Section 12509 Of Article 1. Persons Required To Be Licensed, Exemptions, And Age Limits From California Vehicle Code >> Division 6. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 1.
12509
. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (f) of
Section 12514, the department, for good cause, may issue an
instruction permit to a physically and mentally qualified person who
meets one of the following requirements and who applies to the
department for an instruction permit:
(1) Is 15 years and 6 months of age or older, and has successfully
completed approved courses in automobile driver education and driver
training as provided in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section
12814.6.
(2) Is 15 years and 6 months of age or older, and has successfully
completed an approved course in automobile driver education and is
taking driver training as provided in paragraph (3) of subdivision
(a) of Section 12814.6.
(3) Is 15 years and 6 months of age and enrolled and participating
in an integrated automobile driver education and training program as
provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of
Section 12814.6.
(4) Is over 16 years of age and is applying for a restricted
driver's license pursuant to Section 12814.7.
(5) Is over 17 years and 6 months of age.
(b) The applicant shall qualify for, and be issued, an instruction
permit within 12 months from the date of the application.
(c) An instruction permit issued pursuant to subdivision (a) shall
entitle the applicant to operate a vehicle, subject to the
limitations imposed by this section and any other provisions of law,
upon the highways for a period not exceeding 24 months from the date
of the application.
(d) Except as provided in Section 12814.6, a person, while having
in his or her immediate possession a valid permit issued pursuant to
paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a), may operate a
motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, motorized scooter, or a
motorized bicycle, when accompanied by, and under the immediate
supervision of, a California-licensed driver with a valid license of
the appropriate class who is 18 years of age or over and whose
driving privilege is not subject to probation. An accompanying
licensed driver at all times shall occupy a position within the
driver's compartment that would enable the accompanying licensed
driver to assist the person in controlling the vehicle as may be
necessary to avoid a collision and to provide immediate guidance in
the safe operation of the vehicle.
(e) A person, while having in his or her immediate possession a
valid permit issued pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), may
only operate a government-owned motor vehicle, other than a
motorcycle, motorized scooter, or a motorized bicycle, when taking
driver training instruction administered by the California National
Guard.
(f) The department may also issue an instruction permit to a
person who has been issued a valid driver's license to authorize the
person to obtain driver training instruction and to practice that
instruction in order to obtain another class of driver's license or
an endorsement.
(g) The department may further restrict permits issued under
subdivision (a) as it may determine to be appropriate to ensure the
safe operation of a motor vehicle by the permittee.