Young Drivers Provisional Driver’s Licenses
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Provisional driver license restrictions during the first year
After you pass your driving test, you will be issued a provisional driver license. With your provisional driver license, you must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian or other licensed driver 25 years of age or older, or by a licensed or certified driving instructor when you:
Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time, for the first twelve months.
Drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first twelve months.
This means you cannot give anyone under 20 years old (your friends, your brother(s), sister(s), cousin(s), etc.) a ride unless you have a licensed parent, a guardian or other adult 25 years old or older in the car with you. You are also not allowed to drive between 11 pm and 5 am during your first year after getting your license unless you have a licensed parent, a guardian or other adult 25 years old or older in the car with you.
With a provisional license, you can drive by yourself between the hours of 5 am and 11 pm. If you are under 18, you cannot be employed to drive a motor vehicle.
When you turn 18 years of age, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.
Effective January 1, 2006, these
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If you are younger than 18 when you obtain your driver’s license, the DMV will issue you a provisional driver’s license. The provisional restrictions on your license end twelve months after you receive your license or when you turn 18, whichever comes first.
With a provisional license, you must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian, or other licensed driver 25 years of age or old, or by a licensed and certified driving instruction if you: (1) drive passengers under 20 years old, or (2) drive between 11 pm and 5 am.
You may be exempt from the provisional restrictions of your driver’s license under the following circumstances:
•Medical necessity when reasonable transportation alternatives are inadequate. You must carry a signed note by your physician, which contains the diagnosis and probable recovery date.
•Schooling or school-authorized activity. The note must be signed by the school principal or dean. You must carry the note when you drive, and the note must explain the necessity, and the date when the driving necessity will end.
•Employment necessity and the need to operate a vehicle as part of your employment. The note must be signed by your employer verifying employment. You must carry the note when you drive, it must explain the necessity, and the date when the driving necessity will end.
•Your necessity or the necessity of an immediate family member. The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian. You must carry the note when you drive, and it must explain the necessity, and the date when the driving necessity will end.
With a provisional license, you are allowed to drive yourself between the hours of 5 am and 11 pm. If you are under 18 years old, you cannot be employed to drive a motor vehicle.
If you are an emancipated minor, no documentation is needed. However, you should carry proof of your emancipated status with you. You must also file documents with the DMV to show you are emancipated, and file either an SR-1P or SR-22 with the DMV.
If you are a young driver, or the parent of a young driver who has received a traffic ticket in Orange County, call the Law Office of Scott R. Ball for a free consultation at 714-547-7500.
