Can a 14-year-old Take Driver Ed in California?
The answer is often yes. Many high schools begin driver ed courses in the 10th grade. Some students will not have turned 15 yet. Driver training schools generally want students to enroll at 15, but exceptions may be made.
No matter their ages, teens must remember that they can’t apply for a learner’s permit until they’ve reached 15 and ½ years of age.
Getting an early jump on driver ed and driver training isn’t the only concern parents and their teenagers need to be focused on. Here’s a little more information on the strict requirements placed on teens as they work towards a real California Driver’s License.
Driver Education and Driver Training Requirements in California
Teens will understandably be excited and want to be ready to apply for their learner’s permit (instructional permit) as soon as they are eligible. But they’ll have some requirements to fulfill before they even get to that point.
Teens applying for a learner’s permit must show proof that they’ve already completed 30 hours of driver education courses. They must also have finished at least six hours of driver training with a professional driving instructor. This is time spent in the driver’s seat.
To meet these preconditions, teens either get this educational time as a part of their High School curriculum or at a professional driving school. Driving schools in California cost parents money, but they can go further and provide more behind-the-wheel training for teens. For more on how to find the right driving school for your teen, check out our California driving school guide.
Minimum Age for California Teens in Driver Ed High School Courses
When it comes to driver education offered by public and private schools, there is a range of ages where students may begin preparing for their driver’s permit test. The state wants driver ed as part of the 10th-grade curriculum because that’s usually when most students will be turning 15.
Of course, students entering the 10th grade will greatly vary in age. Some may be 14 ½ when they become sophomores. Other students may already be 15 ½ when they begin driver ed and driver training.
The intention of the California laws governing driver ed for teens is to have teens finishing their driver education and driver training right as they turn 15 and ½ years old. This is ideal because they’ll take the test for their learner’s permit (instructional permit) while the knowledge and experience they’ve gained in driver ed will still be fresh in their minds.
The California Department of Education goes over the education codes that govern driver ed requirements here.
Minimum Age for California Teens Enrolled in a Driver Training School
Many driving schools require students to be at least 15 years old when they start taking driver education classes and earning their driver training hours on the road. But some driver ed courses are completely online and there are some schools that will allow students to complete a series of videos whenever they want.
Most California driving schools highly recommend that students be 15 before they begin their book work and their driver training. Parents should check with any driving school their teens are considering to find out their exact policy.
There’s not a set age exactly, but the guidelines are written to make sure driving hopefuls are as prepared as possible for driving responsibilities.
It’s beneficial for them to complete their driver ed and driver training coursework just as they become eligible to take the learner’s permit test at 15 1/2 years old. The test will hopefully be easier with recent experience at the front of their minds.
Check out Maison Law’s Ultimate Guide to California Driver Ed Requirements for more information on what’s needed to earn a learner’s permit.
A word for Teen Drivers in California Accidents…
Teens learning to deal with California traffic for the first time can find themselves in accidents just like any other driver. They can suffer serious injuries and not every accident will be their fault. In some cases, it’ll be another driver who should be providing financial help to pay emergency room bills and offering everything necessary to help your teen recover.
Talk to a California Teen Driver Car Accident Lawyer with Maison Law in a free consultation. It’s a no-risk way to find out how to fight back against unfair accusations. You should also know what your teen’s injury is worth so you can demand full compensation from a careless driver’s car insurance company. Maison Law makes sure your family has what they need to rebuild their lives after an accident.
