If I am 15 and have my learner's permit only, can I still drive to school/work alone with a signed note in CA?

Question

i'm really maaaad because i thought i would just start driving locally with my permit and not get caught or anything because i wouldn't do anything stupid, and somehow i thought my mom would be okay with it cause she knows how much i need freedom right now but she's so stuck on 'following the law' to every little detail AAAHHHHHHH


so anyways this would help me if i could get some answers.
thank you.

hi thanks for the answers. to the last guy whos answered me, who provided info fromthe website, i was there too, and thats why i was wondering. for school and work transportation, if i don't have "reasonable means" of transportation, couldn't i get a note signed by my employer and school dean and use that? my question really is could i do that with a permit or do i need a provisional license?

Answer 1

Nope, not with a learner's permit. A learner's permit is just that, a permit to LEARN.

The exact details can be found here:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm

At age 16, you can declare your self an emacipated minor. (See section on exceptions)

In which case you will have the rights to drive yourself when you've obtained your LICENSE.

However as an emacipated minor, you'll also have the responsibilities of car insurance, which is not cheap, not to mention difficult to obtain for minors. It's really a catch 22 because you can't legally drive without insurance.

Answer 2

I know that if I have the opportunity to have or get a learner permit I would just do what the rules say do, unless it was an emergency. so that I wouldn't lose the little privileges I have. I know you may feel eager to go alone, but time will pass quicker than you think. Now to stop sounding like a par. I live in La. where young people do a lot of things and you hear about it all the time on the news or from your neighbors. So to answer your ? I would say 75% of the time, because the other 25% you are trying to do it your way and that's only because you really want your indepenence.

Answer 3

No, there needs to be a pressing reason for you to drive without an adult. Its not horribly unlikely that you would be pulled over either, being unexperienced and all. If you are pulled over driving with a permit and no adult (25 years of age) you can lose the ability to get your driver's license until you are 18 and the car could be impounded. Chill out, its only 6 months until you can take your driving test. Below are the exceptions to the driving restrictions.

Exceptions to Restrictions

When reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive, the law grants the following exceptions for minors to drive between 11 pm and 5 am or to transport an immediate family member unaccompanied and unsupervised.

The law requires that you must carry a note explaining why you must drive and when the necessity will end.

* Medical Necessity
The note must be signed by your physician and contain a diagnosis and probable date when recovery will end your need to drive.
* School or School–Authorized Activities
The note must be signed by your school principal, dean, or his or her designee and include a reason for the school or school–authorized activity and the date when the activity will end.
* Employment Necessity
The note must be signed by your employer and verify employment and the date your employment will end.
* Immediate Need of Family Member
The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian and include the reason and date the necessity will end.
* Emancipated Minor
No documentation is needed for this exemption, however you must have already declared yourself emancipated by completing a DMV form and by providing Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of your guarantors’ signatures when you applied for your instruction permit.

Answer 4

Can you? Yes, but if you are asking if it is legal, then the answer is no. Usually I don't say this, but listen to your Mom on this one.

Answer 5

dude you gotta be 16 1/2 before you can do that. sorry.