California

California driver’s license guide

The permit test, the drive test and 287 rules of the road, restated from the California Driver Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025) and dmv.ca.gov, with a link on every rule.

Checked Oct 11, 2026 · official sources linked

Key facts

80%to pass the written (knowledge) testdmv.ca.gov: Instruction Permits

3 triesper application, then you reapplyCalifornia Driver Handbook: The Testing Process

0 + 15drive test: no critical errors, at most 15 scored errors, at most 3 misses on pre-drive items 9 to 14DMV score sheet DL 32 (PDF)

15½youngest age for a permit, with driver educationCalifornia Driver Handbook: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver’s License

6 mo · 50 hunder 18: hold the permit 6 months and practice 50 hours, 10 at nightCalifornia Driver Handbook: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver’s License

40+languages for the knowledge test in DMV officesdmv.ca.gov: AB 60 Driver’s Licenses

Start here

Chapters with the most written-test points

All 22 chapters

Recent rule changes

Changes in law and DMV policy since 2024, by effective date, newest first. Items marked “The handbook doesn’t say this yet” aren’t in the current handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025).

Kids 8–15: seat belt only if they pass the 5-Step test Takes effect 2027-01-01
From 2027, a child 8 to 15 may ride with just the seat belt only if it fits by the 5-Step test: back flat against the seat, knees bending at the seat edge, shoulder belt across the middle of the chest and shoulder (not the neck), lap belt low on the thighs, and able to sit that way the whole trip. Otherwise the child needs a booster or other child restraint. The same 5-Step definition goes into the general seat-belt law for riders 16 and older. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 435 (2025-26)
E-bikes, mopeds and bike paths: rules signed for 2027 Takes effect 2027-01-01
From 2027: a 10 mph speed limit on sidewalks (no license points) and local 10/15/20 mph limits on posted bike paths and multiuse trails (AB 2346). Riding an electric two- or three-wheeler that can exceed 20 mph on the motor alone on a public road is illegal unless it is a vehicle type the Vehicle Code allows there (for example a registered moped or motorcycle), and police may remove it; ‘moped’ and ‘motor-driven cycle’ get new definitions (SB 1167). The seat rule for bike riders and passengers also applies on Class I bike paths (AB 1614). San Mateo County may ban under-12s from Class 1 and 2 e-bikes until 2031 (AB 2595). New e-bikes need front and rear lights, and Class 2 a speedometer, from 2029. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 2346 (2025-26)
Missing a traffic court date no longer suspends your license Takes effect 2027-01-01
From 2027 DMV stops suspending licenses for failing to appear in court on a traffic ticket, and ends FTA suspensions already in place. Willfully missing court is still a misdemeanor. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 2746 (2021-22)
Loud or modified exhaust: proof of fix or no registration renewal Takes effect 2027-01-01
From 2027, after a ticket for an illegally loud or modified exhaust (including whistle tips and loud motorcycle exhausts), the court requires a certificate of compliance from a state referee station; if it isn’t provided within 3 months, DMV won’t renew the vehicle’s registration. Motorcycles lose their exemption from correctable ‘fix-it’ tickets for loud exhausts. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 2496 (2021-22)
Move over or slow down for any stopped vehicle with hazards Since 2026-01-01
When approaching any stopped vehicle showing flashing hazard lights or warning devices (cones, flares, reflective devices), not just emergency vehicles, tow trucks and road crews, change to a lane not next to it if safe; if you can’t, slow to a safe speed. Also covers stopped marked highway maintenance vehicles (state, county, city or their contractors) showing flashing amber warning lights. Base fine up to $50. Doesn’t apply if the vehicle is off the road or behind a barrier. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 390 (2025-26)
New red-light camera programs with civil fines Since 2026-01-01
Cities and counties may run a new kind of red-light camera program. Its tickets go to the registered owner and are civil: $100, then $200, $350 and $500 for repeat violations within 3 years; no points. Older red-light camera programs can still run under the old rules. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill SB 720 (2025-26)

