Getting your first license
Driver education introduces traffic laws, road safety, and driver responsibilities. California permits qualifying classroom and home-study or online instruction. Check the requirements for your age and license stage with the DMV before choosing a course.
Start with our California driver education guide for course information, or browse California FAQs. The DMV’s driver education and training guidance explains the different parts of learning to drive.
Finding behind-the-wheel lessons
Practical driver training takes place in a vehicle with a professional instructor. When comparing schools, ask about licensing, scheduling, fees, cancellation policies, and the training vehicles.
Explore the California driving-school directory, then use the DMV’s school-selection guidance and license lookup to check a provider. A directory listing alone does not establish current approval.
Have a traffic-school or ticket question?
Traffic school serves a different purpose from first-license education. Your court notice and the court handling your ticket are the starting points for eligibility, deadlines, and completion instructions.
Review the California Courts traffic-school guide and use the DMV’s traffic-school list to look for a licensed provider. Confirm the course you need before paying; a teen driver education enrollment should not be treated as ticket resolution or a promise to remove points.
Keep building your driving knowledge
Use practice tests to review road rules, read the driver education guides, and revisit the official DMV resources when preparing for your next licensing step.
Official resources reviewed September 14, 2026. Follow the current instructions from the DMV and your court for your situation.