In California, teens can get a learner permit at 15.5 and an intermediate license at 16, with full privileges at 17. The state minimum liability requirement is 30/60/15, which is a legal floor rather than adequate protection for a family with a new driver.
| Learner permit age | 15.5 |
|---|---|
| Intermediate license age | 16 |
| Full unrestricted license age | 17 |
| Supervised driving required | 50 hours, including 10 at night |
| Night driving restriction | No driving 11pm to 5am |
| Passenger restriction | No passengers under 20 |
| Minimum liability limits | 30/60/15 |
| Uninsured motorist required | No |
| No-fault state | No |
California raised its minimum limits to 30/60/15 in 2025.
Uninsured motorist coverage is not required in this state. It is still worth carrying — it is the part of the policy that protects your own teen rather than the other driver.
In California, a teen can apply for a learner permit at 15.5 and an intermediate license at 16. Full unrestricted driving privileges begin at 17. Between the intermediate and full stages, passenger and night driving restrictions still apply, and violating them can delay full licensure.
50 hours, including 10 at night is what California requires before a teen can take the road test. Log them deliberately rather than at the last minute — insurers credit completed driver training, and the supervised period is the cheapest time your teen will ever have to make mistakes safely.
No passengers under 20 is the California rule during the intermediate license stage. Passenger limits exist because teen crash risk climbs sharply with each additional teen passenger. A crash that occurs while in violation can complicate both the claim and the question of liability.
No driving 11pm to 5am is the restriction California places on intermediate license holders. Night driving carries meaningfully higher crash risk for inexperienced drivers, which is why nearly every state limits it. Build after-school jobs and activities around the cutoff rather than against it.
California requires at least 30/60/15 in liability coverage — that is $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is not required here. These figures are legal floors, not recommendations for a household with a teen driver.
Most California families with meaningful assets should carry well above the 30/60/15 state minimum — commonly 100/300/100 or higher, with matching uninsured motorist limits. A serious at-fault crash involving a teen can exhaust minimum limits quickly, and the balance is collected from your assets.
The liability figures on this page come from an industry compilation built from state insurance departments. We have not yet confirmed them against a California Department of Insurance publication directly — verify before relying on them for a filing deadline or legal question.
Rate examples are illustrative national figures gathered from public filings and industry surveys. They are not quotes. Your actual premium depends on your state, carrier, vehicle, driving record, and eligibility for discounts. Teen Driver is an insurance marketing and referral service, not an insurer or licensed agency. We connect families with licensed independent agents. Questions? Call (855) 706-3520.
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