I created this guide for parents in California with new teen drivers.

How to get your teens started...

1) Teens 15 -1/2 years old can start behind the wheel lessons given they have a permit. This permit is called "Learner's Permit" or "Instruction's Permit."

2) To receive a learners/instruction permit a teenager needs to 

a) Complete driver's education (and show DMV a certificate of completion)

b) Pass the DMV's written test

Unfortunately most schools don't offer in-class driver's education anymore and it's mostly completed online. To sign up your teen for our online 30 hour course please click here: The Hills 30 Hour Online Course. We do however offer 1 on 1 in person lessons for teens who prefer to have someone explain rules and regulations to them in a detailed matter.

Questions parents ask us the most...

1) My child received his/her permit, does she need to take another written test for her license? 

No, there is only 1 written test. Once your child passes that test, there are no further written tests.

2) How many hours of behind the wheel lessons are required by an instructor in California?

6 hours of behind the wheel training is required in California to receive the Certificate of Completion. To book and take the road test, you will need to present this certificate to DMV

3) I do not have a lot of time to drive with my teenager. If we book more lessons would it be okay?

We don't recommend that. Teenagers need a combination of both, to drive with their parents and instructors. However we had cases that parents simply couldn't or were too nervous to drive with their kids. In those instances, we recommend 20 hours of instruction. But please remember DMV wants 50 hours of practice with a parent or guardian. Obviously DMV can't ask for proof and it's an honor system. The more your teenager gets practice the safer she will be, less chances of her getting into an accident, and less chances of her insurance payment go sky high.

4) How long is the driving test/Road test at the DMV?

5-15 minutes. I myself took my driving test in West Germany in 1991 and it was 5-6 hours long. I believe passing the road test here in California is absolutly no indication of being a safe/defensive driver. This is reflected in statistics. My mission is to have a much higher standard. Most of our students pass the road test on their first try. Being a safe new driver is directly correlated to how many hours of practice they've had with their parents and instructors. There are hundreds if not thousands of variations of things that can happen in traffic; the more a student is exposed to those situations during training, the safer they will be when those circumstances show up when they drive alone. They would know exactly how to react in the safest manner.