Getting Started
Let's Get Started!
"I am approaching 15½ years old. What should I do now?"
You can start anytime, though you WILL have to wait until you
are15½ before you may obtain your permit from the DMV. Just follow
the steps below!
Step 1: Take Driver's Education
We offer the traditional, more comprehensive lecture-style Driver
Education course or the Online Driver Education. At the
end of the course you will be given a completion certificate.
Step 2: Obtain Your Permit From the DMV
To Obtain a Permit, fill out a DL44 (DMV
Permit/LicenseApplication), have your parents sign it (we are happy
to give you one!), and:
If you are 17 1/2, present your birth certificate, Social Security
number, and pass the permit test.
If you are 15 1/2, present a Driver's Education Completion
Certificate*, original birth certificate (this has purple ink or
the state seal embossed on it – NO COPIES!), Social Security number
(though if you have your card, it is our experience that it is best
to have it with you), and pass the permit test. The DMV will be
taking your picture on this day, so be prepared for that.
You must have a DL-44 signed by both parents (or guardians) who
have legal (though not necessarily physical) custody of you. You
should NOT sign the application until you are at the DMV and
instructed to do so. (The DMV employee has to watch you sign the
form). Be sure to sign your legal name. (No nicknames – and it is a
good idea to have established your consistent and legible signature
by this time). Check your permit for errors while still at the DMV.
If your name, birth-date or address is not correct, let the DMV
employee know immediately. Be sure to bring your passport or
original birth certificate (the official birth certificate is
issued by the registrar of the county/city in which you were born,
not the hospital!) If you were born in Los Angeles County, you may
obtain a copy of your birth certificate by contacting the County
Registrar's office at (800) 201-8999. Ask for the 'long' copy. If
the DMV employee has any problem with your paperwork, before you
leave the DMV, call us! We are open whenever they are,
and can be reached at 310-791-1111. The test is tough, but if you
can pass our final exam, it will be easy for you. Do Not take the
test lightly! There are 46 questions on the DMV test, and you must
wait a week to try again if you miss more than eight. Read every
question completely. You are always welcome to come back to class
for additional lectures or tests, at no charge to you if you need
additional preparation (this is offered to all of our teen
students, whether they take our classroom course the online
course).
*Note: As of June 15, 2010, an OL392 (Behind-the-Wheel Enrollment
Certificate) is obsolete and should not be required, according to
DMV Memo OLIN 2010-03 Driver Education and Driver Behind-the-Wheel
Training Certificates)
Step 3: Driver's Training (behind-the-wheel)
You must complete your first driver training lesson prior to
driving with your parent!
Driver Training is accomplished in a vehicle with a licensed DMV
instructor. (No, your parent cannot legally do this). It can be
taken any day of the week with an appointment. (These may be made
for the same day when our schedules permit). Appointments are more
difficult to make during holidays, so call early to get the
appointments best for you if you want them then. Keep in mind
though, we will not schedule a teenager who does not currently
possess a valid permit and there are times when schedules at South
Bay book up more than one month in advance..
The six-hour training requires three days, driving two hours per
day, to complete. We do not make one-hour appointments. Driver's
Training does not automatically cover freeway driving and parallel
parking. Once the student masters basic driving skills, freeway
driving and parallel parking may be included, if time permits, at
the discretion of the instructor.
Step 4: Practice, Practice, Practice!
You must be 16 years old and have completed at least 50 hours of
practice, (ten of which are at night) with someone over 25 years of
age to be eligible for your provisional license. They will require
your parent or guardian's signature on your permit, along with
their license number as proof that this has been done. You must
also hold your permit for a minimum of six months before you are
eligible to receive a license.
Step 5: Take the DMV Behind-the-Wheel Test!
Call 1-800-777-0133 to schedule your behind-the-wheel test. It
usually requires at least two weeks notice to book the test. The
DMV in this area are usually open Monday through Friday only. We
recommend the Torrance, San Pedro or Hawthorne DMV to our students.
Bring your permit (signed by your parent), Driver Training
Completion certificate, your registration and your insurance card.
Make sure you have practiced in an area similar to the DMV's of
your choice, so you are familiar with the type of driving you will
be tested on. Do NOT drive on the route before the test, nor ask
our instructors to take you on the route (This is illegal). The
examiner knows you are nervous. Pay attention to road signs.
Don't sweat the small mistakes. Stay calm. Few teens pass on the
first try, so do not think you are unusual if you fail. (Usually,it
is a matter of obtaining more practice). If you have not completed
your fifty hours with your parents, this will be apparent to the
examiner. Parallel parking and freeway driving are not part of the
current test. (But you should be familiar with both).
Step 6: You are a Licensed Driver!
For the first 12 months of your provisional license, you may not
drive with anyone under 20 or drive between the hours of 11PM and
5:00 AM, unless someone over 25 is in the car with you. (There are
exceptions, just ask our office.)
Do you have any questions? Please feel free to Contact Us.
Good Luck and Thanks for Choosing South Bay Driving School!