Can you take the permit test online in California?
Yes. California runs an at-home knowledge test, though it is monitored and fenced. The California Department of Motor Vehicles introduced at-home knowledge testing in 2022 for applicants over 18 and expanded it in September 2023 to Californians under 18 who need a driver's license and to people moving to California from out of state. The requirements are specific: an internet-enabled computer or laptop with a webcam, not a tablet and not a phone; a window of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday excluding state holidays; identity verification and agreement to be monitored throughout; and parent or guardian consent for applicants under 18. It is offered in 35 languages. The test can be attempted online twice, and anyone who fails both attempts is directed to a DMV office for the third. Do not confuse it with eLearning, which is a no-fail self-paced course open only to eligible noncommercial Class C renewal applicants and is not a test at all. Checked in September 2026.
Source: California DMV, online learning and tests; DMV news release on online testing, checked September 9, 2026.
Other questions about California
- How many questions can you miss on the California permit test?
- What happens if you fail the permit test in California?
- What to bring for the California permit test if you are under 18
- What to bring for the California permit test if you are 18 or over
- California supervised driving hours, and whether the log is turned in
Ready to practice for the California test?
How this works in other states
The answer splits by state and then by age. What Florida, Texas and California each actually publish. Read the guide.
Written by Vikas. Checked against the source above on September 9, 2026. California DMV does not run this site and does not endorse it.