Steps to Getting Your License

Use this guide to make sure you are in the right place in your licensing journey.

Student type

Step 1

Pass Drivers Ed Course

Before you can take your written test at the DMV, you must pass a state-approved Drivers Ed course and receive your completion certificate.

Start Course

Step 2

Practice for Written Test

Once you have your completion certificate, it is time to practice! Take our practice test questions to ace your exam on the first try!

Start Practicing

Step 3

Pass Written Test at DMV

Ready to go? Make a reservation at the DMV and go pass your test! Once you pass, you will receive your permit.

Make Appointment

Step 4

Take Driving Lessons

Passed your test? Great! Now you are ready to take your first driving lessons. Reserve your spot now so you can get going as soon as you have your permit.

Book Lessons

Step 5

Pass your Road Test

After completing your driving lessons, you can take your road test. Make a reservation at the DMV and go pass your test to receive your license.

Make Appointment

Need more licensing details? Visit our help article.

North County San Diego Driving School

Name: Coastline Academy - North County San Diego
Address: 150 S Bent Ave, San Marcos, CA 92078, San Marcos, CA, 92078, US
Telephone: (800) 489-1896

It’s time to learn to drive! Are you a teen looking to get your first license? Or an adult new to California? Whatever your situation, come learn behind the wheel with our North County-based certified driving instructors. From Escondido to Oceanside and everywhere in between, Coastline’s professional staff of driving instructors are ready and eager to teach you!

Get started

See Prices & Packages

Courses offered

California Teen Drivers Ed

Confident Parent Driver Coach Course

About Coastline

Coastline is licensed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and recognized by the following North County organizations:

Learn more about our North County driver education programs below!

Choose Your Learning Package

Licensed instructors

Dual-control vehicles

Flexible scheduling

Most Popular

Our most comprehensive packages for new drivers

Save $26

Get the Online Course Free

Drivers Ed Course + Three 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Everything the DMV requires for you to get your license, in one money-saving package.

Package Price

$579

$605

Total package price

What's Included

California Teen Drivers Ed

Save $29

Recommended for New Drivers

Drivers Ed Course + Five 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Save big with our advanced package, which includes five 2-hour driving lessons plus your online course.

Package Price

$939

$968

Total package price

What's Included

California Teen Drivers Ed

More Options

Additional packages to fit your specific needs

Three 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Pay for all three lessons now to receive a discount and the DMV completion certificate you need to take your road test.

$579

Five 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Pay for all five lessons now to receive a discount and the DMV completion certificate you need to take your road test.

$939

One 2-Hour Driving Lesson - Home Pickup

Pay for this one lesson. You can pay as you go for your next lessons when booking.

$199

Road Test + Three 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Our three-lesson package, plus a pre-test prep lesson and use our car for your road test. Save $35!

$879

Individual Services

Drivers Ed Course Only

Our Drivers Ed course is licensed by the DMV and comes with free mailing for your completion certificate.

$60

Road Test Session - Home Pickup

Use our car for your DMV Road Test. We'll provide a 1-hour test prep/refresher lesson which includes travel to the DMV.

$339

Road Test + One 2-Hour Driving Lesson - Home Pickup

Be sure you're ready for your test with an extra lesson.

$529

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

If there was a higher rating than five I would give it to him. He's incredibly nice and a truly amazing instructor.

Crimson, Escondido

He was really patient and friendly. I was really nervous for the behind the wheel driving, but his friendly nature made it less nerve racking. He teaches everything clearly and also makes great conversation so it would feel less quiet during the lesson. Great first behind the wheel driving lesson.

Francheska, Poway

5 stars! He is patient, knowledgeable, and create a calm learning environment. His clear instructions and helpful tips made me feel confident and safe behind the wheel. A fantastic experience!

Mayeth, Carlsbad

He was really respectful and nice. I learned a lot of things from him and could see the improvement within my driving throughout the lesson. Had an amazing time being taught by him!

Darrell, San Marcos

Click here to read more Coastline reviews.

Over 250,000 Students Have Chosen Coastline Academy

See why 98% of students across the country rate their driving lesson with us 5-stars.