13 more changes

School zones: 20 mph (local now, statewide 2031) Since 2026-01-01
Since 2026 a city or county may post 20 mph school zones (within 500 feet of a school). From 2031-01-01 the default school-zone limit drops from 25 to 20 mph when the sign’s condition applies: beacons flashing, ‘children present’ and children are present, or the posted hours. Locals may also set 15 mph in some residential school zones. Until then the default stays 25 mph; always obey the posted sign. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 382 (2025-26)
DUI: interlock program extended; tougher repeat-offense penalties from 2027 Since 2026-01-01
The statewide ignition interlock (IID) rules for DUI offenders, due to end 2026-01-01, now run to 2033 (AB 366). From 2027, hit-and-run causing injury within 10 years of a separate DUI, reckless-driving or gross vehicular manslaughter violation can be a felony, and drivers who plead a DUI down to a lesser charge still get the warning that a future fatal DUI can be charged as murder (SB 907); a 3rd DUI within 10 years can be charged as a felony and a 5th or later is a felony (AB 1546). From 2031, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated adds 3 points (AB 1685), and an injury DUI with 4+ priors in 10 years means revocation with no reinstatement for 6 years, then an IID (AB 1687). The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 366 (2025-26)
Duplicate license after an address change Since 2026-01-01
After filing a change of address you may apply for a duplicate license showing the new address; if you get one, destroy the old card right away. You still must report a move within 10 days. California bill SB 506 (2025-26)
Clean-air decals no longer allow solo carpool-lane driving Since 2025-10-01
Since 2025-10-01 every Clean Air Vehicle decal is invalid: an EV or plug-in hybrid with one person may not use an HOV (carpool) lane and pays full tolls. Follow the posted occupancy rule like any other car. The federal authority behind the program (23 U.S.C. 166) ended 2025-09-30; California had extended its own law to 2027 (AB 2678), but that law stops working when the federal authority ends. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. dmv.ca.gov: Clean Air Vehicle Decals
Higher minimum liability insurance (30/60/15) Since 2025-01-01
For policies issued or renewed from 2025-01-01 the minimums are $30,000 per injured or killed person, $60,000 per crash when more than one person is hurt, and $15,000 for property damage (was 15/30/5). For policies issued or renewed from 2035-01-01 the minimums rise to 50/100/25. California bill SB 1107 (2021-22)
E-bike rules now in force Since 2025-01-01
Selling parts or apps that let an e-bike go beyond its class is banned (AB 1774, AB 545). E-bikes need a red rear reflector or light visible from 500 feet at all hours, not just at night (AB 544). Selling a Class 3 e-bike to anyone under 16 is banned, with a fine of up to $250 (AB 965). Police may remove an electric two- or three-wheeler that isn’t a legal e-bike and can go over 20 mph on the motor alone when the rider lacks the right license, or a Class 3 e-bike ridden by someone under 16 (AB 875). Off-road electric motorcycles (‘e-motos’) are off-highway vehicles needing a DMV ID plate (SB 586). Marin County may ban under-16s from Class 2 and require helmets; San Diego County may ban under-12s from Class 1 and 2 (until 2029). The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 1774 (2023-24)
No devices that fool driver-monitoring systems Since 2025-01-01
It is illegal to use, buy, have, sell or install a device made to defeat the driver-monitoring system of a car with driver-assist or automated features (for example steering-wheel weights that fake hands on the wheel). Infraction. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill SB 1313 (2023-24)
License plates: no altering, covers or tints Since 2025-01-01
You may not erase, paint over or alter a plate’s reflective coating to keep any camera or person from reading it (AB 2111; before, the ban covered only police capture). Covers and frames that block electronic plate readers (police, tolls, emissions sensors) were already banned; since 2026 shades and tints are too, and making or selling such products costs $1,000 per item (AB 1085). California bill AB 2111 (2023-24)
Sideshows and street takeovers: impound now, tougher penalties from 2027 Since 2025-01-01
Since 2025 police may impound a car used to block a road or parking lot for a sideshow without arresting the driver, keep a car used for an exhibition of speed in a parking lot for up to 30 days, and get court orders to impound cars used in speed contests (AB 1978, AB 2186, AB 3085); a sideshow is also called a street takeover (AB 2807). From 2027 penalties for exhibitions of speed at a sideshow go up, including mandatory jail time, and injuring someone can be a felony (AB 1588). From 2029 a court may suspend the license for 90 days to 6 months (AB 3 of 2021, delayed from 2025-07-01 by SB 128). The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 1978 (2023-24)
Drivers 70+: no automatic knowledge test at renewal Since 2024-10-01
Since 2024-10-01 drivers 70 and older with clean records no longer take a knowledge test at renewal; they still renew in person for a vision test and photo. A test is still required after 2+ crashes in 2 years, 3+ in 3 years, a DUI suspension in 2 years, or more than 1 point in 2 years (eLearning may be offered). Separately, AB 1606 lets DMV run a remote-renewal program (eyesight test still required at 70+; not for 80+). DMV news release, Sep 30, 2024: no knowledge test for most renewals
No parking within 20 ft of a crosswalk (daylighting) Since 2024-01-01
You may not stop, park or leave your car within 20 feet of the approach side of any crosswalk, marked or unmarked, or within 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension, even when the curb is not painted red. Stopping to avoid other traffic or to obey an officer or a traffic signal or sign is allowed. A city may set a different distance only if it marks it with paint or a sign. Until 2025-01-01 unmarked spots got warnings only; now they can be ticketed. California bill AB 413 (2023-24)
Speed cameras: six cities, Malibu PCH, Caltrans work zones Since 2024-01-01
Speed cameras can now ticket by mail: Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, Glendale and Long Beach (AB 645, from 2024; on high-injury streets, racing hot spots and school zones), Malibu on PCH, up to 5 cameras (SB 1297, from 2025), and Caltrans in state-highway work zones, up to 35 (AB 289, from 2026). Cameras flag 11+ mph over the limit. The registered owner gets a civil fine: $50 (11–15 over), $100 (16–25), $200 (26+), $500 (100 mph or more). No points, no suspension. Each program starts with 60 days of warnings, and a car’s first 11–15 mph violation is a warning. ‘Photo Enforced’ signs come first. From 2027 (SB 1279) Long Beach may add 2 cameras on PCH and cameras must blur bystanders. The handbook doesn’t say this yet. California bill AB 645 (2023-24)
Officers must say why they stopped you Since 2024-01-01
Before asking questions about a crime or traffic violation, an officer making a traffic or pedestrian stop must state the reason for the stop and record it on the ticket or report (exception: imminent threat to life or property). This is a duty of the officer; the driver’s duties (show license, registration, insurance; follow lawful orders) are unchanged. California bill AB 2773 (2021-22)

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