medical necessity — a note from your physician stating the condition and the date you're expected to recover.
• School or a school activity — a note from your school principal, dean, or a designee.
• Employment — a note from your employer verifying the job and hours.
• Immediate family need — a note from your parent or guardian naming the family member and the expected end date.

The note explains why you need to drive and how long the need lasts. Keep it in the car during any restricted-hours or young-passenger trip.

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For parents: why these rules exist

The riskiest stretch of any driver's life is the first year alone on the road, and two things drive crash rates up sharply: late-night driving and a car full of young passengers. The provisional rules target exactly those. Treat the first 12 months as supervised graduation, not punishment — ride along at night, coach through tricky situations, and by the time restrictions lift your teen has real experience, not just a license.

Before the provisional license: the permit

These rules kick in after the driving test. To get there, an under-18 driver first needs a provisional permit, which means completing driver education, being at least 15½, holding the permit for six months, and passing the 46-question knowledge test. Start with a free practice test and the road sign guide.

More for teens and parents: the parent's guide, starting your permit at 15½, the driving practice log, and how many questions are on the test.