California DMV driving test, CA drivers license, CDL, motorcycle practice test

Earning Driver’s Licenses and Permits in California

Automobile License

In California, minors who are over 15 years and 6 months, but younger than 18, can start their way to receiving a Class C driver’s license by applying for an instruction permit. This requires completing an approved driver education/driver training course and then passing the vision and knowledge tests. If you are 17 years and 6 months old, you can move on to the tests without completing a driver’s education/training program. If you are over 18, you still need to be learning the CA permit test to earn an instruction permit. The permit enables you to practice driving when accompanied by a licensed driver of at least 18 years of age (if you are under 18, the accompanying driver have to be 25 years or older). Once you complete the required behind-the-wheel practice and turn 16, you’ll be allowed to take a road exam. Passing it successfully, you will get a provisional DL. Persons who are older than 18 will earn a regular DL after passing the road exam.

In order to get admission to the CA knowledge test, it is necessary to provide the following documents:

• proof of your identity, birth date, and residency status;
• SSN;
• DL 44 application from;
• a payment document proving the payment of application fee ($33);
• a certificate proving your completion of driver education/enrollment in driver program (for persons aged 15 ½-17 ½ years).

If the test is failed, minors are allowed to retake it, but only within 7 days of the day the test was failed. Also, according to CA’s official driver’s license information, the fee paid for the application allows retaking the knowledge test 3 times within a year. To pass the test, you need to answer 38 questions out of 46. In addition to a common form, the test is available in various foreign languages, in American Sign Language, as well as in audible or interview-based form. Note that the California Driver Handbook is available in various languages, too.

Motorcycle License

In California, Class M1 (2-wheeld motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and all the vehicles specified for Class M2) and M2 (motorized bicycles or scooters and mopeds) licenses are available for people intending to operate motorcycles. Prior to earning the license, you have to pass a road exam and this is possible only provided you have obtained the appropriate behind-the-wheel practice. In its turn, the required driving skills may be obtained only if you got a motorcycle permit, which is available for persons of 15 ½ years of age or older. The permit is issued after the applicant passes both vision and knowledge tests. The written permit test in California includes a driver test and motorcycle test both based on the California driver/motorcycle handbooks. Note that if you are under 21, you have to submit a certificate of completion of motorcycle training in addition to the above-listed documents. You don’t need to provide any of the above-listed documents except proving the fee payment, if you have a valid driver license issued in California.

Commercial Driver’s License

CDL of Class A, B, C is available for persons who are 18 or older, but only within California’s borders. For interstate commerce activity, you need to have turned 21. Prior to obtaining your permit for driving practice, you need to take one or several knowledge tests (depending on the class of CDL and necessary endorsements). The general knowledge test based on the California CDL handbook is a mandatory exam. In order to be admitted, you have to provide an approved DL 51 medical examination report and to pay $73 fee in addition to the general requirements.

Driver-Start.com offers both CA drivers permit test practice and effective learning tools available on the website and on App Store  and Google Play . The application will help in quickly preparing for the test via mobile devices, while the website is compatible with most desktops platforms.