Bring the driver education certificate, an identity document, proof of California residency, the Social Security number if the teen has one, and a parent or guardian. The application should already be started online and approved by the parent. At the office the teen pays the fee, takes a vision exam, a photo and a fingerprint, and passes a knowledge test with 80% or better.
What should you do online before the permit visit?
Start the driver's license application online and have a parent approve it before you book. The DMV's teen roadmap sets out this order.
- The teen creates their own MyDMV account with their name, email and personal details.
- The teen starts the driver's license application online.
- A parent or guardian approves it from their own MyDMV account. If both parents or guardians have custody, both must sign.
- The DMV prompts you to schedule the appointment and upload documents. Bring the same documents to the office.
What is on the permit visit checklist?
Seven items cover a minor's permit visit. Lay them out the night before, or print our one-page permit checklist (PDF) and tick them off.
- Application, started online and approved by a parent or guardian.
- A parent or guardian. The teen roadmap says a parent or guardian "will need to be with you" at the appointment.
- Driver education certificate: the DL 400C from the online course, or a Certificate of Enrollment from an integrated driver education and training program.
- Proof of identity, unless the teen already has a California ID card.
- Proof of California residency, unless the teen already has a California ID card. A REAL ID needs two residency documents.
- Social Security number, if the teen has one.
- The application fee. See the fee step below.
Which identity and residency documents does the DMV accept?
For identity, bring one document with the teen's full name and date of birth, such as a valid U.S. passport or a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate. The DMV's REAL ID checklist says "Abbreviated" or "Abstract" birth certificates are not accepted. The DMV keeps a separate document list for a standard, non-REAL ID card.
For residency, the REAL ID checklist asks for two different printed documents with the applicant's name and California mailing address. Most teens have none in their own name. A minor may use a document in a parent's name by also showing a tracing document, such as a birth certificate, that proves the relationship.
- Home utility bill or cell phone bill.
- Bank or credit union records.
- Insurance documents, such as medical, home or vehicle.
- School documents that include the student's date of birth.
- A rental or lease agreement signed by the owner and the tenant.
If the identity document shows a different name than the teen's current full name, bring a document for each legal name change.
Does a teen need a Social Security number for a permit?
A teen who is eligible for a Social Security number must provide it. The DMV's provisional licensing fact sheet says to "provide your SSN, if eligible," and that it is verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office.
Should a teen get a REAL ID permit?
A REAL ID is optional, and the main reason to choose it is flying. Since May 7, 2025, a federally compliant card such as a passport or REAL ID is needed to board a domestic flight. The DMV notes that the TSA does not require travelers under 18 to show ID when flying within the U.S. with a companion.
| Choice | What the card shows | Documents at the visit | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| REAL ID | A golden bear and star | Identity, SSN if eligible, and 2 residency documents | Boarding U.S. flights and entering secure federal facilities |
| Standard card | "Federal Limits Apply" | Identity and residency from the DMV's standard list | Driving and photo ID, but not boarding U.S. flights |
A first REAL ID always needs an in-person DMV visit. The permit visit is in person anyway, which makes it an easy time to decide.
What happens at the DMV office?
The visit follows a set order: documents, fee, vision exam, photo, then the written test. The DMV's fact sheet for minors also lists giving a fingerprint.
- A DMV technician reviews the documents.
- The teen pays the nonrefundable application fee. On October 4, 2026, the DMV fee table listed $46 for an original Class C driver's license application, which is the application a permit starts. The application and fee stay valid for 12 months.
- The teen takes a vision exam.
- The teen has a photo taken and gives a fingerprint.
- The teen takes the knowledge test: multiple choice questions based on the California Driver's Handbook, with 80% needed to pass.
If the teen fails the knowledge test, the handbook says a minor waits 7 days, not counting the day of the failure, so the earliest retake is on day 8. The application allows 3 attempts before the teen must reapply. Our permit test study plan covers how to prepare.
Quick answers
Sources
- California DMV: Learner's permits (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Teen Driver Roadmap (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Fast Facts FFDL 19, Provisional Licensing (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: REAL ID Checklist (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: What is REAL ID? (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Licensing fees (opens in a new tab)
- California Driver's Handbook, Section 3: The testing process (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 4, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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