Certified driving instructors

Every Coastline driving instructor is certified and licensed by the California DMV and has completed an intensive, California-centered training course

Cutting-edge technology

Secure payments and digital lesson reports—we leverage the latest tech to provide a convenient experience you will love

Customers first

Our instructors don't run errands or make students pick up and drop off other students—your time behind the wheel is your time

Customized lesson plans

Our driving lessons aren't for everyone, they're for you—our instructors customize every lesson to your precise needs

Driving lessons in North County San Diego and surrounding areas

North County is a great place to practice driving! Coastline serves all of San Diego North County, including San Marcos, Carlsbad, and Poway. From residential streets to the freeway, wherever you need to go, Coastline will guide your driving education from beginning to end!

North County San Diego Driving School Locations

We know you have a busy schedule. This is why Coastline offers a number of convenient options for lesson locations, including home, work, or school pick up. (This may come especially in handy for high school students or older students studying at CSUSM!) In some cases, we can even drop you off at an agreed-upon location within certain areas of North County once your lesson is over!

Other Locations and Lesson Types

Some lessons will begin at a convenient meeting point location in North County San Diego and the surrounding regions. You will be able to see our North County meeting points once you begin your search for driving lesson availability.

Safety Lives in North County San Diego

We go above and beyond expectations to provide a safe learning experience.

Driving instructors you can trust

We're one of the only driving schools to do independent background and drug screens on every employee

Marked cars with a second brake

Every Coastline car has a second instructor brake, is clearly marked as a driving school vehicle and is inspected by a BAR-certified mechanic

Dashcam in every car

We record video and audio inside and outside the car for everyone's safety

Driving Lessons Customized for You

Every lesson is custom-made to help you succeed.

Certified Driving Lessons for Teens

Our behind-the-wheel lessons are great for teens needing the 6 hours of behind-the-wheel lessons required by the State of California for a license. By taking lessons with Coastline, you'll have the skills and confidence to pass your California driving test and get on the road!

Driving Lessons for Adults

In addition to driving lessons for teenagers, Coastline also offers lessons for adults seeking to become safer and more confident drivers in their everyday lives. Whether it's your first time driving or you're looking to practice for an upcoming California driving test, our expert, certified instructors are here for you!

San Diego North County's Top Driving Instructors

Coastline's hiring standards and training program go above and beyond to ensure your and your child's safety when in the car. All Coastline instructors undergo multiple background checks and complete a rigorous training program to help ensure their readiness and knowledge in the lesson. When you choose Coastline Academy, you are choosing North County's top driving educators!

Two-Hour Lessons

A typical Coastline lesson is two hours long, adhering to the California state standard of three, two-hour lessons for all teenaged drivers. Your lesson time starts from when we pick you up and ends when we drop you off.

Will I Pass My Road Test?

Good, prepared, and confident drivers pass their road test. Because of this, we focus on developing and mastering core skills first, including basic driving maneuvers, residential driving, commercial driving, and highway driving! Once you're confident in these skills, we'll help guide you through the road test by explaining the testing process from beginning to end, including administering a mock driving exam during one of your last lessons!

How Many Lessons Do I Need?

Every driver's needs and progress differ, which is why every Coastline lesson is customized for you. Note, all minors in North County and in California are required to take 6 total hours of professional driving instruction. (Need more practice? Not a problem! Contact our Support Team to learn about our five-lesson packages!)

Our Car, Our Insurance

Coastline provides all the tools and materials you need for your lessons, including a vehicle, certified North County instructor, and insurance! All you need to bring is a positive attitude and a willingness to learn!

Post-Lesson Report Included

At the end of each lesson session, your instructor will complete a lesson report which will summarize the skills you have mastered and those that need more practice. You'll also get a personalized message with helpful tips and resources to study and try between your lessons, meaning you can maximize your practice time!

The Coastline Guarantee

A great experience or we'll make it right.

If for any reason you are unsatisfied with your driving lesson, we will make it right. We can redo your lesson either with the same instructor or a different one, at your option. Or, if you prefer, you can get a full refund.

Driving instructors serving North County San Diego

Our friendly, professional instructors bring a wide range of experiences to teaching you to drive. Each instructor is certified by the state and has completed an intensive training course. We're one of the only driving schools to do independent background and drug screens.

