After an unlicensed teen driver caused an Irvine car crash that killed five people, it raised new questions about what teen drivers in California can do — and what they can't.

• Age Limit California Driver's License
• Driver's License Age Ohio
• New California Driver's License Requirements
• License Age By State
• Driver License Age Limit

Investigators are trying to determine what led to the accident, which occurred during a ride home from Knott's Scary Farm, and how the teen came to be behind the wheel of the BMW.

California in 2006 enacted laws that substantially restrict what drivers under the age of 18 can do behind the wheel.

While the number of teenagers who die each year in traffic accidents has decreased since the 1970s, their share of overall crash fatalities remains disproportionately high.

The fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16- to 19-year-olds is roughly three times the rate for drivers aged 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

License Renewal Rules for Older Drivers. Special rules apply to drivers who are 70 and older who seek to renew their licenses. Time limits: Drivers age 70 and older must renew in person every five years. Vision test: Required at in-person renewal. A California issued REAL ID driver license or identification card meets these new requirements and is marked with a gold bear and star. Applying for a REAL ID requires proofs of identity, social security number (SSN) if eligible, California residency, and a trip to a DMV office. 52 rows  Permit required for one year if under 18 years of age. 16 years - No 11 p.m.

Age Limit California Driver's License

California law now requires teens be subject to 'provisional license restrictions.' What does that mean? We had a little help from the California Department of Motor Vehicles answering those questions.

What are the restrictions of a provisional license?

Every licensed driver under the age of 18 is subject to provisional restrictions.

For the first 12 months, a driver must be accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian, an instructor or another licensed driver who is at least 25 years old, during the following situations:

• Carrying passengers who are 20 years old or younger
• Driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Additionally, drivers younger than 18 cannot use electronic communication devices while driving. That means no using cell phones to text or talk — even in hands-free mode.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes, but a signed note must be kept in the teen's possession that explains why they need the exception and what date the exception will end. The exceptions are as follows:

• For medical-related transportation when reasonable alternatives are not sufficient — signed note from doctor required
• For school or a school activity — signed note from school principal or other official
• For a job when operating a vehicle is part of employment — signed note from employer
• For your own need or that of an immediate family member — signed note from parent or guardian
• No documentation required for emancipated minors, if already declared as such to the DMV with Proof of Financial Responsibility

What about exceptions for emergency situations?

The law says nothing on emergencies, leaving it up to officers to determine whether to issue a citation. However, teens can use a cell phone in the event of an emergency to contact police, fire or medical authorities.

What are the penalties for violating the terms of a provisional license?

A 30-day restriction will be placed on the teen's license if he or she receives two or more points for violations in one year. Three or more points nets a teen a six-month suspension and a one-year probation. If the teen violates probation, the suspension can extend beyond his or her 18th birthday. Additionally, community service hours or fines will be imposed for violating certain provisions.

How can you tell if the license is provisional?

A provisional license will include the date that restrictions began near the bottom, just to the left of the photo. Certain restrictions are removed one year from that date (see above).

How does the provisional license apply to motorcycles?

Teens provisionally licensed to ride mopeds or motorcycles cannot carry passengers. They can only ride during daylight hours. And they cannot ride on any freeway.

Who is liable if a provisionally licensed teen gets in an accident?

The short answer: their parents. A parent or guardian must sign for a minor to get a license and when they do, they are accepting financial responsibility. Under California law, that means carrying the following minimum monetary limits:

• $15,000 for injury or death of 1 person per accident
• $30,000 for injury or death of 2 or more persons per accident
• $5,000 for any property damage per accident

Driver's License Age Ohio

Do the rules apply for out-of-state licenses?

Technically, the rules apply to minors who surrender an out-of-state license for one issued by the state of California.

How do I talk to my teen about driver responsibility and safety?

The California Department of Motor Vehicles offers a parent-teen training guide to help navigate the tricky conversation of driver safety and responsibility.

Part of that guide is a parent-teen driver contract, which acts as a sort of template for defining roles and responsibilities. The contract includes a checklist of assignable roles, including who should pay for vehicle damage, basic maintenance and fuel, tickets and other fees. It also includes pledges where both parent and teen can sign their initials. Some examples of parent pledges:

• 'I will provide respectful feedback when accompanying my teen driver in a vehicle.'
• 'I will serve as a good role model when operating a vehicle.'

Examples of teen pledges:

• 'I will never drink alcohol and/or use drugs and drive.'
• 'I will not drive aggressively, such as speeding, tailgating, or cutting others off.'

Other helpful resources from the guide include:

The DMV also has a young driver's web page.

FAQ Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles

In California, there are more than 5.5 million drivers over the age of 55—and more than 2.5 million of them are 70 or older. While the myriad rules and regulations enforced by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) apply to drivers of all ages and stages, the state imposes some special requirements and restrictions on older drivers.

