STEP 1. Enroll in our engaging, informative and DMV Approved Online Driver Ed Course or our 4-day Classroom Drivers Ed Course (Required for all students who will take the DMV Drive Test prior to their 18th birthday).
Students may start the driver education course at any age but must be at least 15½ before taking the written permit test at the DMV.
After completing the Final Exam at the end of the course, a certificate of completion will be mailed to you. The completion certificate must be present with you when you take the DMV written learner’s permit test, so it is best to wait until you receive the certificate before scheduling your written test appointment at the DMV.
STEP 2. Obtain Your Permit From the DMV
- Make an appointment before visiting the DMV office at www.dmv.ca.gov. Walk-in appointments are only accepted at the Driver License Processing Center at 2222 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112
- Complete a Drivers License or Identification Card Application form (DL44) on the DMV website. www.dmv.ca.gov.
- Go to the DMV with the following:
- Pay the application fee of $33.00
- Driver’s Education Completion Certificate
- Original birth certificate (this has purple ink or the state seal embossed on it – NO COPIES
- Social Security number (though if you have your card, it is our experience that it is best to have it with you)
- Take and pass the written permit test
** Note: As of July 1, 2016, 2 forms of proof of residency are required. Please see the DMV website for the complete list of acceptable forms of ID. The DMV will be taking your picture on this day, so be prepared for that.
If the DMV employee has any problem with your paperwork, before you leave the DMV, call us! We are open whenever they are, and can be reached at 888-895-0644.
The permit test is tough, but if you can pass the online driver-ed course final exam, it will be easy for you. Do not take the test lightly! There are 46 questions on the DMV test, and you must wait a week to try again if you miss more than eight. Read every question completely. You have one minute for each question. Put a “best guess” before the time is up or it is marked wrong.
If you do not pass the first time, feel free to brush up with our free practice tests at no charge to you.