Tyler H.

Tyler is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for martial arts and teaching. He holds a degree from Cal State San Marcos and looks forward to driving with you. Read more...

Steve V.

Steve Verret. Teen Safe-driving expert, corporate speaker and comedian. Read more...

Brian D.

Brian Duncan has spent his life in the realms of education, starting at the Boys & Girls Club, then tutoring, substitute teaching all around San Diego County, and teaching middle school math before a switch to corporate training for fifteen years. An... Read more...

Lori H.

Lori has lived in San Diego County since 1968 and has extensive knowledge of the road systems in our area. As a former California Highway Patrol Officer, she gives a unique perspective on driving techniques, rules of the road, and defensive driving s... Read more...

Cole B.

Cole lived and worked in Hollywood for fifteen plus years as a Set Lighting Technician and driving in Los Angeles has inspired him to become a driving instructor due to the chaotic nature of that place. He has driven a variety of trucks, vans and car... Read more...

Lucifer C.

Lucifer Chavez begun his teaching experience within dance, a field he is still involved is as he has translated his teaching skills to driving. He learned to drive within San Diego County and has a plethora of knowledge to get students to their goals... Read more...

Bill H.

Bill has over 8+ years experience as a driving instructor in North San Diego County. He has cultivated a generation of safe, responsible and courteous defensive drivers. Read more...

Janice O.

Janice is a skilled Driving Instructor with 3+ years of experience. Known for her calm, patient, and friendly approach, she creates a supportive learning environment where students can build confidence at their own pace. Janice’s teaching style ens... Read more...

Leanne F.

Patient driving instructor dedicated to helping students become safe, confident, and responsible drivers. Read more...

Jim H.

Jim has been a drive instructor since 2013. He has taught thousands of students how to drive or improve on their driving ability. Engaging, fun and calm under stress, he has very quick reflexes and has your safety in mind. Read more...

Carmela R.

Carmela has been a teacher for over 24 years.She is patient, fun, and cares about her students. Her teaching skills help new drivers feel confident and comfortable. . Read more...

Ian K.

Ian has been all over southern California, and has seen first-hand the importance of safe driving. He has a passion for passing on the wisdom he has accumulated and is determined to create more responsible drivers on the road. Read more...

Thomas R.

Thomas credits martial arts and becoming a father for his career path that led to Coastline. He spent eight years teaching and mentoring young people and adults in the dojo. This San Diego native shows his students how self-defense in driving reduces... Read more...

Courtnee A.

Courtnee is an all-around people person who loves meeting new people. Serving her community is a reason she chose to become an instructor. In her free time, she loves painting and working on her graphic design skills. Read more...

William H.

Bill has been working with Coastline for two years and has taught over 500 lesson. Bill has lived in the San Diego area for over 40 years and is most familiar Northern San Diego, including the beach communities. Read more...

Eric S.

Eric hails from a long line of classically trained musicians, composers, and educators. With many years of driving experience, 25 years in Los Angeles alone, without an at-fault accident, and with his background in education, teaching safe driving sk... Read more...

Juan F.

Juan is a highly experienced driving instructor with over 18 years of driving experience under his belt. He is widely recognized as one of the best instructors in the business, thanks to his exceptional teaching abilities, extreme patience, and his l... Read more...

Marco G.

Marco is a humanistic and progressive person, he finished his studies in a university degree in communication sciences, which focuses on the study of the individual through the masses. For him, communication plays a very important role in any area. T... Read more...

Darryl B.

Darryl's approach as a driving instructor really works! He listens to concerns, pays attention to individual needs, and gives memorable tips that last. With him, it's so much more than a driving lesson. It's a life-changing experience in your newly f... Read more...

Patrick K.

In Patrick's 32 year career with United Parcel Service, he was awarded 23 consecutive years of safe driving. He was an on-route daily delivery driver and a driver trainer. Utilizing his Cultural Anthropology degree and the people skills he aquired ... Read more...

Armand T.

Armand T. grew up in Riverside County and has been driving since he was 16 years old. His first job entailed driving customers home while their vehicles were being repaired at a local car dealership. He is extremely patient, and knowledgeable when it... Read more...

Alex W.

