Driving without a license in California

[ELW]

I’m 16 living in California and only have a driving permit. I got caught driving without a license (no adult in the car) and driving without the headlights on in Contra Costa County, my court date is set for June. Can I still try to get my license before my court date? I’m expecting once I go to court I wont be allowed to drive until I’m 18, but if I don’t get my license now I will need to apply for a another permit at 18 and then take the driving test, my 18th birthday is in September so I should be leaving for college at that time and not sure how I can make that work. My thought is if I get it now, before it’s suspended in June, when I turn 18 will be ready to “legally” drive. Also, if I get it now, will it still be the same consequences in court, a “suspended license”? Or can I be charged differently? Thanks for any advice. California

 

[Zigner]

I’m 16 living in California and only have a driving permit. I got caught driving without a license (no adult in the car) and driving without the headlights on in Contra Costa County, my court date is set for June. Can I still try to get my license before my court date? I’m expecting once I go to court I wont be allowed to drive until I’m 18, but if I don’t get my license now I will need to apply for a another permit at 18 and then take the driving test, my 18th birthday is in September so I should be leaving for college at that time and not sure how I can make that work. My thought is if I get it now, before it’s suspended in June, when I turn 18 will be ready to “legally” drive. Also, if I get it now, will it still be the same consequences in court, a “suspended license”? Or can I be charged differently? Thanks for any advice. California

You don't need a "permit" to get your license once you hit 18.
Getting your license now won't change the fact that you were unlicensed at the time of the offense. Being a minor is actually going to hurt you more than it helps in this case.