[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/what-should-an-instruction-permit-driver-do-if-theyre-in-an-accident\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/what-should-an-instruction-permit-driver-do-if-theyre-in-an-accident\/","headline":"What Should an Instruction Permit Driver Do if They\u2019re in an Accident?","name":"What Should an Instruction Permit Driver Do if They\u2019re in an Accident?","description":"Can I Be Held Liable for Damages if I Cause an Accident While Driving With a Permit? Yes. California permit holders can face liability for auto accidents they cause, just like any other driver. Several factors help determine who bears responsibility after a collision, such as: Whether you followed all permit restrictions and had proper […]","datePublished":"2026-02-02","dateModified":"2026-02-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/author\/injury-attorneys\/#Person","name":"Demas Law Group, P.C.","url":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/author\/injury-attorneys\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2d2d1dc668da653fd25c47bc01fca53aff1d3e1f6971487d8eb8e56cf2bae38c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2d2d1dc668da653fd25c47bc01fca53aff1d3e1f6971487d8eb8e56cf2bae38c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Demas Law Group, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/demas-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/demas-logo.png","width":158,"height":141}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Instruction-Permit-Driver.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Instruction-Permit-Driver.jpg","height":600,"width":800},"url":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/what-should-an-instruction-permit-driver-do-if-theyre-in-an-accident\/","about":["Car Accidents"],"wordCount":470,"articleBody":"Can I Be Held Liable for Damages if I Cause an Accident While Driving With a Permit?Yes. California permit holders can face liability for auto accidents they cause, just like any other driver. Several factors help determine who bears responsibility after a collision, such as:Whether you followed all permit restrictions and had proper supervisionWhether you violated any traffic lawsThe actions of other drivers involved in the collisionThe actions of the supervising driverRoad conditions and visibility factorsEvidence from witnesses, police reports, and accident reconstruction expertsWhat Happens if a Learner Driver Gets Into an Accident Without Supervision?Driving without the required supervision violates your permit conditions and can result in serious consequences that can affect your driving future. Potential penalties include:Permit suspension or revocationFines and penalties for violating permit restrictionsLiability for damages and injuries caused by the crashCriminal charges, depending on the driver\u2019s actions (e.g., impairment, reckless driving, etc.)The vehicle owner also faces potential consequences for allowing unsupervised permit driving, including:Liability claims for negligent entrustment of their vehiclePotential insurance claim disputes due to permit violationsHigher insurance premiums following the car accidentPotential lawsuits from injured parties seeking compensationCan I Drive Alone With an Instruction Permit?No. California Vehicle Code \u00a7 12814.6 requires instruction permit holders to be supervised by a licensed driver at all times. For drivers under 18, the supervising driver must be at least 25 years old and seated close enough to take control of the vehicle in an emergency. For drivers 18 and older, the supervising driver must be at least 18 years old, properly licensed, and seated close enough to take control of the vehicle.Can Parents or Guardians Be Sued if Their Teen With a Learner’s Permit Causes an Accident?Yes. When a teen with a learner\u2019s permit causes an accident, claims are typically brought against the auto insurance policy covering the vehicle, which is often held by a parent or legal guardian.Parents could face liability for several reasons:Vicarious liability \u2013 Under California Vehicle Code \u00a7 17707, a parent or guardian who signed a minor\u2019s permit or license application may be legally responsible for the minor\u2019s negligent driving.Negligent entrustment \u2013 Allowing an inexperienced or incompetent teen to drive creates liability when that decision leads to harm.Should I Hire a Lawyer After an Accident With a Learner’s Permit?It\u2019s wise to consult an experienced car accident attorney after an accident involving an instruction permit driver. These crashes raise complex liability issues. A lawyer can determine who is at fault and develop a strategy to seek fair compensation.If you need legal advice after an accident involving a permit driver, contact Demas Law Group for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case and explain your legal rights moving forward. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Should an Instruction Permit Driver Do if They\u2019re in an Accident?","item":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/what-should-an-instruction-permit-driver-do-if-theyre-in-an-accident\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]