Overview
About the Course
FAQs

Get your instruction permit and qualify for a California driver license!

Licensed by the California DMV.
Complete Your Entire Course Online.
No Lesson Timers! Study at Your Own Pace.
Enjoy an Engaging, User-Friendly and FUN Course.
Step-by-Step Instructions Provided to Help You Along the Way!
Get One Step Closer to Your Driver License.

What is the California Driver Education Course?

The California Driver Education Course is a 30-hour course* that is taught in a classroom or taken online. Teens at least 15 1/2 years old must complete the course as part of their requirements to obtain an instruction permit for driving. The course covers the theory of driving on California's roads. The California DMV regulates the program and licenses schools to offer it.

The topics covered in the course are regulated by the DMV. They include:

The Driver's Responsibility
Basic Driving Skills (e.g., Turning, Passing, Signaling)
Driving Conditions
Driving Techniques (e.g., 2-Second Rule, IPDE)
Protecting Yourself While Driving
Adult and Child Safety Equipment
Impaired Driving
Distracted Driving
City, Rural, Suburban, Expressway Driving
Truck, Motorcycle, and Bicycle Awareness
The Psychology and Physiology of Drivers
The Science of Driving (e.g., Kinetic Energy, Friction)

Safe2Drive’s online course satisfies the California DMV’s 30-hour course length requirement. However, the course is self-paced and there are no lesson timers. You can complete the course at the pace that works best for you!

About CA Drivers Ed

Teens must also complete a companion behind-the-wheel (BTW) driver training program that provides real-time practice at driving a vehicle.

Our DMV-licensed California Driver Education course is perfect for teens who want to get their instruction permit and qualify for their driver license. With Safe2Drive, you'll enjoy a convenient and affordable driver's ed program. Instead of going to a classroom for hours on weekends, you can learn how to drive 100% online, and on your own schedule. Study whenever you want to--you have 24/7 access to your course!

This California Driver Education course is comprehensive and contains all of the latest California driving laws. You'll feel completely prepared to get behind the wheel, and you'll have a good time while you're learning--our course is packed with games, videos, animations, and so much more! We even offer online practice permit tests to help ensure that you pass your written permit test at the DMV!

One of the best parts of taking an online California driver education course is the independence it provides. However, you're not on your own. If you ever have questions about your course or how to get your instruction permit and driver license, just give us a call. You can also email us or write to us on Facebook! Our friendly Customer Care team is here to help you out!

Sounds great, right? Sign up for Safe2Drive's California Driver Education course by clicking any of the orange Register buttons on this page. Creating an account only takes a couple minutes, and then you'll be on your way!

A Quick Guide to Getting a Driver License in California

Step 1: Take a CA Driver Education Course

If you are between the ages of 15 1/2 and 17 1/2, you must complete a 30-hour DMV-licensed driver education course* and receive a Certificate of Completion in order to apply for your instruction permit.

*Safe2Drive’s online course satisfies the California DMV’s 30-hour course length requirement. However, the course is self-paced and there are no lesson timers. You can complete the course at the pace that works best for you!

Step 2: Apply for an Instruction Permit

You must take a written exam in order to get your California instruction permit. Luckily, we offer online practice permit tests to help you prepare! Once you are ready to take the exam, schedule an appointment at your local DMV. You can apply for your instruction permit while you are at the DMV. In addition to passing the permit test, you will need to pass a vision exam, have your photo taken, give your thumb print, and pay the application fee. You can find a list of the documents you will need to bring to the DMV on this page.

Step 3: Practice Driving

When you have your permit, you're able to get behind the wheel to practice driving under supervision! However, it's important to note that your instruction permit is not valid until after you have had 1 hour of behind-the-wheel instruction with a licensed instructor. While you have your permit, you are required to have a parent, guardian, spouse, or other adult 25 years of age or older, who holds a valid California driver license, with you in the vehicle at all times when you practice driving. He or she must sit in a position close enough to take control of the vehicle, if necessary.

You must practice driving for at least 6 months before you take the driving test in order to get your driver license before you turn 18. You must also complete the following:

6 hours of driver training with a professional driving school*, and
50 hours (10 at night) of driving practice with a parent, guardian, or other adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify 50 hours of practice driving. See the Parent-Teen Training Guide.

