Vehicle accidents are the most significant cause of death for youths in the United States. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 3,000 teenagers are killed in such crashes yearly.
To curtail the rate of accidents, you must go through a driving school and get the proper education.
Our list of the best driving schools in California will make your driving class experience easy and fun. Carefully read through and choose the one that best fits.
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How To Select The Right Driving School In California?
To select the best driving school in California that provides high-quality education and training, you need to employ the following tips:
- It is essential to check the school’s license status on the Occupational License database to ensure the DMV licenses the school.
- Reach out to your local Better Business Bureau (BBB). This website gives you access to information on customer complaints.
- Compare the tuition fee between different driving schools and ensure you understand the cost implication of all expenses.
- Secure copies of all receipts, school documents, and other contracts.
- Ensure the instructors are approved, pass the prerequisite qualifying exams taken every three years or display proof of continuing traffic safety education. You can also confirm the driving school instructor’s license status by calling DMV at (916) 229-3126.
- Check out the driving school’s facilities, like training vehicles, insurance coverage, etc.
- In case of an emergency, request a phone number from the driving school (behind-the-wheel training often occurs when the driver training school is closed).
- Be sure to opt for a driving school in an area you know.
15 Best Driving Schools In California
Here’s a list of the best driving schools in California:
- Distinguished Driving School
- Westwood Driving School
- A One Driving Training Center
- Lincoln Park Driving School
- Express Driving School
- Royal’s Driving School
- Five-Star Driving School
- Allstate Driving School
- Rivadavia Driving School
- Ford Driving Skills for Life
- 1st Choice Driving School School & Traffic School
- Cupertino Driving School
- A-Z Driving School
- CNC Driving School
- Economic Driving School
1. Distinguished Driving School
Distinguished Driving School has been in operation since 2014. DMV requires a history of at least 2,000 hours of driving training, passing a DMV exam, and receiving a driver’s license.
Driving school students learn about traffic regulations and standards that will allow them to pass any DMV driving exam. This comprises downtowns, residential and commercial zones, wide, rapid roadways, and freeways (if DMV requires).
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2. Westwood Driving School
Primo Driving Schools acquired Westwood Driving School in January 2019. They provide the best driving education through their professional instructors.
Westwood Driving School has assisted people in becoming the safest drivers since 1986. After 33 years in business, Ali and Andrea, the founders, chose to retire. They began their search for someone who could carry on their history of offering high-quality services with a smile.
3. A One Driving Training Center
Next on our list of California driving schools is A One Driving Training Center. This group comprises experienced instructors who have mastered the act of safe driving and learnt how to communicate the knowledge to learners.
This California driving school understands the importance of driver safety rules and regulations, and they clearly explain all details to students to ensure they get a full grasp of driving.
4. Lincoln Park Driving School
This driving school in California has assisted learners in obtaining and maintaining their driver’s licenses since 1995. Their hands-on, practical teaching methods are critical to ensure that students pass their driving tests and acquire safe driving habits.
Lincoln Park Driving School provides a relaxed learning environment that maximizes the student experience. The instructors are experienced, friendly, and eager to exceed the student’s expectations. Dual-control vehicles were designed to give students an enjoyable, safe, and productive experience.
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5. Express Driving School
Express Driving School delivers quality defensive driver training programs to students. Their driving instructors provide quality driving lessons and defensive strategies to keep you protected on the road.
They offer behind-the-wheel lessons to exclusive learners. The main focus of this driving program is to help learners master the act of driving and also help them secure driver’s licenses.
This driving program is open to teens and adults from all across California. They also offer online driver education and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Take advantage of this package’s discounted rate.
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6. Royal’s Driving School
With many years in driver training, Royal’s Driving School provides top-notch training to students. This driving school in California offers these lessons to all age groups using clean and working vehicles.
They offer training for novice to experienced drivers and Pass Plus for newly licensed drivers. Their teachers are well-qualified and experienced experts (both male and female) who teach defensive driving tactics, city driving, and road and highway driving. They also have considerable knowledge of driving techniques in both English and Spanish.
They provide everything needed to satisfy parents and teenagers at Royals Driving, including interactive courses performed at your own pace, unlimited DMV practice exams, driving statistics and examples, and much more.
7. Five-Star Driving School
Five Star Driving School is DMV-licensed and bonded throughout Southern California. They are completely insured, and their primary goal is to make you a safe and confident driver.
Those who want to earn their driver’s license swiftly and conveniently can rely on them for complete assistance.
This driving school in California boasts high-quality services championed by knowledgeable instructors.
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8. Allstate Driving School
Allstate Driving School is a CA state-licensed and bonded company that provides online driver education, classroom and behind-the-wheel driver instruction and lessons to youths, adults, and elderly citizens. Whatever your driver education requirements are, Allstate’s San Diego driving school has the proper program for you.”
They provide flexible class schedules to allow students to attend driving school conveniently. Their online driver education will enable trainees to finish their training in the comfort of their own homes. The driver training program is available seven days a week. And for teenagers, their flexible program schedules help parents and students plan classes around their work and school activities.
9. Rivadavia Driving School
Rivadavia Driving School delivers professional driving lessons to learners of all levels looking to learn to drive.
For 25 years, they have specialized in defensive driving, helping hundreds of individuals attain their driving goals and obtain California driver’s licenses.
10. Ford Driving Skills
Ford Driving Skills for Life (Ford DSFL) was founded in 2003 by the Ford Motor Company Fund, the Governors Highway Safety Association, and a panel of safety experts.
This driving school covers the United States and many other countries. The program’s central premise is to give a step in the learning process by teaching new skills and knowledge to drivers.
