The Provisional License and Its Curfew
Veh. Code 12814.6 — no driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and no passengers under 20 for the first 12 months
A license issued to someone at least 16 and under 18 is provisional. It comes after holding an instruction permit for at least six months and 50 hours of supervised practice, at least 10 of them in darkness.
Who handles this in California: State Bar of California, Certified Lawyer Referral Services; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the California directory.
| For the first 12 months | What it says |
|---|---|
| For the first 12 monthsNight | What it saysNo driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. |
| For the first 12 monthsPassengers | What it saysNo passengers under 20 years of age |
| For the first 12 monthsUnless | What it saysA licensed parent or guardian, a licensed driver 25 or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor is along |
An officer may not stop a car just to check. A law enforcement officer shall not stop a vehicle for the sole purpose of finding out whether the driver is breaking these restrictions.
Exceptions with a signed statement cover medical need, school, work and a family necessity, and an emancipated minor is exempt. A violation brings 8 to 16 hours of community service or a fine of up to $35 the first time, and 16 to 24 hours or up to $50 after that, and it adds no point to the record. A particular ticket is a question for a licensed California attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Veh. Code 12814.6 — The provisional licensing program
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.