To apply for a CA permit, you must be at least 15 and a half years old. Make an appointment online or by phone at your most convenient DMV office. Before you go in, make sure you have:

• Your Social Security Number.
• Both of your parents. Both parents need to sign the DL 44 application form. This form is NOT available online, so if only one of your parents can come with you to the office, you’ll have to go get a DL 44 before the appointment and have the parent sign it.
• Original or certified copy of your birth certificate.
• Application fee, currently $31.
• Proof of passing driver’s ed or proof that you’re enrolled in an approved drivers permit education class.

When you go in for your appointment, the DMV clerk will process the DL 44 application form, give you a vision test, take your thumb prints, and give you a written test to take.

You have to get 39 out of 46 questions correct to pass the California written test to get your learners permit. Before you go in and use up a huge chunk of time, make sure you have taken plenty of practice permit test beforehand. If you cannot get 39 out of 46 questions correct on a practice test, chances are good you’re not ready for the real permit test to get a drivers permit.

The California DMV offers free practice tests in sets of 10. Consider taking a set of 50 test questions in order to practice the test in its entire length. It won't take much extra time or money, but if it saves you another trip to the DMV with both your parents to take the test again, it could be well worth it. You can also find many offers for permit practice tests online.