*If you live in West Los Angeles County, Southwest Ventura County, or Riverside County, you can take your 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with our behind-the-wheel partner, Cantors Driving School. Visit Cantors Driving School's website to see service locations, pricing, and to book your driving lessons.

Step 4: Apply for Your California Driver License

After you turn 16, have held your instruction permit for 6 months, and met the other requirements mentioned in this section, you can apply for your driver license. You will need to schedule and pass a driving test at the DMV. You must bring proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be using for the driving test as well as proof of your birth date and legal presence in the United States. Several documents can be used to verify your birth date and legal presence in the United States. The most commonly used is your Birth Certificate. Click here to see a complete list of accepted documents.

Once you pass your driving test, you will receive your California driver license. Congratulations!

What is the Difference Between Driver Education and Driver Training

Driver education is theory and driver training is practice. Theory and practice. Driver education involves learning the techniques of driving safely by participating in learning activities such as simulations, videos, animations, and even game-playing. Driver training is "on-the-job" training where you actually drive a vehicle under the guidance of a driver training instructor. A teen must first complete driver education to obtain a permit to drive. A permit is required to begin driver training.

About the Course

The California Driver Education program is an online course designed to help teens get their instruction permit and qualify for their driver license. It allows you to study independently, when and where it's convenient for you.

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Course Approval

This course is licensed by the California DMV. That means it will qualify you to get your CA instruction permit! When you take our online California Driver Education course, you get one step closer to your driver license.

Course Length

As per California requirements, this California Driver Education course is 30 hours in length. There are no lesson timers, so you can complete the course at your own pace. The entire driver's ed course can be completed online. California teens under the age of 18 must also complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice with a parent/legal guardian/spouse/other adult 25 years or older who has a valid driver license, with 10 hours of training taking place at night. In addition, teens under 17 1/2 must complete 6 hours of driver training with a professional driving school.

Course Features

Our online California Driver's Ed course is full of cool features that make getting a California learner's permit and driver license really simple! You can access your course 24/7 and log in as often as you want to. We always take you right back to where you left off in your online driver education course. You can take your course on any device, and you'll enjoy fun games, videos, animations, and so much more!

Our entertaining multimedia features help you remember what you learn, so that you're prepared for your written permit test. If you need more practice, you can also take one of our online practice permit tests!

If you ever need help with your course, just contact our Customer Care team--we're here to answer all of your questions!

What You'll Learn

You'll learn all of the fundamentals of driving with our California Driver's Education online course. Not only will you learn all of the latest California-specific driving laws, but you will be taught defensive driving techniques like how to yield the right-of-way, what to do if your car starts hydroplaning, and so much more! By the time you finish your course, you'll feel completely prepared to get behind the wheel.

Getting Your Certificate or Receipt of Completion

If you're under age 18, when you successfully complete your California Driver Ed course online, we will mail you a Certificate of Completion (DL 400c). We will mail your certificate via USPS 1st Class Mail at no charge! However, if you would like to receive your Certificate of Completion sooner, we offer FedEx Overnight and 2-Day delivery for an additional fee.

If you're age 18 or older, we will email you a Receipt of Completion when you complete the course. You can keep this receipt for your records.

So what are you waiting for? Get started today and get on your way toward receiving your driver license!

FAQs

General Note

We have made every attempt to answer the most commonly asked questions about our California Driver Education course. Please call or email us if your question is not here.

Questions

What is the California Driver Education Course?

If you are 15½ to 17½ years of age, the California DMV requires you to take a 30-hour driver education program that is licensed by the department in order to apply for a learner permit.

We know that you spend a lot of time in a classroom already and probably have a busy schedule. With Safe2Drive’s online CA Driver Education course, you can study our CA DMV-licensed material in the comfort of your own home, at the pace that works best for you (there are no lesson timers), and receive an official Certificate of Completion.

How does it work?

Follow our easy steps to get your California driver license if you're 15½ to 17½ years old:

Step #1: Take Our DMV-Licensed California Driver Education Course
1. Register. You will create a username and password which will allow you to log in to your account as often as you like.
2. Complete the course!
3. Pass the final exam. We know you will ace the final exam the first time but, you can take the exam as many times as you need to in order to pass, FREE of charge!
4. Once you pass the course, we will send you your Certificate of Completion (Form DL 400C) FREE of charge! This is proof that you have completed the course and will allow you to take your permit test.
Step #2: Study for the California Provisional Permit Test
To earn the California provisional instruction permit and eventually the California driver license, everyone regardless of age must pass a knowledge test on traffic laws and signs. There are 46 questions on the test. A passing score is at least 39 correct answers. You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again.

