Student Licenses - Issuance Of Licenses, Expiration, And Renewal - Vehicle - CA

Section § 12650

If you're over 15 and taking a driver training course at a secondary school, you can apply for a student license. To do this, you need to fill out an application with the principal or a designated staff person, and have your parent or guardian sign a consent form accepting liability for any damages you might cause while driving.

If your parents don't live in California or you're a foster child without available guardians, the school can certify insurance coverage on your behalf to meet state requirements. This ensures that any damages from driving are covered by a valid insurance policy.

(a) Any student over 15 years of age taking a course in automobile driver training, maintained pursuant to Article 12 (commencing with Section 41900) of Chapter 5 of Part 24 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Education Code, in a secondary school or enrolled in a driver training course offered by a private or parochial school of secondary level may apply to the principal of the school for a student license.

(b) The application shall be signed by the applicant before the principal of the school, or a staff member assigned to such duty. The application shall be accompanied by a statement signed by the parents or guardian or person having custody of the minor, consenting to the issuance of a student license to the student and accepting liability for civil damages arising out of the student driving a motor vehicle upon a highway as provided for in Division 9 (commencing with Section 17000) of this code.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, if the person or persons required to sign a statement consenting to the issuance of a student license and accepting liability as provided in subdivision (b) are not residents of this state and the student resides at the school, or the student is a foster child with no parents or guardian available to sign this statement, the application may be accepted if the principal of the school or staff member assigned such duties certifies that the school has filed with the department a certificate of insurance carrier or surety company that there is in effect a policy or bond meeting the requirements of Section 16056, and that such policy or bond will cover the liability for civil damages arising out of the student driving a motor vehicle upon a highway.

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Section § 12651

A principal or designated staff member can give a student a license for a driving course for free if they believe the student is eligible and has filled out the application correctly.

The principal or staff member assigned such duty may issue or reissue a student license without cost whenever in his opinion the applicant is qualified to take the course of instruction and has filed a proper application therefor.

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Section § 12652

A student driver's license can only be used while the student is in a driver training class as part of a driver education program. The student must be supervised by an instructor. This license is only valid during the program and can't be used for more than a year from when it's issued.

A student license shall limit the operation of a motor vehicle to such times as the licensee is taking driver training in connection with the driver education program and then only at the direction and under the supervision of the instructor and shall be valid only for the period covered by the course and for not more than one year from the date of issuance.

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Section § 12653

This law allows a student driver's license to be canceled if the school principal or the Department of Motor Vehicles believes it's necessary for safety reasons. It also requires the license to be canceled if a parent or guardian who gave consent for the license requests it in writing.

A student license may be canceled by the principal of the school or by the department whenever, in the opinion of either, the safety of the licensee or other persons requires the action and shall be canceled upon the written request of the parent or other person who signed the consent to issue the license.

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Section § 12660

This law allows the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to create a program where licensed driving schools can issue student licenses for class 3 vehicles to students aged 15 or older. These schools can charge a fee up to $2 per applicant for this service, but only within the limits the DMV sets.

If a driving school breaks the rules, like issuing licenses fraudulently, the DMV can remove them from the program. Students must meet certain qualifications and get parent or guardian consent if they are minors.

Additionally, schools can't give a student license to anyone under 17 and a half unless they complete an approved driver education course. Driving schools and instructors must have liability insurance for accidents during lessons.

The DMV will report to the state legislature on the program's effectiveness and may shut down the program if it harms traffic safety.

(a) The department may establish a program authorizing a driving school licensed under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 11100) of Division 5 to issue a student license to operate a class 3 vehicle to any applicant 15 years of age or older, subject to the conditions specified in subdivision (d).

(b) The department may charge any driving school participating in the program a fee not to exceed two dollars ($2) per applicant to recover the department’s cost in establishing and monitoring the program. The fee that a participating school may charge an applicant for a student license may not exceed the fee that the department charges the school for the license.

(c) The department may remove a driving school from the program if the department determines that the school has issued a student license fraudulently, or has otherwise not followed the requirements of the program. This fraudulent conduct may result in cause for suspension or revocation of the driving school license.

(d)

(1) Applicants shall meet the qualification standards specified in regulations adopted by the department pursuant to Section 12661. The student license application shall be accompanied by a statement signed by the parents or guardian, or person having custody of the minor, consenting to the issuance of a student license to the applicant.

(2) No licensed driving school may issue a student license to any applicant under the age of 17 years and 6 months unless that applicant shows proof of satisfactory completion of an approved course in driver education, pursuant to standards specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 12814.6.

(e) A driving school owner or an independent instructor licensed under Section 11105.5 shall maintain liability insurance for bodily injury or property damage caused by the use of a motor vehicle in driving instruction, and for the liability of the driving school, the instructor, and the student, in accordance with Section 11103.

(f) The department shall submit a report to the Legislature on the progress of the program established under subdivision (a) within two years after the program is implemented. The report shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the costs and benefits of the program and shall include recommendations by the department.

(g) The director may terminate the program at any time the department determines that continued operation of the program would have an adverse effect on traffic safety. The finding upon which the termination is based shall be reported to the Legislature within 30 days following termination of the program.

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Section § 12661

This law section requires the department to work with the State Department of Education to establish rules for issuing student driving licenses. They need to consult the public, law enforcement, and driving schools for advice. The rules will cover areas like how to issue these licenses, ensuring student information is kept private, and monitoring the licensing process. Each student license must come with clear instructions about how long it lasts and what it can be used for.

The department, in consultation with the State Department of Education, shall adopt regulations for the issuance of student licenses pursuant to Section 12660. The department and the State Department of Education shall seek advice and input on those regulations from the public, law enforcement, and the driving school industry. The regulations shall include all of the following:

(a) Standards and procedures for the issuance of student licenses pursuant to Section 12660, including the determination of an applicant’s qualifications under Section 12805.

(b) Standards and procedures to ensure that all records of a driving school relating to the physical or mental condition of any student are confidential, except to the department.

(d) A requirement that each student license issued pursuant to Section 12660 be accompanied by a verbal and written description of the limitations of that license in terms of duration and use.

(e) Any other requirements necessary to carry out Section 12660.

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