How to Get Your License in Oakland

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.

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.

Oakland Driving School

Are you ready to learn to drive? Whether you’re a teen looking to get your first license or an adult new to Oakland, Coastline is here to help you become a safe and confident driver for life. From Alameda to Emeryville, Coastline’s professional, certified driving instructors are ready and eager to teach you!

An aerial view of downtown Oakland

About Coastline

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

Learn more about our Oakland driver education programs below!

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

She was an incredible teacher! I felt so safe and comfortable with her. Her instructions were really clear and she was so patient. I really appreciated her teaching style. She made me feel confident in myself and by the end of the class didn't want to stop driving. She is great!
Jordan, Oakland
An amazing experience from my instructor, he taught me about reversing, he taught me about parking and he just gave me amazing tips on what to do when behind the wheel.
Kevion, Oakland
Extremely kind and patient! He definitely helped me become more confident with driving, and in passing my driving test!
Rexine, Oakland
Thanks to his tutelage of safe and calm driving - I passed my behind-the-wheel driving test! I appreciated the way he believed in me, reminded to practice, and had faith in the ways I took his lessons seriously to build my confidence as a new driver on the road.
Austin, Oakland
Click here to read more Coastline reviews.

Driving Lesson Packages in Oakland

Drivers Ed Course Only

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

$60
Get the Online Course Free
Save $86

Drivers Ed Course + Three 2-Hour Driving Lessons

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

$649 $735
Advanced Package, Biggest Discount
Save $136

Drivers Ed Course + Five 2-Hour Driving Lessons

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

$1049 $1185
Click here to see all packages.

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 Oakland and surrounding areas

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Oakland is a great place to practice driving! Our lessons cover all the essential skills you need to be a safe and confident driver, including parallel parking and the freeway. Wherever you need to go, whether it’s over the Bay Bridge Bridge or down 880, Coastline will guide your driving education from start to finish!

Oakland 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 Oakland once your lesson is over!

Other Locations and Lesson Types

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

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Safety Lives Oakland

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.

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 Oakland!

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 in Oakland or you're looking to practice for an upcoming California driving test, our expert, certified instructors are here for you!

Oakland'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 Oakland'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 Oakland 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 Oakland 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 masters 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.

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Driving instructors serving Oakland

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 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...

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 and teacher, and developing that rapport with a new person is extremely satisfying for Janette. Your safe driving future awaits... Read more...

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...

David D.

I was born and raised in the Bay area and lived here my whole life. During my spare time, I enjoy collecting hot wheels and matchbox cars. I'm also a easy going person, that embraces diversity. Read more...

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...

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 health and fitness coach, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for education to the driver's seat. Read more...

Neelima M.

With over 20 years of safe driving experience all throughout California, Neelima is dedicated to sharing her expertise and passion for teaching driving. Neelima firmly believe that learning to drive is a significant milestone on the path to independence, and she is committed to helping students reach their goals safely and confidently. Read more...

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 a therapist. Read more...

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 outside in the fresh air, behind the wheel. I think instructing people to drive would be so fulfilling. Read more...

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 the road. Read more...

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 better prepare the next generation of drivers. Read more...

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, where he got to drive cool cars like Mustangs and Corvettes for commercials. He then graduated to drive huge trucks filled with equipment as a professional lighting grip. He got to work on set, on music videos that featured stars like Annie Lennox, Prince, and Peter Gabriel. That was fun! Joseph enjoys teaching very much. He started a company where he drove around a ton, because he was hired by different corporations to teach sales teams new ways to talk about the value of what they sold to their customers. Joseph showed people how to talk about really technical things, but with the patience to explain it all in really simple terms, so their customers could understand how it works and what it means to them. Teaching others has also taught Joseph how to make it simple and fun. He wants to help you build super amazing driving skills you can feel safe using and grow with. Most of all, he want to pass on the fun and reward good driving skills will bring you, because safe, confident driving will bring you a bigger spoonful of life’s adventures! Read more...

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...

Catherine S.

Catherine was born and raised in the Bay Area with 12 years of driving experience. She has worked as a delivery driver for about 3 years after working in the healthcare field as a caregiver. Working in these jobs has exposed her to drive and get aquatinted with most cities around the Bay Area and Central Valley. Growing up being the oldest taught her to take initiative to teach her 3 siblings how to drive safely and learn from her mistakes. With her patience, compassion, and experience with the roads will make her an effective instructor. Read more...

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 kindergarten through high school. Daniel has always had a passion to continue teaching and coaching students to be the best leaders for their future. Communication and active listening are part of his strengths when teaching. Safety is Daniel’s top priority for student drivers. He focuses on teaching drivers to be mindful of their surroundings. Daniel brings an impeccable driving record to our staff and is a measured and competent driver. When not working, Daniel enjoys watching baseball games, fishing, visiting parks, watching sci-fi movies, playing his guitar at church, and going on road trips with his family, which includes children who range in age from toddler to teenager. Daniel speaks English and Spanish fluently. Read more...

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 to share with first time drivers to be a safe and competent driver. Read more...

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 throws as us. Danny wants to help you start your driving journey! Read more...

Thuon C.

Thuon Chen was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and came to the United States when he was 5 years old. Thuon studied English Literature at UC Berkeley, and worked as a computer programmer for 15 years, and traveled the world, before becoming a school teacher in the Oakland Unified School District. Read more...

Skye O.

Meet Skye, your go-to guy for mastering driving! With a knack for turning nerves into know-how, Skye’s here to make driving a breeze. When he's not behind the wheel, you'll find him all over the bay area whether that be on a hiking trail, playing music at a concert or keeping up with his back patio vegetable garden. Get ready to hit the road with Skye and turn those driving dreams into reality! Read more...

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...

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 driving instructor, Barron will help prepare you to drive with confidence. Students appreciate his actionable feedback, real-world examples, practical advice, technical know-how, and emotional support. Some day, after teaching a thousand cyclists and drivers, Barron hopes to train pilots too! 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.

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How Can We Help?

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