ARTICLE 2. Student Licenses [12650. - 12661.]

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH 2.

in effect

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 12650. Section 12650.

(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.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 12651. Section 12651.

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.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 12652. Section 12652.

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.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 12653. Section 12653.

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.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 12660. Section 12660.

(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.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 12661. Section 12661.

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. (c) Standards and procedures for monitoring the issuance of student licenses. (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.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026