Steps to Getting Your License

Use this guide to make sure you are in the right place in your licensing journey.
1

Pass Drivers Ed Course

Before you can take your written test at the DMV, you must pass a state-approved Drivers Ed course and receive your completion certificate.

Start Course
2

Practice for Written Test

Once you have your completion certificate, it is time to practice! Take our practice test questions to ace your exam on the first try!

3

Pass Written Test at DMV

Ready to go? Make a reservation at the DMV and go pass your test! Once you pass, you will receive your permit.

4

Take Driving Lessons

Passed your test? Great! Now you are ready to take your first driving lessons. Reserve your spot now so you can get going as soon as you have your permit.

5

Pass your Road Test

After completing your driving lessons, you can take your road test. Make a reservation at the DMV and go pass your test to receive your license.

For more licensing details, visit our help article.

Driving Lessons in Alameda

Whether it's your first time behind the wheel or you need a brush up before your test, we offer driving education that will make you a safer, more confident driver for life.

Get started:

Driving Lessons
driving student

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

My driving instructor is a very good teacher and easy to talk with. I highly recommend!
Wesley M.
Awesome driving instruction! Ken is a calm and confident driving instructor, a real booster during my driving lesson.
Abhijeet G.
Luke is a very patient and detailed driving instructor! He combines book knowledge with the road, giving me a wholesome understanding during my driving lesson.
Ishmawiyl W.
Shane A is a very good driving instructor! It was very fun to talk to him, and I would give him 5 stars.
Oliver Z.
Click here to read more Coastline reviews.

Over 250,000 Students Have Chosen Coastline Academy

See why 98% of students across the country rate their driving lesson with us 5-stars.

Every Coastline driving instructor is certified and licensed by the California DMV and has completed an intensive, California-centered training course

Secure payments and digital lesson reports—we leverage the latest tech to provide a convenient experience you will love

Our instructors don't run errands or make students pick up and drop off other students—your time behind the wheel is your time

Our driving lessons aren't for everyone, they're for you—our instructors customize every lesson to your precise needs

Driving lessons in Alameda and surrounding areas

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Driving lessons in Alameda offer a uniquely calm start for new drivers. The city's island setting features many quiet, tree-lined residential streets with lower speed limits, creating a low-pressure environment perfect for mastering fundamental skills like turning, stopping, and parking before venturing onto busier roads.

Once comfortable with the basics, lessons expand to include navigating the bridges and tunnels that connect to the mainland, providing essential practice for managing traffic flow. Driving towards nearby Oakland and San Leandro exposes students to the varied urban conditions found throughout Alameda County, building a comprehensive skill set.

We offer flexible pickup and drop-off at home, school, or work when available. To accommodate various schedules, some lessons may begin at convenient meeting points in the area, which will be shown once you start searching availability.

Our instructors are dedicated to building a strong foundation of defensive driving habits. The goal is to empower each student with the practical skills and confidence necessary for a lifetime of safe, independent driving on any road.

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Safety Lives in Alameda

We go above and beyond expectations to provide a safe learning experience.

Coastline Corolla

Instructors you can trust

We're one of the only driving schools to do independent background and drug screens on every employee

Marked cars with a second brake

Every Coastline car has a second instructor brake, is clearly marked as a driving school vehicle and is inspected by a BAR-certified mechanic

Dashcam in every car

We record video and audio inside and outside the car for everyone's safety
Coastline Corolla

Driving Lessons Customized for You

Every lesson is custom-made to help you succeed.

Our school is certified by the DMV, and our lessons are perfect for teens needing the required training with an instructor so you can qualify to take your test, and have the skills and confidence you need to pass it.

We teach adult drivers how to become safer and more confident every day. Whether it's your first time driving or you need to practice for a Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation, our expert instructors are here for you.

Our hiring standards and training program go beyond the industry standard. When you choose Coastline Academy, you are choosing the state's top driving educators.

Good drivers pass the test. So we focus on core skills first, ensuring you are set up to be safe and confident for life, before worrying about the test. On your last lesson, we will do a mock test to be sure you are ready!

Every driver is different, which is why every Coastline lesson is customized for you.

We provide all the tools and materials needed for your lesson, so all you need to bring is a positive attitude toward learning a new skill.

At the end of your lesson, your instructor fills out a post-lesson report that shows the skills you have mastered, and those that need more practice, so you can maximize your practice time between lessons.

The Coastline Guarantee

A great experience or we'll make it right.

If for any reason you are unsatisfied with your driving lesson, we will make it right. We can redo your lesson either with the same instructor or a different one, at your option. Or, if you prefer, you can get a full refund.

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How to Get a California Driver's License as an Adult

Published in Unclassified

Driving instructors serving Alameda

Our friendly, professional instructors bring a wide range of experiences to teaching you to drive. Each instructor is certified by the state and has completed an intensive training course. We're one of the only driving schools to do independent background and drug screens.

Hal I.

Hal I.

Hal is ready to share his many years of experience as a safe, defensive school bus driver with his Coastline Academy students. Hal has been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Read more...

Instructor Trainer
Instructor Trainer
2,000+ Lessons
Olga H.

