California Teen Driver Practice Quiz
California's Graduated Driver License (GDL) program has strict rules for under-18 drivers. The provisional license restrictions, 50-hour log, and curfew rules are all heavily tested. Test yourself on these scenarios.
Sample Questions
1. The minimum age to apply for a California instruction permit is:
A. 14
B. 15
C. 15 1/2 ✓
D. 16
Why: You can apply for an instruction permit at 15 1/2 (15 years and 6 months) after completing driver education.
2. A California teen must hold an instruction permit for at least how long before taking the drive test?
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 months ✓
D. 1 year
Why: A teen permit must be held for at least 6 months (or until 18) before taking the behind-the-wheel test.
3. Teens must complete how many hours of supervised driving before the road test?
A. 25
B. 30
C. 50 ✓
D. 100
Why: 50 hours of supervised practice with a California-licensed driver age 25+, including 10 hours at night.
4. The supervising driver for a permit holder must be at least:
A. 18
B. 21
C. 25 ✓
D. 30
Why: For teen permit holders (under 18), the supervising driver must be at least 25 years old and hold a valid CA license.
5. How many of the 50 supervised hours must be at night?
A. 5
B. 10 ✓
C. 15
D. 20
Why: 10 of the 50 hours must be at night (between sunset and sunrise).
6. During the first 12 months of a provisional license, a teen cannot drive between:
A. 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
B. 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
C. 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. ✓
D. Midnight and 6 a.m.
Why: First-12-month curfew is 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver age 25+.
7. During the first 12 months of provisional license, a teen cannot transport passengers under what age (without a 25+ driver)?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 20 ✓
D. 21
Why: No passengers under 20 in the first 12 months unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver 25+.
8. A teen with a provisional license uses a hands-free Bluetooth earpiece to take a call from a parent. Is this legal?
A. Yes — hands-free is always allowed
B. No — teens cannot use any wireless device while driving except emergencies ✓
C. Only on local streets
D. Only with parent permission
Why: Under 18, the law prohibits ALL wireless device use, including hands-free, except for emergencies.
9. When does a provisional licensee no longer have curfew or passenger restrictions?
A. After 12 months OR when they turn 18 ✓
B. After 6 months
C. After getting first job
D. When they get insurance
Why: Restrictions lift automatically after 12 months OR when the driver turns 18, whichever comes first.
10. A teen driver violates curfew (drives at midnight without a 25+ adult). What can the consequence be?
A. No consequence — restrictions are guidelines
B. Citation, fines, and possible extension of the restricted period ✓
C. Automatic license revocation
D. Warning only
Why: Teens violating provisional restrictions can receive citations, fines, and possible extension of the restricted period.