Alex Willens has been driving for 24 years and has been a Scuba Diving Instructor for 16 years. He loves to teach people of ALL ages, and can enjoy communicating with almost anyone. Read more...

Ryan H.

Ryan has been a Music Teacher for almost 30 years. He now sees the car as a musical instrument and would love to guide you to play tastefully and and in tune! Read more...

Steven L.

Steven is Southern California born and drove for a major shipping company for 20+ years. As a long time martial arts instructor and historical reenactor, safety is paramount and has many years of experience with teaching, encouraging and guiding. ... Read more...

Steve S.

Steve has spent a lifetime as a photographic business owner; is college educated and a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran. Semi-retired he is currently a teaching docent with over 4,000 hours at Lyon Air Museum. Teaching and educating are equally important. Read more...

Greg H.

Greg has 12 years of experience and was a former Master Instructor at DriversED.com for ten years, with the past four years being at Cantor's Driving School. He has helped many hundreds of students be the safest drivers they can be and he has a great... Read more...

Alicia S.

In addition to being a driving instructor, Alicia has been a team player in all that she does, from being a caregiver for over ten years, to participating and managing small and large counseling groups, giving special care and attention to male and f... Read more...

DeWitt L.

DeWitt has over 10 years experience of teaching his family members how to drive before he became a professional driving instructor. DeWitt has a passion for teaching, and safe driving. He enjoys passing over 41 years of his good and safe driving expe... Read more...

Paul C.

Paul has over 15 years experience navigating the road between the California coasts to the Snowy weather in Colorado, and in Toronto, Canada. He drives with a family first mindset and enjoys swimming, bike riding with family, and plays the Ukulele. Read more...

Richie F.

"Richie Rich,” has a passion for baking, (which takes patience), and enjoys fitness. He is also the publisher of his own book. Read more...

Mo L.

Mo has a background in coaching and mentoring. She has worked with people at all stages of life. She focuses on clear communication, and fostering self-confidence. She is excited to work with you and help you get ready for the road! Read more...

Riley S.

Riley has a love for teaching and being around people. She has always taken pride in being a safe and well-rounded driver and hopes to help others feel the same way about themselves. She is kind, patient, detail-oriented and compassionate while also ... Read more...

Andrew L.

Hello, I’m Andrew and I am a native San Diegan. With 300+ lessons completed and 26+ years of driving in San Diego County, my wealth of knowledge and experience are a great fit for student drivers. Read more...

Jessi M.

Jessi isn't just an experienced driver with over 20 years driving on the road; she's a great teacher too. Formerly a nanny and now mom, she brings patience, understanding, and excellent communication skills to every lesson. Students appreciate her cl... Read more...

Peter H.

Peter has been teaching driving for nearly four years and has conducted hundreds of lessons. He enjoys teaching because it allows him to teach international students from a wide range of cultures, which makes the experience both engaging and reward... Read more...

Paul I.

Paul comes to Coastline with over 45 years of practical driving experience. He also has practical experience driving semi-trucks of all sizes as well as motorcycles which gives him a unique perspective when it comes to navigating today's roads. With ... Read more...

Chris M.

Chris has been a driving instructor for 3 years. He loves all things outdoors, espeically snowboarding and is currently pursuing his BA degree in psychology. He feels that there wouldn't be so many bad drivers on our roads today if they were just tra... Read more...

Michael F.

Michael F has 14 years as a truck driver. Has driven across the continental U.S through various weather conditions. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to teach new truckers and guide them through the industry. He has also taught in a p... Read more...

Qinmei Y.

Driving should be a comfortable activity, with habitual acts of precautions and Qinmei (May) would love to help you learn how to do so! Read more...

Adnan K.

On a traffic light green means go and yellow means yield, but on a banana it’s the exact opposite. Green means hold on, yellow means go ahead, and red means where did you get that banana at? Read more...

Ian B.

In his time-off Ian loves teaching friends and family to rock climb, surf, and do other "extreme" sports. He understands how to break down something as scary as driving and teach the skills needed to be safe and confident on the road! Read more...

Jennifer B.

In addition to working for the United States Postal Service, she takes pride in having a patient, fun loving attitude with her students and sharing her 42 yrs of driving experience. She treats each student with the dignity and respect they deserve. Read more...

