Provisional licenses are issued to people under 18 years old who are learning to drive. These licenses have additional restrictions placed on them that adults do not have. The restrictions that apply to provisional licenses in California include:

• Passenger Restrictions: For the first 12 months after obtaining a provisional license, a teenager is not allowed to have passengers under the age of 20 in the car unless they are accompanied by a licensed driver 25 years or older. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as for medical necessity, employment necessity, and school-authorized activities.

• Curfew: Teen drivers with a provisional license are not allowed to drive between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am for the first 12 months after obtaining their license.

• Cell Phone Use: Teen drivers are not allowed to use a cell phone while driving, even with a hands-free device. The only exception is in the case of an emergency.

• Employment: With a provisional license, you are not allowed to be employed in a job that requires you to drive a vehicle.

These restrictions are put in place to reduce car accidents among teenagers, who are statistically high-risk drivers. Once a driver turns 18 years old, they are no longer subject to the restrictions imposed on their provisional license. Violating these restrictions can result in consequences such as suspension of the license or significant fines.