do I need a permit to get a license in california if im 18?

Everyone over 18 gets a permit to driver after you take and pass the written test. You don't have to do all those requirement for when you are under 18. To get your permit you only have to pass the written test. After you pass the written test, you make an appointment to go back to take the driving test. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/broc...

Yes, to get a license you must pass a driving exam. To drive you need a permit.

Yes. Everybody must first get a "permit" regardless of age.

Adults’ Permit Requirements

If you are at least 18 years old, meet the application requirements, and pass the required tests, you may be issued a California instruction permit.

You must have an instruction permit while learning to drive. Your accompanying driver must be 18 years old or older and have a valid California DL. This person must be seated close enough to you that they are able to take control of the vehicle at any time. An instruction permit does not permit you to drive alone–not even to a DMV field office to take the driving test.

Adults’ Driver License Requirements

If you are at least 18 years old and have never been licensed, you must meet the following criteria:

Comply with the requirements for a driving permit.

When you are ready, make an appointment to take the behind-the-wheel driving test.

When you report for the driving test, bring your instruction permit with you.

Pass the behind-the-wheel driving test. If you fail the test, you must pay a retest fee for a second or subsequent test and schedule a behind-the-wheel driving test for another day.

No, the website is not unclear. It's just not telling you what you want to hear, that's all.

Here's something everyone knows, in California or anywhere else: If you commit any driving offence (traffic violation) during the test, you fail right away. Driving without a licence or permit is against the law. Even if you have a valid licence or permit, driving without having the document with you is against the law. That means the test would be over the minute your vehicle touched a public roadway.

yes

Possibly so

A permit is for you to learn to drive.

The permit is given after you pass the knowledge test.

After you practise for a few minutes, hours, days, weeks or months and feel you have the on the road skills you can try for your drives license.

The road test will not be given to you if you cannot prove you know the rules. MOST use the learners permit for this purpose.

If you really cannot understand the website from California government website from the department responsible for issuing licenses you are probably not quite ready to pass the road test.

The same rule applies if you are 18, 21 or 31 or any other age.

The website is not unclear at all. In order to get a license at any age you must take and pass the written knowledge test. You get a "permit" when you pass this test which allows you to practice driving on public roads. You don't have to have the permit for any particular length of time nor do you need to practice, but you do need one for the road test.

A permit is for you to learn to drive. You don’t need a permit if you don’t plan to learn to drive. You can skip the permit and get the license if you can pass the written and driving test.