Olga H.

If you are excited and a bit nervous to learn something new like driving, meet Olga. She brings a passion and enjoyment for teaching to Coastline. She started as an academic tutor in school, helping her peers with Spanish, history and music. She can ... Read more...

Speaks Spanish
1,000+ Lessons
Janette K.

Janette K.

Janette has been teaching driving in the Bay Area for 4 1/2 years because it fulfills two of her passions: creating safer streets and meeting all types of people. Teaching and learning to drive takes willingness and trust on the part of both student... Read more...

1,000+ Lessons
Instructor Trainer
Yury K.

Yury K.

Yury has a passion for digital art, music, and especially safe driving. He's ready to share his 10+ years of experience, adapting to your learning styles and needs. Read more...

500+ Lessons
Instructor Trainer
Mike R.

Mike R.

Meet Mike, your dedicated driving instructor, born and raised amidst the stunning landscapes of the San Francisco Bay Area. With over a decade of experience teaching college courses at the university level and two decades spent honing expertise as a ... Read more...

Instructor Trainer
800+ Lessons
Aladrian H.

Aladrian H.

Aladrian has been driving for over 30 years. She was a trainer at an airline for many years and an after school literacy instructor. Read more...

200+ Lessons
Deshea H.

Deshea H.

Deshea has been driving for over 10 years. He’s had multiple driving jobs as well. Being both cautious and patient, Deshea has been a safe driver and managed to avoid most crashes and fender benders. He pursuing a career in psychology to be a become ... Read more...

200+ Lessons
Robin D.

Robin D.

Driving has always been a passion of mine.I acquired many driving jobs like ecart , instacart caviar and also driving for a medical currier that had me driving all over the area picking up samples and taking them to the labs. It’s all about being out... Read more...

Gonzalo B.

Gonzalo B.

In addition to being a driving instructor, Gonzalo is a tennis assistant coach and former ski instructor. He likes to share his knowledge and expertise in fields he is passionate about. Read more...

Herman C.

Herman C.

Herman has many years of safe driving in the bay area both on a personal level and professionally due to the requirements of his employment. Through these years he has seen some of the many hazards and is willing to put this knowledge to use to bette... Read more...

Joseph C.

Joseph C.

Joseph recalls what it was like to get his drivers license when he was sixteen. He felt excited to join the world in a bigger way! Joseph is originally from the ultimate car culture, Los Angeles. One of Joseph’s first jobs was in the film industry,... Read more...

Yusuf A.

Yusuf A.

Yusuf has a wealth of knowledge accumulated over years of driving across the nation. He brings a unique perspective to driver education. Emphasizing not just on technical skills, but also a deep understanding of the road, safety and responsibility on... Read more...

Daniel G.

Daniel G.

Daniel currently works in banking full time and serves in the California Army National Guard part time as an Army Officer. He has also volunteered in law enforcement. Previously, he worked for ten years in public schools with students from grades kin... Read more...

Speaks Spanish
Clennel P.

Clennel P.

Clennel Perry prides himself on being a defensive driver. Over the years the roads, they have become very congested, and it is imperative to have those skills as well, along with offensive skills. Read more...

Danny W.

Danny W.

Danny was raised in a multi-lingual family, and is native-fluent in English and Cantonese. Danny also is fairly fluent in Mandarin as well. Danny's varied background helps him succeed with different people and with the many situations that life throw... Read more...

Leonard T.

Leonard T.

Leonard has been driving cars for over thirty years with experiences in the US Army, US Air Force and in the police department. In the US military, Leonard has driven Humvees in convoys in Iraq and in rural and urban areas. Leonard has the knowledge ... Read more...

Brian S.

Brian S.

Brian has had many years of teaching experience and is an East Bay Area native. Brian has taught family and friends throughout the East Bay Area roads and highways. Brian graduated from Saint Mary's College High School and Saint Mary’s College Brian ... Read more...

Donald W.

Donald W.

Donald Wu is a professional illustrator with nearly two decades of experience in children’s publishing. Throughout his career, he has mentored emerging artists, sharing his expertise and fostering new talent in the industry. Outside of illustration, ... Read more...

Barron J.

Barron J.

Barron is passionate about helping people safely commute and explore. In previous jobs as a school bus driver and cycling group leader, he patiently guided kids & families through stressful city streets. As your observant, kind and considerate drivin... Read more...

Joel B.

Joel B.

Joel Bernal is a seasoned professional driver with over a decade of experience navigating the roads of the Bay Area, including the complex streets of San Francisco, Sacramento, and surrounding cities. He has driven a wide range of routes across the r... Read more...

Coastline in the Community

Coastline is proud to work with over 100 local, state, and national organizations to provide access to high-quality driver's education for teens and adults all across Washington. Here are just a few of the organizations we partner with to further our mission of eradicating car crashes nationwide:

For more information about our Community Partnerships Programs, please reach out to our Support Team.

How Can We Help?

Our customer service team is available from 7am to 8pm Pacific Time, 7 days a week.

Chat

Text us at (800) 489-1896.

Phone

Call us at (800) 489-1896