California state rules are explained in more detail below, but a number of them focus on identifying and handling older drivers who may have become unsafe. Specifically, California:

New California Driver's License Requirements

• requires drivers age 70 and older to renew their licenses in person and to take both a vision test and written test when doing so
• accepts requests from family members and others for the DMV to conduct unsafe driver investigations, and
• requires doctors who diagnose patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions that may make them unsafe drivers to report the diagnosis.

License Renewal Rules for Older Drivers

Special rules apply to drivers who are 70 and older who seek to renew their licenses.

Time limits: Drivers age 70 and older must renew in person every five years.

License Age By State

Vision test: Required at in-person renewal. DMV personnel will conduct a test free, or drivers can have an exam performed by an outside ophthalmologist or optometrist, who must complete a Report of Vision Examination and conduct the exam within six months of the renewal request.

Written test: Required at in-person renewal.

Road test: Required only if there are indications of driver impairment, based on a report by a law enforcement officer, a physician, or a family member.

Possible License Restrictions

The DMV can place restrictions or conditions on a person’s driver license after administering a driving test and discussing possible restrictions with him or her.

The most common restriction for older drivers is to require glasses or corrective contact lenses.

In California, other common requirements the DMV may impose on older drivers include:

• no freeway driving
• an additional right side mirror on a vehicle
• no nighttime driving
• time of day restrictions—for example, no driving during rush hour traffic
• supports to ensure a proper driving position
• geographic area restrictions, and
• wearing bioptic telescopic lens when driving.

How to Request an Unsafe Driver Investigation in California

The California DMV will accept information from the driver him or herself, courts, police, other DMVs, family members, and virtually any other source. While anonymous reports of unsafe driving will not be accepted, anyone can ask that his or her name be kept confidential, and the DMV vows to honor that confidentiality “to the fullest extent possible.”

There are two ways to request that the DMV review driving qualifications:

• Write a letter identifying the driver who is causing the concern, giving specific reasons for making the report, and mail it to the local Driver Safety Office.
• Complete a form, Request for Driver Reexamination, and mail it or take it to one of the DMV locations listed on the form.

Mandatory Reporting for Doctors

California is one of only a few states that require doctors who diagnose a patient with a disorder characterized by lapses of consciousness, Alzheimer‘s disease, or any other condition likely to impair driving to report that diagnosis to the local health department, which must forward it to the DMV, which in turn has the discretion to pull the patient’s license or require a driving test.

California Driver Improvement Programs

Drivers can improve their skills by taking an education and training class specifically developed for older drivers. Look for local course offerings called Mature Driver Improvement Programs.

Driver License Age Limit

How to Get a License Reinstated

For information on how to get back a license that has been suspended or revoked in California, contact one of the DMV Driver Safety Offices located throughout the state.

California Ombudsman Program for Senior Drivers

The California DMV has a Senior Ombudsman Program aimed to keep older adults driving as long as they can do so safely.

The ombudsmen, located in several offices throughout the state, can help ensure that senior drivers are treated fairly and respectfully, and consistently with laws and regulations. They can assist in individual cases, and also conduct outreach seminars to groups aimed at promoting driver safety for seniors.

DMV Senior Ombudsmen are available at the following locations:

• Sacramento, Northern California—916-657-6464
• San Francisco, Oakland—510-563-8998
• Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego—714-705-1588
• Los Angeles, Oxnard—310-412-6103

How to Get Parking Placards or License Plates for a Disabled Driver

Disabled person parking placards and license plates can be issued to drivers who have impaired mobility if a licensed physician, surgeon, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or certified nurse midwife certifies the condition.

The placards and plates are also available for those who have:

• severe heart or circulatory disease
• severe lung disease
• a diagnosed disease or disorder that significantly limits the use of lower extremities
• specific visual problems, including low-vision or partial-sightedness, or
• the loss, or loss of the use, of one or both lower extremities or both hands.

To obtain a disabled placard or plate:

• Complete and sign an Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates.
• Have a licensed physician, surgeon, chiropractor, optometrist, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or certified midwife sign the Doctor’s Certification portion of the application—unless the driver has lost a lower extremity or both hands and appears in person at a local DMV office or has been previously assigned license plates for a disabled person.
• Include a fee of $6 for a parking placard for a temporary condition; permanent plates and placards are free.
• Mail the original application to the address on the form.

Learn More About California Driving Rules for Seniors

The DMV website has a wealth of information for California drivers, including links to the controlling laws and driver license handbooks in several different languages. Of special interest is the Senior Guide for Safe Driving, which includes advice on recognizing and assessing vision and cognitive impairment and conditions that may affect driving and the DMV web page dedicated to Senior Drivers.

You can find the nearest DMV office through an online search of Public Offices By Location.

Where to Find a Lawyer for Help

You can use Nolo’s Lawyer Directory to find local lawyers experienced in representing older people who need help with auto accidents or traffic tickets.