They offer hands-on and web-based curricula, all for free. The Ford Driving Skills for Life program provides training that tackles the inexperience factor and the concerns associated with distracted driving. So far, the results of this initiative have been spectacular. We encourage both youth and parents to participate in the lesson.
11. 1st Choice Driving School School & Traffic School
This California Driving School provides adults and teens with the best learning experience. Their experienced instructors give students personalized learning, making it easier for them to obtain driver’s licenses.
They also offer online driver’s education that is entertaining, informative, and loaded with colorful graphics, videos, cartoons, and jokes that will have you laughing while you learn.
Because they care about the learners, they make the learning process enjoyable
12. Cupertino Driving School
CDC, established in 1982, is one best California’s driving schools. Through decades of work, the school has become one of northern California’s most prominent driving schools. The institution was reorganized in 2011 and given the name “Cupertino Driving School Inc.”
Since their inception, they’ve assisted over 60,000 people in getting their driver’s licenses and helped over 1900 people renew their suspended ones.
Cupertino Driving School only offers one-on-one driving instruction. Each lesson will provide complete attention to each student. During your education, you focus solely on your driving, and your instructor focuses exclusively on you.
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13. A-Z Driving School
A-Z Driving School teaches students safe driving habits and techniques through education and practice. Their training program guides students to success in their DMV test.
They offer day & night driving lessons to teens and adults, seven days a week, regardless of the weather condition.
14. CNC Driving School
CNC Driving School is a 5-star rated driving school in California. With over 20 years of experience in driver education, they teach learners all they need to know about driving, starting from the basics to the final driving test.
At the end of the training, they provide you with a driver’s education vehicle and an instructor to accompany you to your DMV test.
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15. Economic Driving School
Economic Driving School offers a 6-hour behind-the-wheel course for students under 18 who wish to get their driver’s licenses.
This flexible program gives learners direct access to their instructors and allows them to choose an appointment date that fits their schedule.
AutomaEconomic Driving School provides automatic transmission car education base cost of the six-hour behind-the-wheel training session is $400.00. Due to rising gasoline costs and their commute, instructors could impose an additional fee. Adults (those over 18) pay $80.00 per hour.
How Long Does It Take To Complete A Driving School Course In California?
If you are not up to 18, you will need six hours of professional driver training before you can sit for the DMV test. A single driving lesson lasts for 2 hours.
If you are above 18, you don’t need in-car driving lessons required by California. However, it is recommended. Adults require anywhere from 4-12 hours depending on their special needs.
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What is the cost of Driving schools in California?
Just like most states in the United States with a high cost of living, California is not exempted from the rating of states with a high cost of living standard. This has also affected the cost of attending a driving school in the state of California.
The cost of driving school in California ranges from $40-$60 per hour for Teens and $80 for adults. This cost may vary with cities and, there could be additional increases with increases in fuel and commuting prices.
In California, driving training is typically sold in bundles of two hours. In order to meet the six-hour requirement, three two-hour driving lessons typically cost parents $300 to $600 or more.
The Costs vary from school to school and will change depending on the city. Costs in cities like Fresno and Los Angeles might vary significantly.
Parents and teenagers should research each driving school they are thinking about and be aware of the costs. Also, they ought to inquire about any potential additional charges or penalties.
These driving schools are many, and reputable ones frequently provide more individualized instruction than some high school instructors could.
Also, parents have the option of purchasing extra class hours above and beyond the minimal required. This provides teenagers more driving experience before they get their learner’s permit and start driving. Of course, enrolling in eight or ten hours of driving instruction will simply increase the overall cost.
How Can I Obtain A Driver’s License In California?
If you complete the requirements of your provisional instruction permit, you are automatically qualified for the driving test. However, you must fulfil the following:
- You must be between 16-18 years old.
- You must hold your temporary instruction permit for not less than six months.
- Must have completed your driver’s education.
- You need to achieve at least six hours of professional driver training.
- You must complete 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years of age or older with a valid California driver’s license who can confirm that you completed the 50 hours of practice.
To take your driving test:
- Make a driving test appointment (driving tests are not given without an appointment). You can also book an appointment by calling 1-800-777-0133 during regular business hours.
- You must tender proof of financial strength (insurance) that meets or transcends California insurance requirements.
If you fail to pass the driving test, you have to wait for 14 days before you can resit for the test. To retake the test, you need to pay $7. If you fail the driving test more than two times, you may have to reapply.
When you pass the driving exam, the DMV will issue you a temporary DL until your new DL arrives in the mail. The temporary driver’s license is valid for 60 days. Your DL will be mailed to you in 3-4 weeks. If you haven’t gotten your replacement driver’s license within 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 to inquire about its status.
FAQs On California Driving Schools
Adults in California need to take driving lessons for the following reasons:
1. To earn a first driver’s license as someone who has recently moved to California or has never had a driver’s license before.
2. New to California and want to practice driving in heavier traffic or on California roadways.
3. To pass a DMV driving test on renewing a driver’s license.
4. To brush up on driving skills to be a safer, better driver.
To get a provisional license, you must have had your learner’s permit for at least six months, and you’re required to pass a behind-the-wheel exam.
If you already have a California DL, you can renew it in person at a DMV office, by mail, or online.
If you are under 18, you will need six hours of professional driver training before taking your DMV driving test. Adult drivers need to complete 4-12 hours, depending on their unique needs.
Conclusion
Attending a good driving school in California ensures you get enough practice before obtaining your driver’s license. You can select from our list of 15 best driving schools in California, the one that best suits you.
References
- trustanalytica.com – 33 Best Driving Schools In California
- yelp.com – Best Driving Schools Near Me in San Diego, CA
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