Steps to Getting Your License

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

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

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!

Start Practicing

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.

Make Appointment

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.

Book Lessons

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.

Make Appointment

For more licensing details, visit our help article.

Monterey Bay Driving School

Name: Coastline Academy - Monterey Bay
Address: 435 W Beach St, Watsonville, CA 95076, Watsonville, CA, 95076, US
Telephone: (800) 489-1896

Looking to take your road test and get your driver's license? Whether you’re 16 or 60, Coastline is here to help you become a safe and confident driver for life. From Santa Cruz to Big Sur, Coastline’s Monterey Bay professional, certified driving instructors are ready and eager to teach you!

Get started

See Prices & Packages

Courses offered

California Teen Drivers Ed

Confident Parent Driver Coach Course

About Coastline

Coastline is licensed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and recognized by the following California and Monterey Bay-area organizations:

Learn more about our Monterey Bay driver education programs below!

Choose Your Learning Package

Licensed instructors

Dual-control vehicles

Flexible scheduling

Most Popular

Our most comprehensive packages for new drivers

Save $87

Get the Online Course Free

Drivers Ed Course + Three 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Everything the DMV requires for you to get your license, in one money-saving package.

Package Price

$599

$686

Total package price

What's Included

California Teen Drivers Ed

6 hours behind-the-wheel

Save $134

Recommended for New Drivers

Drivers Ed Course + Five 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Save big with our advanced package, which includes five 2-hour driving lessons plus your online course.

Package Price

$969

$1103

Total package price

What's Included

California Teen Drivers Ed

10 hours behind-the-wheel

More Options

Additional packages to fit your specific needs

Save $27

Three 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Pay for all three lessons now to receive a discount and the DMV completion certificate you need to take your road test.

6 hours behind-the-wheel

$626

$599

Save $74

Five 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Pay for all five lessons now to receive a discount and the DMV completion certificate you need to take your road test.

10 hours behind-the-wheel

$1043

$969

One 2-Hour Driving Lesson - Home Pickup

Pay for this one lesson. You can pay as you go for your next lessons when booking.

2 hours behind-the-wheel

$209

Save $47

Road Test + Three 2-Hour Driving Lessons - Home Pickup

Our three-lesson package, plus a pre-test prep lesson and use our car for your road test. Save $35!

9 hours behind-the-wheel

Road test with our car

$956

$909

Individual Services

Drivers Ed Course Only

Our Drivers Ed course is licensed by the DMV and comes with free mailing for your completion certificate.

$60

Road Test Session - Home Pickup

Use our car for your DMV Road Test. We'll provide a 1-hour test prep/refresher lesson which includes travel to the DMV.

$349

Road Test + One 2-Hour Driving Lesson - Home Pickup

Be sure you're ready for your test with an extra lesson.

$549

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

He is an amazing instructor! He is very patient, gives valuable feedback, and makes me feel safe! He is also very fun and I enjoy our conversations.

Dimitri, Santa Cruz

He definitely gets a 5-star rating. He was very informative and gave me great tips for my driver's test. He made me feel very prepared and I now have my license thanks to him.

Gianna, Gilroy

He was an amazing instructor! He was very kinda and welcoming. Very easy to talk to and gave great tips and instruction when on the road. 5 out of 5 stars!

Jasmin, Watsonville

He was really patient and ready to help me with my nerves. I felt more comfortable with him instructing than any other instructor I’ve worked with.

Debra, Seaside

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.

Certified driving instructors

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

Cutting-edge technology

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

Customers first

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

Customized lesson plans

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

Driving lessons in Monterey Bay and surrounding areas

Monterey Bay is a great place to learn to drive! Our lessons cover all the essential skills you need to be a safe and confident driver, from residential roads to the freeway. Wherever you need to go in Monterey Bay, Coastline will guide your driving education from start to finish!

Monterey Bay Driving School Locations

We know you have a busy schedule. This is why Coastline offers a number of convenient options for lesson locations, including home, work, or school pick up. In some cases, we can even drop you off at an agreed-upon location within certain areas of the Monterey Bay once your lesson is over!

Other Locations and Lesson Types

Lessons will begin at a convenient Monterey Bay location. You will be able to see our meeting points once you begin your search for driving lesson availability.

