A California parent signs the teen's permit application, and that signature means accepting financial responsibility for the teen's driving. After that, the parent supervises or arranges 50 practice hours, signs the permit to confirm them, and enforces the first-year provisional rules.
What does a parent sign, and what does it mean?
The application signature approves the permit and makes the parent financially responsible. The handbook's wording is that a parent or guardian signs "to approve the application and accept financial responsibility." The handbook adds that parents "pay for damages if the driver is involved in a collision" while the driver is under 18.
| What you sign | When | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Approval of the teen's license application, from your own MyDMV account | Before the permit visit | You approve the application and accept financial responsibility for the teen's driving |
| Nothing new, but you attend | The permit appointment | The DMV says a parent or guardian "will need to be with you" for the appointment |
| The teen's instruction permit | Before the drive test | You confirm 50 hours of supervised practice, 10 of them at night |
| A note for the family-member exception | During the first year | Lets the teen drive an immediate family member when the provisional rules would not allow it |
| Request for Cancellation or Surrender of a Driver License or ID Card | Any time | Cancels the teen's license |
If parents share joint custody, the handbook says "both must sign." Each parent or guardian needs their own MyDMV account to approve the application online.
How does a parent run the 50 practice hours?
Plan about 2 hours a week across the 6-month permit hold, and log each drive. The teen must practice at least 50 hours, 10 at night, with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25. Other adults who meet that rule can share the driving.
Practice can only start after the first lesson with a driving school, because the permit is valid once the instructor signs it. Our supervised practice plan has a 26-week table and a log checklist.
What are the first-year rules for a teen driver?
For the first 12 months, a driver under 18 cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or carry passengers under 20 without an adult. The adult must be a parent, guardian or other California-licensed driver who is at least 25. Exceptions for medical need, school, work and driving a family member each require a signed note.
A provisional driver also cannot drive for pay. For the details and the note each exception needs, see our school's guide to California provisional license rules (opens in a new tab) and the cell phone driving law (opens in a new tab).
What insurance facts should parents know?
Every car the teen drives must carry at least California's minimum coverage, and proof must be in the car. The handbook lists the minimums as $30,000 for a single death or injury, $60,000 for more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage.
- Drive test: the handbook says you must have proof of insurance "for a drive test."
- Proof card: it must show the insurance company's name and address, the period of coverage and the policy number.
- No insurance: a driver in a collision without proper coverage faces a suspension of up to four years, no matter who was at fault.
- Check the seller: the handbook says to confirm the agent, broker or company is licensed by the California Department of Insurance.
- Low income: the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program may help; see mylowcostauto.com or call 1-866-602-8861.
Prices and when to add a teen are questions for your insurer. Our teen insurance guide covers the questions to ask.
What will the steps cost?
Plan for three fixed costs and one that varies. The DMV fees below were checked on the DMV's Licensing Fees page on October 4, 2026.
| Item | Cost | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-hour online driver education | $49.95, paid once | Traffic Tutors | Includes the mailed DL 400C |
| DMV application fee, Class C original | $46 | California DMV | Paid at the permit visit; the application and fee are valid for 12 months |
| Drive test retest | $9 per retest | California DMV | Only if the teen has to retake the drive test |
| 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training | Varies by school | A licensed driving school | The DMV suggests comparing tuition and asking about extra fees |
| Insurance | Set by your insurer | Your insurance company | Minimum coverage is required by law |
Stallion Drivers Ed is authorized to sell the course and receives a referral share. Enroll now (opens in a new tab).
How do I choose a driving school?
Start by checking the school's license on the DMV's Occupational License Lookup. The DMV says a school "must be licensed and bonded by the DMV." Then compare the practical details.
- Instructor license: check it by calling the DMV at (916) 229-3126, and ask to see the instructor's ID card.
- Training car: it must have an instructor foot brake and an extra rearview mirror, be insured and be inspected yearly.
- Prices: compare tuition and ask about any additional fees. Keep copies of receipts and contracts.
- Policies: ask about canceling or rescheduling a lesson, and get an emergency phone number.
- Area: the DMV suggests a school in an area you know, because learning is easier on familiar streets.
Quick answers
Sources
- California Driver's Handbook, Section 2: Getting an instruction permit and driver's license (opens in a new tab)
- California Driver's Handbook, Section 10: Financial responsibility, insurance requirements and collisions (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Learner's permits (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Teen driver roadmap (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Licensing fees (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Driver training schools (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 4, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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