California Laws on Teens Caught Driving With No Licenses
Getting a driver's license is something many teens look forward to. Teens may want to practice driving long before they can legally obtain a license. California has laws that allow teens to receive learner's permits and provisional licenses that allow them to learn to drive under supervision before they operate a vehicle alone. If a teen chooses to operate a vehicle without a license and is not in accordance with the laws, he can face penalties.
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Learner's Permit Laws
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Teenagers who are at least 15 1/2 but under the age of 18 can apply for a learner's permit. You must have parental consent and you must pass a vision test and a traffic laws and traffic sign test. In order to receive the permit, the traffic laws and sign test must be passed with a score of at least 39 correct answers out of a possible 46. You must also provide the paperwork to enroll in the driver's education course to be eligible for a learner's permit. Once you have your learner's permit, you can legally operate a vehicle when an adult at least 25 years old who holds a valid California driver's license is with you.
Driver's License Laws
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You can apply for a driver's license when you turn 16 and have had your permit for at least six months, if you meet certain requirements. You must have completed driver's education, six hours of driver's training and 50 hours of supervised driving under the watch of an adult at least 25 years old. You must also pass the driving test. If you meet these requirements, you will get a provisional license for 12 months.
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Punishment
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If you are caught driving without a license in California, you will receive a fine and your car will be towed and impounded. You will have to pay court fees and towing fees to get your car back. Second offenders may have their vehicle taken away for good. Driving without a license is considered a misdemeanor, but if you are convicted in court, it will give you a criminal record. You may also be sentenced to jail time that can last from five days to six months. Fines can range from $300 to $1,000. This misdemeanor may also cause you to have to wait longer to legally apply for a license.
Restrictions
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Drivers with a provisional license cannot drive with anyone under the age of 20 in the car unless accompanied by an adult at least 25 years old. Drivers with a provisional license may not drive from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Anyone under the age of 18 years old is not allowed to be employed as a driver. Parents or guardians of minors must provide their signature accepting financial responsibility of the minor before a minor can receive a license. Drivers in California must have insurance meeting minimum requirements. These requirements are $5,000 for damage to property, $15,000 for death or injury to a person, and $30,000 for death or injury to two people.
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