Safety Lives in Monterey Bay

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

Driving 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

Driving Lessons Customized for You

Every lesson is custom-made to help you succeed.

Certified Driving Lessons for Teens

Our behind-the-wheel lessons are great for teens needing the 6 hours of behind-the-wheel lessons required by the State of California for a license. By taking lessons with Coastline, you'll have the skills and confidence to pass your California driving test and get on the road in the Monterey Bay!

Driving Lessons for Adults

In addition to driving lessons for teenagers, Coastline also offers lessons for adults seeking to become safer and more confident drivers in their everyday lives. Whether it's your first time driving or you're looking to practice for an upcoming California driving test, our expert, certified instructors are here for you!

Monterey Bay's Top Driving Instructors

Coastline's hiring standards and training program go above and beyond to ensure your and your child's safety when in the car. All Coastline instructors undergo multiple background checks and complete a rigorous training program to help ensure their readiness and knowledge in the lesson. When you choose Coastline Academy, you are choosing Monterey Bay's top driving educators!

Two-Hour Lessons

A typical Coastline lesson is two hours long, adhering to the California state standard of three, two-hour lessons for all teenaged drivers. Your lesson time starts from when we pick you up and ends when we drop you off.

Will I Pass My Road Test?

Good, prepared, and confident drivers pass their road test. Because of this, we focus on developing and mastering core skills first, including basic driving maneuvers, residential driving, commercial driving, and freeway driving! Once you're confident in these skills, we'll help guide you through the road test by explaining the testing process from beginning to end, including administering a mock driving exam during one of your last lessons!

How Many Lessons Do I Need?

Every driver's needs and progress differ, which is why every Coastline lesson is customized for you. Note, all minors in Monterey Bay and in California are required to take 6 total hours of professional driving instruction. (Need more practice? Not a problem! Contact our Support Team to learn about our five-lesson packages!)

Our Car, Our Insurance

Coastline provides all the tools and materials you need for your lessons, including a vehicle, certified Monterey Bay instructor, and insurance! All you need to bring is a positive attitude and a willingness to learn!

Post-Lesson Report Included

At the end of each lesson session, your instructor will complete a lesson report which will summarize the skills you have mastered and those that need more practice. You'll also get a personalized message with helpful tips and resources to study and try between your lessons, meaning you can maximize your practice time!

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.

Driving instructors serving Monterey Bay

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.

Gil R.

Gil has over 40 years of driving experience and several years of teaching various subjects one-on-one under his belt as well. And with over 20 years providing excellent customer service, he is looking forward to meeting you and teaching you the joys ... Read more...

Speaks Spanish

Instructor Trainer

1,500+ Lessons

Scott L.

Scott loves animals and dabbles in hiking, skateboarding, snowboarding, making music and travel. He wants to make it second-nature for others to perform safely on the road. Read more...

Shayne S.

Shayne spent the last 29 years serving in the military with the United States Air Force. Now, as a veteran, he is committed to help others be safe and responsible vehicle operators. Read more...

Instructor Trainer

2,000+ Lessons

David B.

Dave is very passionate about making the roads safer for everyone. He wants to give you a solid foundation to begin your driving journey. Think of Dave as more of a coach than an instructor. Read more...

1,000+ Lessons

William H.

William has over 20 years of navigating California roads. Read more...

500+ Lessons

Dominick S.

Dominick brings a strong safety-focused background to driving instruction, with multiple seasons as a wildland firefighter and current service in Emergency Management with the Air Force. His teaching style is calm, patient, and supportive, helping st... Read more...

Tito C.

Tito is a commercial driver with years of experience, licensed since age 18 and holding a CDL since 2021, with extensive driving experience across multiple states and vehicle types. Born and raised on the Central Coast, he brings a calm, patient, and... Read more...

Trudi S.

Trudi has been coaching athletics and training dog obedience for over 20 years. She brings her coaching passion and skills to Coastline to help students learn to be safe and confident drivers in an educational and comfortable environment. Her listeni... Read more...

Pedro A.

Pedro helps new learners become confident and safe drivers. Learning to drive can be daunting, so Pedro provides a calm, patient, and friendly environment. Whether it's your first time behind the wheel or you're brushing up on skills before the test... 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 California. 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.