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 El Cajon

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

Jim, my driving instructor, helped me a lot and was very supportive during my driving lesson.
Iryna Z.
My driving instructor was kind and always open to questions, teaching well. I felt confident and enjoyed my driving lesson.
Daniel B.
My driving instructor was very patient and clear! Her directions were reassuring, especially during my driving lesson as a first-time driver.
Shield A.
Paul was a great driving instructor. He taught me how to use different ways of turning very easily during his driving lesson!
Asa 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 El Cajon and surrounding areas

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Driving lessons in El Cajon provide an ideal setting for new drivers to build skills confidently. The city's quiet residential neighborhoods offer a calm space to master fundamental maneuvers like turning, stopping, and parking. This low-traffic environment allows students to focus on the core mechanics of driving without the pressure of heavy congestion, creating a strong foundation.

As skills grow, learners can transition to navigating busier local roads and major freeways like I-8 and CA-67. These lessons cover essential skills such as merging and managing higher speeds. Driving to nearby La Mesa or Santee offers practical experience with varied traffic flows, preparing students for diverse conditions across San Diego County.

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 mission is to empower students with the defensive driving techniques and awareness needed for a lifetime of safe travel. We are dedicated to translating lessons into practical, real-world competence behind the wheel, ensuring you are prepared for any journey.

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Safety Lives in El Cajon

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 El Cajon

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.

Thomas R.

Thomas R.

Thomas credits martial arts and becoming a father for his career path that led to Coastline. He spent eight years teaching and mentoring young people and adults in the dojo. This San Diego native shows his students how self-defense in driving reduces... Read more...

Instructor Trainer
1,000+ Lessons
William H.

William H.

Bill has been working with Coastline for two years and has taught over 500 lesson. Bill has lived in the San Diego area for over 40 years and is most familiar Northern San Diego, including the beach communities. Read more...

Instructor Trainer
1,000+ Lessons
Eric S.

Eric S.

Eric hails from a long line of classically trained musicians, composers, and educators. With many years of driving experience, 25 years in Los Angeles alone, without an at-fault accident, and with his background in education, teaching safe driving sk... Read more...

1,000+ Lessons
Juan F.

Juan F.

Juan is a highly experienced driving instructor with over 18 years of driving experience under his belt. He is widely recognized as one of the best instructors in the business, thanks to his exceptional teaching abilities, extreme patience, and his l... Read more...

Instructor Trainer
800+ Lessons
Darryl B.

Darryl B.

Darryl's approach as a driving instructor really works! He listens to concerns, pays attention to individual needs, and gives memorable tips that last. With him, it's so much more than a driving lesson. It's a life-changing experience in your newly f... Read more...

800+ Lessons
Marco G.

Marco G.

Marco is a humanistic and progressive person, he finished his studies in a university degree in communication sciences, which focuses on the study of the individual through the masses. For him, communication plays a very important role in any area. T... Read more...

200+ Lessons
Speaks Spanish
Alex W.

Alex W.

Alex Willens has been driving for 24 years and has been a Scuba Diving Instructor for 16 years. He loves to teach people of ALL ages, and can enjoy communicating with almost anyone. Read more...

200+ Lessons
Alicia S.

Alicia S.

In addition to being a driving instructor, Alicia has been a team player in all that she does, from being a caregiver for over ten years, to participating and managing small and large counseling groups, giving special care and attention to male and f... Read more...

500+ Lessons
Andrew L.

Andrew L.

Andrew has 25+ years of driving experience, along with many years of in-person training as a manager. He has worked in the print and design industry and shares a professional passion for photography. Read more...

200+ Lessons
Mo L.

Mo L.

Mo has a background in coaching and mentoring. She has worked with people at all stages of life. She focuses on clear communication, and fostering self-confidence. She is excited to work with you and help you get ready for the road! Read more...

200+ Lessons
Richie F.

Richie F.

"Richie Rich,” has a passion for baking, (which takes patience), and enjoys fitness. He is also the publisher of his own book. Read more...

200+ Lessons
Jessi M.

Jessi M.

Jessi isn't just an experienced driver with over 20 years driving on the road; she's a great teacher too. Formerly a nanny and now mom, she brings patience, understanding, and excellent communication skills to every lesson. Students appreciate her cl... Read more...

200+ Lessons
Ian B.

Ian B.

In his time-off Ian loves teaching friends and family to rock climb, surf, and do other "extreme" sports. He understands how to break down something as scary as driving and teach the skills needed to be safe and confident on the road! Read more...

Speaks Spanish
200+ Lessons
Peter H.

Peter H.

Peter has been teaching driving for over two years and has conducted hundreds of lessons. He enjoys teaching because it allows him to teach international students from a wide range of cultures, which makes the experience both engaging and rewarding... Read more...

200+ Lessons
Jannel V.

Jannel V.

Jannel became a driving instructor out of a passion for helping others gain confidence and independence on the road. With a strong automotive background and a commitment to safety, she believes proper driver education is essential for both personal f... Read more...

100+ Lessons
Andrea A.

Andrea A.

Andrea is an experienced educator with a passion for teaching and coaching. Over the past 12 years, she has dedicated herself to shaping young minds both in the classroom and on the basketball court. Her commitment to student success goes beyond acad... Read more...

Dulce F.

Dulce F.

Dulce Flores has years of experience in the medical field and over 22 years of safe driving under her belt. With a passion for teaching safe and assertive driving, she focuses on helping students build confidence behind the wheel while fostering an a... Read more...

Ricardo F.

Ricardo F.

Rico is his nickname, he has a variety of work experiences, above all he's a good driver, he's patient, soft spoken and a good teacher. Read more...

Speaks Spanish
Brian D.

Brian D.

Brian Duncan has spent his life in the realms of education, starting at the Boys & Girls Club, then tutoring, substitute teaching all around San Diego County, and teaching middle school math before a switch to corporate training for fifteen years. An... Read more...

David D.

David D.

David Dullea is a native of San Diego with a passion for teaching safe driving. He is an Education Specialist at O'Farrell Charter School and a driver's education instructor with Coastline Academy. With a BA in Psychology, an MBA, and a master's in E... Read more...

Steve H.

Steve H.

Steve grew up on a wheat farm in northern Montana, where driving trucks and farm machinery from a young age was a necessity, especially in the long, snowy winters that taught him to navigate icy roads with skill. His career in the wireless telecommun... 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