Can you drive with other people in the vehicle with a California Learner's Permit?

Question

I'm wondering if I can drive the car with other family members as long as my father is in the passenger's seat. I'm 16 years old and my father says that I can only drive with one person in the car. My old driving instructor said otherwise. He said that I can have other people in the vehicle as long as a person 25 years of age or older is in the passenger's seat.

My father won't let me drive when I'm with the family so any help is very much appreciated.

Links to websites would be nice. :)

Answer 1

I believe your father may be mistaken in this case. When you are taking drivers ed at school aren't there other students in the car with you? In our local school district there is usually the instructor and three students in the vehicle, because the other students learn by watching what the one driving does.

I believe that your father is thinking about the part of your provisional (restricted) license , the one you will have until you turn 18, that states that you can not drive with anyone under 20 years of age in the car unless a licensed driver over 25 in in the front seat.

Unfortunately he is your father, so you have to go by his rules. Sorry.

Answer 2

"Minor's Permit Restrictions
You must practice with a parent, guardian, spouse, or an adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver license. The person must be close enough to take control of the vehicle at any time. A provisional permit does not let you drive alone—not even to a DMV office to take a driving test.

If you have an M1 or M2 permit, you cannot carry passengers, you must ride during daylight hours only, and you cannot ride on the freeway."

this is taken straight from the dmv website

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/pgs09thru12.htm#propermitrestrictions

it does not say you cannot ride with passengers with a regular permit and it does say you cant ride with passengers with an M1 or M2 permit which i think is for motorcycles if im not mistaken. im guessing if they didnt say that you cannot take passengers with a regular permit but they did with an m1 or m2 permit then its ok. when you get a provisional license for the first year you cannot drive with passengers under 20 unless an adult over 25 with a license riding in a passenger is in the car so im guessing its the same for the permit. hope i helped

Answer 3

Since you are under the age of eighteen and a newly permitted driver, your father is making the best choice for you.

Since it is his vehicle, and his vehicle insurance that is involved, it is his decision. Even though the written law may be slightly different, it is your parents decision until you a fully licensed and responsible older driver.

Answer 4

If your parents are willing to be sued for everything they own you can. Smart dad!