Permit
What is the process for a minor to get a permit at the DMV?
The DMV permit test is now given by appointment ONLY. Drop-ins may be turned away. If the Paso Robles DMV does not have any openings, widen your search to consider San Luis Obispo, King City etc. to get an earlier time.
The student must bring a certified copy of his/her birth certificate, Social Security number, certificate of completion for driver education, completed driver license application form (DL 44), and pay an application fee; currently $33.
The student must pass an eye test, give a thumb print, have their photograph taken and pass a 46 question test with no more than 8 errors. If the student fails the written test, he/she must wait one week before another attempt can be made. In order to provide enough time for the test, no tests will be given after 4:30 P.M.
Driver Training
How many hours of instruction do students need to get their license?
Student drivers under the age of 18 are required to have 6 hours of training with a licensed driving instructor before they can take their license exam. In addition, they are required to have a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving experience with a licensed California driver 25 or older; at least ten hours at night. The DMV encourages parents and students to keep a log of practice time behind the wheel.
Is a student driver who is already 16 or 17 still required to have an instruction permit for six months?
Yes. All students under 18 must have a valid permit for a minimum of six months before getting their license. The six months begins from the day that they obtain their permit, not from the day they take their first driving lesson. At 18 years of age, a driver license applicant must have a permit but is not required to hold it for a minimum period of time.
Should I take my student driver out on public roads to practice before their first driving lesson?
We discourage parents from taking their children out driving on public roads before they have had their first lesson with the instructor. The permit is not yet valid and students may develop bad habits from this early training. On the first lesson, the driving instructor will sign the student’s permit which will make it legal for the student driver to begin practicing with a licensed California driver 25 or older.
Is there only one student at a time in the car during driving lessons?
Yes. We provide one on one instruction for each lesson. There are instances however where one student at the beginning of his/her lesson will drive the previous student home. We do this so that the lessons can be scheduled back to back. In this case, the lessons will overlap 15 minutes or less. We are careful to make sure that each student gets their full 90 minutes of instruction.
Can a student driver practice driving with siblings or friends in the car?
Yes. The DMV requires that a student driver be accompanied by a licensed California driver 25 or older who is in a position to give instruction and sit close enough to be able to take control of the vehicle at any time. There is no restriction regarding younger passengers as long as this requirement is met. Many times however an inexperienced driver will do better without the distraction of having friends or siblings in the back seat during the first several driving sessions with a parent.
What are the restrictions on newly licensed 16 and 17 year olds?
Effective January 1, 2006, newly licensed drivers under 18 must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian, other licensed driver 25 years of age or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor when they:
a) Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time for the first twelve months.
b) Drive between 11 PM and 5 AM for the first twelve months.
Effective July 1, 2008, Drivers under the age of 18 may not use any type of wireless device such as a telephone (including “hands-free”), pager, laptop, or any other electronic communication or mobile services device to speak or text, while driving.
EXCEPTION: A cell phone may be used in an emergency situation to call police, fire or medical authorities.
Training Vehicles
Are your training vehicles well maintained and safe?
Yes. The DMV requires that our training vehicles be inspected at least once a year by a licensed repair facility. In addition, the training vehicles undergo routine preventative maintenance to insure that they remain in safe working order. If a vehicle is found to be unsafe, the vehicle is taken out of service and repaired promptly.
Miscellaneous
Do you offer traffic violator school?
No. However you can find information about traffic violator schools located in Paso Robles at the DMV website.