Provisional license calculator

A new California license comes with a first year of rules, a set of penalties that follow a teen past their 18th birthday, and one insurance date worth circling on day one. Enter two dates and see all of them.

The first-year rules, from the source

California's provisional license rules are in Vehicle Code 12814.6 and summarized by the DMV in Fast Facts FFDL 19: during the first 12 months a provisional driver may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or carry passengers under 20 without a qualifying adult, and drivers under 18 may not use a phone while driving, even hands-free. Points carry their own penalties — a 30-day restriction at two points in 12 months, a 6-month suspension and a year of probation at three.

What it means for insurance

Every point on a young driver's record matters twice: once to the DMV, and again to the Good Driver test, which allows no more than one point in three years (Insurance Code 1861.025). The cleanest path to lower rates is simply reaching the three-year date above with an empty record.

Sources (official)

• California Vehicle Code section 12814.6 (provisional license restrictions)
• California DMV Fast Facts FFDL 19 — Provisional licensing
• California DMV Driver Handbook — Instruction permits and driver's licenses
• California Insurance Code section 1861.025 (three years licensed for Good Driver status)

Dates are calculated from what you enter. The DMV record controls; confirm with the DMV, especially if the driver turns 18 before the first 12 months end.