Steps to Getting Your License

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

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.

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.

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.

For more licensing details, visit our help article.

Orange County Driving School

Are you a teen looking to get your first license? Or an adult who has a new commute? Come learn to drive with with Coastline Academy! From Santa Ana to Irvine and everywhere in between, our Orange County-based professional, certified driving instructors are ready to get you behind the wheel on and the road!

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California Teen Drivers Ed
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About Coastline

Coastline is licensed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and partners with the following Southern California and Orange County organizations:

Learn more about our Orange County driver education programs below!

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Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

He was a lovely instructor and made the lesson really enjoyable! Small talk and explanations throughout filled the lesson with positive energy and I had a lovely time having my lesson with him!
Saif, Newport Beach
Incredible time! She was super-attentive and made me feel comfortable as can be. She was able to help guide me without making me feel anxious and boosted my confidence when needed. Would definitely request her again.
Alicia, Santa Ana
I had an amazing lesson! He was very a very thorough teacher who has clearly found the most effective ways for teaching his students and in a fun manner. Now because of his lessons, I feel far more knowledgeable and confident in driving.
Penny, Fullerton
5 stars! She provided me with helpful tips on how to park, reverse, merge, etc. Driving with her assistance was comfortable and beneficial; I will definitely be taking more lessons with her!
Zainab, Placentia
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 Orange County and surrounding areas

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Orange County is a great place to practice driving! Our lessons can take you from Anaheim over to the coast, through Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa all the way down to San Clemente. Wherever you need to go in Orange County, Coastline will guide your driving education from start to finish!

Orange County 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 attending UCI or CSUF!) In some cases, we can even drop you off at an agreed-upon location within certain areas of Orange County once your lesson is over!

Other Locations and Lesson Types

Lessons will begin at a convenient Orange County location. You will be able to see our meeting points once you begin your search for driving lesson availability.

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Safety Lives in Orange County

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

Coastline Corolla
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
Coastline Corolla

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!
Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange 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.

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How Many Hours Of Driver's Ed Is Required In California?

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Driving instructors serving Orange County

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.

Jim H.

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 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 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...

Patrick K.

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...

Ryan H.

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...

Steve S.

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...

Paul C.

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...

Riley S.

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...

Michael F.

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.

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.

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...

Jennifer B.

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...

Milan S.

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...

Christina M.

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...

Wael E.

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...

Michael D.

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 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...

Daniel L.

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...

Alexander T.

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...

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 Programs, please reach out to our Support Team.

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Serving Thousands of Cities in Eight States Across America

How Can We Help?

Our customer service team is available from 7am to 8pm Pacific Time, 7 days a week.
Chat

Text us at (800) 489-1896.

Phone

Call us at (800) 489-1896.