LA Driving Instructor cheat sheet

California driving school license: issued by DMV, requires an application (OL 799), a $150 non-refundable application fee, fingerprint clearance, a business location that meets zoning and signage rules, and a $25,000 surety bond for a driving school or $15,000 for an all-terrain vehicle training school.

Instructor license: requires a valid California driver's license held at least two years, a clean driving record (no more than one point in the prior three years, no DUI in the prior seven years), a high school diploma or equivalent, a 30-hour instructor training course, and a DMV-administered written and driving test.

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) instructor: must hold a valid instructor license and complete a DMV-approved ATV safety training program; ATV training cannot be given on public roads except to cross.

Driving school owner/operator: must file a surety bond with DMV, maintain records of instruction for at least three years, and notify DMV within 10 days of any change of address, ownership, or instructor employment.

License renewal: driving school and instructor licenses expire every three years; renewal requires a completed application, fee, and proof of continuing education (instructors: 15 hours of DMV-approved instruction during the license term).

Portal for existing driving schools (DMV Driving School Licensing Portal): used to submit license applications and renewals, update instructor rosters, order and print student certificates (DL 400), and view license status; each school has an administrator account and individual instructor accounts.

Advertising rules: a licensed school must include its license number on all advertisements, business cards, and vehicles used for instruction; unlicensed schools may not advertise or accept compensation for instruction.

Vehicle requirements: instruction vehicles must be equipped with dual brakes, an instructor-side rearview mirror, and seat belts for all occupants; vehicles must pass an annual safety inspection and carry minimum liability insurance of $500,000 per occurrence.

Violations: operating an unlicensed driving school is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine; DMV may suspend or revoke a license for fraud, misrepresentation, or failure to maintain records.

Temporary instructional permit (California): available to applicants at least 15½ but under 18; requires completion of driver education (30 hours) and driver training (6 hours) or enrollment in both, a parent/guardian signature on the DL 44, and a passing vision test (20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses).

Permit restrictions for minors: must be accompanied by a licensed driver 25 or older (or a licensed driver 18 or older if the accompanying driver is a parent/guardian or instructor), may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and may not carry passengers under 20 unless accompanied by a licensed driver 25 or older.

Permit validity: a temporary instructional permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance; if it expires, the applicant must reapply and pay the fee again.

Parent/guardian certification: a parent or guardian must certify 50 hours of supervised driving practice (10 of which must be at night) before a minor may take the driving test; the certification is signed under penalty of perjury on the DL 44 or online.

Provisional license (under 18): issued after passing the driving test; for the first 12 months, the driver may not transport passengers under 20 unless accompanied by a licensed driver 25 or older, and may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. without a parent/guardian or licensed driver 25 or older.

Parental consent for minors: a parent or guardian must sign the DL 44 application and any change to the minor's driving privileges; if a parent withdraws consent, DMV must cancel the permit or license.

Student records: a driving school must keep a record of each student's instruction, including dates, hours, and instructor name, for at least three years, and must provide a copy to the student or parent upon request.

Driver education and training: driver education is a 30-hour classroom course; driver training is 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a licensed instructor; both must be completed before a minor can receive a provisional license.

Adaptive trainer license: issued by DMV to instructors who teach persons with disabilities; requires a valid instructor license, completion of a DMV-approved adaptive training course, and a vehicle equipped with adaptive devices appropriate to the student's needs.

Adaptive training vehicles: must have dual controls and any adaptive equipment (hand controls, spinner knobs, left-foot accelerators) inspected and approved by DMV; the instructor must demonstrate proficiency with each device.

Third party tester (TPT): a private entity authorized by DMV to administer the driving test for commercial or noncommercial licenses; must enter into a written agreement with DMV, post a bond, and meet facility and staffing requirements.

TPT examiner qualifications: must hold a valid California driver's license for the class being tested, have at least three years of driving experience in that class, complete DMV examiner training, and pass a background check.

TPT testing standards: must use DMV-approved routes and scoring sheets, maintain a 90% or higher first-time pass rate consistency with DMV, and allow DMV audits and mystery-shopper tests.

TPT records: must retain test results, score sheets, and examiner certifications for at least three years and make them available to DMV upon request.

TPT fees: may charge a fee for the driving test, but must disclose the fee in writing before the test and may not charge for retests differently than DMV policy allows.

DMV oversight: may suspend or revoke a TPT agreement for falsifying test results, failing to maintain standards, or refusing an audit; the TPT must notify DMV within 10 days of any change in ownership or examiner staff.

License classes: Class C (noncommercial vehicles), Class A/B (commercial), Class M1/M2 (motorcycles); a Class C license allows driving a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 lbs or less and towing a trailer up to 10,000 lbs.

Vision requirement: minimum 20/40 in each eye with or without corrective lenses; if worse than 20/40 but at least 20/70, a restricted license may be issued after a vision specialist report and a driving test; 20/200 or worse in the better eye requires a referral to DMV's vision review.

Medical requirements: applicants must report any condition that affects driving ability (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes, heart condition, vision loss); DMV may require a medical report (DL 51) and may issue a restricted license with periodic review.

Knowledge test: 36 questions for a Class C permit, 30 correct answers required (83%); the test is available in multiple languages and may be taken up to three times per application fee.

Driving test: approximately 20 minutes, scored on a 100-point scale; a critical driving error (e.g., examiner intervention, violation of traffic law) results in automatic failure; up to 15 non-critical errors are allowed.

License issuance: after passing knowledge and driving tests, DMV issues an interim license valid for 60 days; the permanent license is mailed within 3-4 weeks; applicants under 21 receive a vertical license with a distinct color.

Driver manuals: the California Driver Handbook is available online and in print; it covers traffic laws, safe driving practices, and license requirements; the Commercial Driver Handbook covers Class A/B and commercial endorsements.

Restrictions and endorsements: common restrictions include corrective lenses, automatic transmission, and no freeway driving; endorsements include motorcycle (M1), commercial (A/B), and hazardous materials (H).

License renewal: drivers under 70 may renew online or by mail every 5 years; drivers 70 and older must renew in person and pass a vision test; a driving test may be required if DMV has concerns about medical fitness.