Jimmy D.

Jimmy Diaz is a young and enthusiastic educator with the drive to teach students the skills and knowledge needed to be a safe motor vehicle operator for now and for life. He earned his license at 16, learning and adapting to many situations. He drove... Read more...

Charles M.

With 15 years of driving experience, Charles loves to drive on long road trips and participates in track days in California's race tracks. He is an passionate car enthusiast and looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with you. Read more...

Lorena N.

Hello out there! Can you already feel the wind blowing through your hair as you drive down the road? Kind of? Not really, yet? Here to help you become a safe, defensive driver out there in the world. This time is important for you as it is not only e... Read more...

Jacob W.

Jacob Wheeler has extensive driving experience, from daily freeway commutes to cross-country trips and navigating extreme weather conditions. With a background in mentoring high school-aged individuals as both a manager and youth leader, Jacob is pas... Read more...

Jannel V.

Jannel became a driving instructor out of a passion for helping others gain confidence and independence on the road. With a strong automotive background and a commitment to safety, she believes proper driver education is essential for both personal f... Read more...

Dulce F.

Dulce Flores has years of experience in the medical field and over 22 years of safe driving under her belt. With a passion for teaching safe and assertive driving, she focuses on helping students build confidence behind the wheel while fostering an a... Read more...

Luis M.

Luis Magana is a passionate driver who enjoys every moment on the road, always balancing fun with safety for himself and others. Whether navigating quiet rural roads or busy city streets, Luis has experience driving them all. With a love for road tri... Read more...

Milan S.

Milan Shah has covered a lot of miles under different driving conditions while driving an Uber. He has improved his defensive and predictive driving skills as a result and is happy to pass it on to the new drivers to make driving safer for all on the... Read more...

Anthony B.

Anthony has 15 years driving experience and has driven in all series of weather conditions and major traffic areas. He has experience teaching and developing people in all ages. Read more...

Alexander R.

Alex has had a California driver license for over twenty years and because of his travels, has had driver licenses from the UK, Netherlands and South Africa. Being multilingual, Alex loves to learn and understand different customs and ethnic ways. ... Read more...

Paul F.

Paul is a very caring and respectful person. He has experience driving school and coach busses. Safety is extremely important to him. Read more...

Christina M.

Christina Morales-Grace is a seasoned driver with years of experience navigating California’s roads—from Southern California freeways to Northern California cities. With a calm, supportive approach and a background in both professional driving and in... Read more...

David D.

A dedicated instructor and San Diego native, David Dullea combines nearly 30 years of diverse driving experience with over a decade in education. As an Education Specialist at O'Farrell Charter School, David is uniquely skilled at connecting with stu... Read more...

Ricardo F.

Rico is his nickname, he has a variety of work experiences, above all he's a good driver, he's patient, soft spoken and a good teacher. Read more...

Steve H.

Steve grew up on a wheat farm in northern Montana, where driving trucks and farm machinery from a young age was a necessity, especially in the long, snowy winters that taught him to navigate icy roads with skill. His career in the wireless telecommun... Read more...

Merry M.

Merry Mariano is a professor at several Community Colleges in southern California. Because of her need to commute, she knows the importance of safe driving. She wants to teach her students the important road skills that will help them arrive safely t... Read more...

Tharendra S.

Tharendra Shrestha is an experienced driver and instructor based in Ontario, CA, who is passionate about sharing his extensive knowledge of safe driving practices. With a background in rideshare and delivery services such as Uber, DoorDash, and Amazo... Read more...

Mary I.

Mary has over 35+ years experience in many areas of the transportation and driving industry. Her love for family and teaching inspired her to become a driving instructor with Coastline. Her goal during each lesson is to create a relaxed learning envi... Read more...

Wael E.

Wael is a dedicated driving instructor with a background in aerospace engineering and a passion for road safety. Having driven across multiple countries since 2008, he brings a clear, calm approach to teaching. Fluent in English and Arabic, and a fat... Read more...

Elena S.

Elena, a mother of 3, is equipped with mom coolness. The proof is when her son calls her a soccer mom. She has a passion for the road. With over 20 years of driving experience, she knows what challenges people encounter while on the road. She believe... Read more...

