Can a 16 Year Old Drive with Passengers in California?

Teens can get a learner’s permit starting at age 15 ½ in California. They receive a license six months later if they pass the driving test at the DMV. But there are restrictions with that license. The question is, can a 16 year old drive with passengers in California?

Steps to Getting a Drivers License in California

Can a 16 year old drive with passengers in California? A license comes with restrictions at first but are passengers not allowed? Teens can start working towards getting their driver’s license at the age of 15 ½. However, that only means that teens can start attending a driving school.

Teens must complete driving school and pass a written test at the DMV before getting their permits. The next step is to participate behind the wheel training, which validates the permit and allows teens to drive with someone over the age of 25. This process can go slow, or it can go fast; it all depends on the teen.

However, teens cannot apply for the driving test until 6 months after they receive a learner’s permit. Teens will also need to pass a driving test at the DMV before they are finally handed a paper version of a provisional driver’s license; the final one will be mailed out. 

What is a Provisional License

Can a 16 year old drive with passengers in California? The answer is no, but it’s not as simple as that. Teens will receive a provisional license in California if they receive it under the age of 18. A provisional license is a license that will allow you to drive alone but with some caveats.

For example, teens who are 16 with a license cannot drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first 12 months. That means the time provision drops off at the age of 17. The other condition is all about passengers. A 16 year old cannot transport passengers under the age of 20 years unless one of the passengers is a licensed parent or guardian or is over the age of 25 with a license.

The only other exception is if the passenger is a certified driving instructor. But again, it’s still not that simple. 

Can a 16 Year Old Drive with Passengers in California | Provisional License Exceptions

Can a 16 year old drive with passengers in California? No, unless they meet one of the few exceptions the state has in place. The goal is safety, and passengers could make it hard for teens to focus on driving. However, some exceptions allow a teen to drive with passengers under the age of 20 years old without a licensed parent or guardian in the car.

Medical necessity is one of those provisions, but only if reasonable alternatives are not available and a physician has signed a note. The note must state the diagnosis and probable recovery date. Another exception is an authorized school activity, also with a signed note from the school’s principal or dean.

Employment necessity is another exception, but you guessed it, you must have a signed note from your employer. The last exception is to drive an immediate family member. This last exception also requires a signed note by the teen’s parent or guardian stating the reason and probable end date of the necessity to drive.