Can the non-custodial parent stop our teen from getting a driver's license?

[lunarfaze44]

Hi everyone,

Basic info: 15-1/2 step son lives with us.  Wife has physical custody of him.  His dad has visitation.  They share joint legal and school custody.  Step son wants to get his license when he turns 16.  His dad says he will not let him until he is 18.  We live in California.

Is this possible?  Any thoughts???

[ocean]

Look on the CA DMV website but here in NY, you just need one parent to sign form so if his mother signs paper, he can get his license. What happens when he visits his father is up to dad but he can get his license with mom.

[Waylon]

One of the parents is almost certainly designated as the Primary Residential Parent (PRP), and that parent is often allowed by the court to exercise more discretion and make "command" decisions about the child's life.

If they have absolute 50/50 on everything and there is no designated PRP then the parent with physical custody can probably authorize it without any trouble from the court (unless there is some compelling reason not to).

Does dad have any compelling or substantive reason to prohibit it? If not, then it's probably okay to let him get the license.

Basic info: 15-1/2 step son lives with us.  Wife has physical custody of him.  His dad has visitation.  They share joint legal and school custody.  Step son wants to get his license when he turns 16.  His dad says he will not let him until he is 18.  We live in California.

Is this possible?  Any thoughts???