Michell C.

Michell is a San Diego native with 30 years of driving experience in the San Diego region, she has 7 years of experience as a manager for Harley Davidson teaching new riders about safety gear for riding safely on San Diego roads, she loves teaching p... Read more...

Versean P.

Versean has over 35 years of driving experience and more than 24 years of public service with the State of California, where she serves as a Tax Administrator for one of the state’s taxing authority agencies. She is known for her calm, patient teachi... Read more...

Maranda J.

Maranda is currently pursuing a degree in Social Work. She was born and raised in SoCal and has driven cross country for pleasure! She has over 25 years of driving experience and believes that with a little patience everyone can become a confident dr... Read more...

Matt W.

Matt credits his love of safe driving to his 30+ year career in “in the field” sales where he’s logged over a half of million miles driven in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County and the inland Empire without an accident. He’s excited to pay it forw... Read more...

Michael D.

Michael is an experienced driving instructor with 40 plus years of driving experience and 8 years of experience teaching both high school students and adult drivers. He focuses on building safe, confident, and responsible drivers through patient, cle... Read more...

Scott H.

Scott has been driving the busy roads and freeways of So CA for over thirty years, and has been a driving instructor for over nine years. He takes a calm approach, setting nervous students at ease. Read more...

Josh S.

With over 20 years of driving experience and an M1 motorcycle license, Josh brings a fun, relatable approach to teaching while prioritizing road safety and student comfort. As a parent and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu enthusiast, he values patience, focus, an... Read more...

Jean T.

Hi I'm Jean I am a San Diego native with over 45 years of driving experience behind the wheel abroad and in many cities and states in the US. Teaching is second nature for her with over 30 years in HR, PR Information Software Management roles. She is... Read more...

Patricia O.

Patty is excited to help train new drivers. She enjoys arts, crafts, movies and traveling. Read more...

Stephen C.

My name is Stephen Cannon. I have been driving since I was 16. I learned how to drive from my father who was a trash truck driver. I work in the Transportation Industry and deal with 18-wheeler trucks daily. I worked at the Boys and Girls Club in the... Read more...

Mitch M.

Mitch is a born and raised San Diegan and has over 14 years of driving experience. An aspiring law student, Mitch has a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of San Diego, where he was also captain for USD’s Division 1 cross country team... Read more...

Daniel L.

He has over 30 years of driving experience and a lifelong passion for cars, especially those with manual transmissions. He learned to drive stick during the winter of his sophomore year in college in a Mitsubishi 3000GT and has since owned nine cars—... Read more...

Eric M.

Born and raised in San Diego, Eric grew up driving on the same streets he be instructing on. He is very comfortable driving on the fast and complicated roads of California with unique merging opportunities. Driving and teaching, Eric is constantly tr... Read more...

Erick C.

I’m a motivated and hardworking individual with strong communication and problem-solving skills. I take pride in being reliable, respectful, and always willing to learn. I’m currently focused on growing professionally and pursuing a career where I ca... Read more...

Alexander T.

A graduate of Boise State University, Alex brings over 35 years of driving experience and a strong commitment to safety on the road. As a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Sergeant, he spent approximately 20 years training new deputies as both a fie... Read more...

Crystol G.

This calm, friendly professional is from San Francisco and brings extensive experience in the automotive field. After managing an autobody shop, they transitioned to becoming a driving instructor, driven by a genuine passion for helping others and de... Read more...

Steve C.

Steve has over 40 years of driving experience. His experience ranges from racing dirt bikes, driving off-road vehicles, and driving heavy machinery like forklifts and delivery trucks. Read more...

Victor D.

Victor is jack of all trade. He worked driving years ago in AZ for rental car agencies. Although not perfect as a young person, mistakes were made due to poor choices. Learning from those mistakes is what helped shape him into a good instructor and l... Read more...

Coastline in the Community

Coastline is proud to work with over 100 local, state, and national organizations to provide access to high-quality driver's education for teens and adults all across California. Here are just a few of the organizations we partner with to further our mission of eradicating car crashes nationwide:

For more information about our Community Partnerships Program, please reach out to our Support Team.