How old do you have to be to drive in California?

15 1/2 to get your permit (need to take drivers ed first (i think you can find this for free, your high school may offer the class), and register in a driving training (you have to pay for this, you need 6 hrs of drivers training)- you need two slips of paper that prove you have these before you can even take your permit test

16 to take your driving test and get your license

then for 1 yr, you can't drive with young ppl (under a certain age without an older person in the vehicle

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if you’re 17 1/2 you don't need all this extra stuff, at this age, you can just go and take the permit test, and practice and go get your license (don't have to wait 6 months like when you are 15 1/2, i don't think)

very wordy, i see, sry, good luck