A proven way to increase your chances of passing your learners permit test is to study, study, and study. Safe2Drive includes practice tests free of charge to help to better prepare you for your exam! We highly encourage you to utilize this extra added feature.
Step #3: Apply for the California Provisional Permit
When you're ready to take your written permit test, save time by scheduling your test appointment at your local DMV location by calling 1-800-777-0133 or going to the CA DMV Website.

To apply for a provisional permit, you will need the following:
1. Be at least 15 ½, but under 18 years of age.
2. Complete the application form DL 44.
  
  Note: Because original signatures are required on the form and because each DL 44 contains a unique barcode which must be scanned or keyed by the DMV employee, the state of California does not provide the DL 44 online. You MUST get this form from the DMV.
  
  To obtain a DL 44 by mail, call DMV's automated phone service at (800) 777-0133 (available 24/7) or visit your local DMV office to pick one up.
3. Have your parents' or guardians' signatures on the application form DL 44.
  
  Note: Both parents must sign unless sole custody.
4. Provide your social security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office.
5. Give proof of your birth date and legal residence (originals or certified copies only). View acceptable documents
6. Submit a Certificate of Completion from a DMV-licensed California Driver Education course if you're under 17½.
7. Give your thumb print.
8. Pay the application fee. (This fee entitles you to three exams of any type within the 12-month period and pays for both your provisional instruction permit and your driver license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.)
9. Pass a vision exam.
10. Pass a traffic laws and sign test. There are 46 questions on the test. You'll have to answer at least 39 questions correctly. You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait seven days before taking the test again.
11. Have your picture taken.
Once you pass the test, you will be issued a provisional instruction permit!
Step #4: Enroll in a Behind-The-Wheel Training Class
1. Complete at least 6 hours of professional driver training.
  
  Note: Your permit is not active until you do your first session of professional driver training.
2. Legally, you must complete this course before moving on and practicing with your parent or legal guardian.
If you live in West Los Angeles County, Southwest Ventura County, or Riverside County, you can take your 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with our behind-the-wheel partner, Cantors Driving School. Visit Cantors Driving School's website to see service locations, pricing, and to book your driving lessons.
Step #5: Practice Driving Under Supervision
Once you have your California provisional instruction permit, you'll need to practice driving under supervision. A parent, guardian, spouse or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver license, must be with you at all times when you drive. It is illegal for you to drive on your own at any time.

To get your license before you turn 18, you'll need to practice driving for at least 6 months before you take the driving test. You must complete 50 hours of practice driving with a parent, guardian, or other adult 25 years or older. Out of these 50 hours ten of them must be done at night. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify 50 hours of practice driving.

Want to make this supervised driving period as stress-free as possible? See the California Parent-Teen Training Guide.
Step #6: Take the Driving Test for Your California Driver License
When you're ready to take your driving test, you must schedule your test appointment at your local DMV location by calling 1-800-777-0133 or going to the CA DMV Website.

Note: Your permit is not active until you do your first session of professional driver training.

Before being eligible to take your California driving test you must:
1. Be at least 16 years old.
2. Have held your permit for a minimum of six months.
3. Have completed a DMV-licensed California driver education course (if you're under 17½ years of age).
4. Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training (if you're under 17½ years of age).
5. Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
6. Show proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be using for your driving test.
After you pass your driving test you will be issued an interim license valid for 90 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail.

Learning to drive safely does not end with your driving test. Your license means you have met the driving test requirements. However, in everyday driving you will have to deal with many situations and problems you did not encounter on your driving test. The best way to deal with unexpected situations is to always use the same, safe driving habits and the responsible attitude you demonstrated on your driving test.

Safe2Drive wishes you the best of luck!

Where can I complete my 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed driving school?

If you live in West Los Angeles County, Southwest Ventura County, or Riverside County, you can take your 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with our behind-the-wheel partner, Cantors Driving School. Visit Cantors Driving School's website to see service locations, pricing, and to book your driving lessons. If you live outside of these areas, you will need to find a school that's local to you. Be sure to check that the school is licensed by visiting the California DMV's website, selecting "Driving School," and either inputting the school's name, city and zip code, or entering their license number and city to ensure their license is current.