Where and how do I get my permit? | "I've got my permit. Now what?" | AAA Approved Driving Schools
If you are 15 and gearing up to get your instructional permit, here are a few things you should know:
When can I get my permit? You can get your permit at 15 and six months.
If you are under 18 and do not have a license, you will need to hold a permit for at least six months before you can get your license.
Taking the Test
You will need to pass a written test before you can get a permit. To prepare for the test you can download the Arizona Drivers License Manual. (PDF, 2.85MB)
Be sure you check out the sample test questions near the end of the manual.
You can also pick up a booklet at your local MVD.
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"I've got my permit. Now what?"
Until you turn 16 and get your license, you can only drive under the supervision of an adult 21 years or older who holds a valid license.
In order to get your license, you must have completed a driver's education course or have completed 30 hours of supervised driving, at least ten of which must be at night.
These laws are active as of July 1, 2008. For more information, see the GDL page.
Prepare yourself
Before you begin, Dare to Prepare! AAA offers a pre-permit workshop that walks teens and their parents through everything they need to know before it's permit time. Check it out.
What else?
Your permit is valid for one year. You can apply for an extension if you choose not to get your license after one year.
Find a driving school
Though convenience and price are the major factors most parents look for in a driving school, quality is truly the most important characteristic to look for. Your parents spend endless dollars on braces, lessons, sports, and toys. When it comes time to choose a driving school, a decision that could help you avoid a crash, make sure your parents choose carefully.
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AAA Approved Driving Schools
Here are some tips when looking for a driving school:
- Visit their facility.
- Check out their vehicles.
- Review their training materials.
- Ask for references.
- Ensure instructors are certified.
- Is the school a member of the American Driver Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)?
- Look for a combination of classroom hours (minimum of 4) and behind the wheel instruction.
Driving Practice
Is 30 hours enough to learn the piano or to play basketball? Of course not! Yet this is all that is required to become a driver. As with anything, the more practice you get the better you will be. Just because 30 hours is required, doesn't mean that it is enough experience to become a safe driver. Inexperience is one of the primary causes of teen crashes. Teens show the greatest improvement in their first 1000 miles behind the wheel. Using a driving log can help keep an accurate record of how many hours and conditions you have logged behind the wheel.
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