Steps to Getting Your License

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

Student type

Step 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

Step 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!

Start Practicing

Step 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.

Make Appointment

Step 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.

Book Lessons

Step 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.

Make Appointment

Need more licensing details? Visit our help article.

Orange County Driving School

Name: Coastline Academy - Orange County
Address: 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606, Irvine, CA, 92606, US
Telephone: (800) 489-1896

Are you a teen looking to get your first license? Or an adult who has a new commute? Come learn to drive with with Coastline Academy! From Santa Ana to Irvine and everywhere in between, our Orange County-based professional, certified driving instructors are ready to get you behind the wheel on and the road!

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 partners with the following Southern California and Orange County organizations:

Learn more about our Orange County 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 was a lovely instructor and made the lesson really enjoyable! Small talk and explanations throughout filled the lesson with positive energy and I had a lovely time having my lesson with him!

Saif, Newport Beach

Incredible time! She was super-attentive and made me feel comfortable as can be. She was able to help guide me without making me feel anxious and boosted my confidence when needed. Would definitely request her again.

Alicia, Santa Ana

I had an amazing lesson! He was very a very thorough teacher who has clearly found the most effective ways for teaching his students and in a fun manner. Now because of his lessons, I feel far more knowledgeable and confident in driving.

Penny, Fullerton

5 stars! She provided me with helpful tips on how to park, reverse, merge, etc. Driving with her assistance was comfortable and beneficial; I will definitely be taking more lessons with her!

Zainab, Placentia

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 Orange County and surrounding areas

Orange County is a great place to practice driving! Our lessons can take you from Anaheim over to the coast, through Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa all the way down to San Clemente. Wherever you need to go in Orange County, Coastline will guide your driving education from start to finish!

Orange County 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. (This may come especially in handy for high school students or older students attending UCI or CSUF!) In some cases, we can even drop you off at an agreed-upon location within certain areas of Orange County once your lesson is over!

Other Locations and Lesson Types

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

Safety Lives in Orange County

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!

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!

Orange County'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 Orange County'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 highway 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 Orange County 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 Orange County 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 Orange County

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.

Jim H.

Jim has been a drive instructor since 2013. He has taught thousands of students how to drive or improve on their driving ability. Engaging, fun and calm under stress, he has very quick reflexes and has your safety in mind. Read more...

Speaks Japanese

2,000+ Lessons

Carmela R.

Carmela has been a teacher for over 24 years.She is patient, fun, and cares about her students. Her teaching skills help new drivers feel confident and comfortable. . Read more...

Speaks Spanish

Instructor Trainer

2,000+ Lessons

Ian K.

Ian has been all over southern California, and has seen first-hand the importance of safe driving. He has a passion for passing on the wisdom he has accumulated and is determined to create more responsible drivers on the road. Read more...

1,000+ Lessons

Sylvanus N.

Sylvanus has been driving for 12 years, with 5 of these years being a Commercial driver license holder. Sylvanus graduated from the University of Maryland and is ready to help you become a safer driver. Read more...

1,000+ Lessons

Instructor Trainer

Patrick K.

In Patrick's 32 year career with United Parcel Service, he was awarded 23 consecutive years of safe driving. He was an on-route daily delivery driver and a driver trainer. Utilizing his Cultural Anthropology degree and the people skills he aquired ... Read more...

Instructor Trainer

1,000+ Lessons

Manager

Ryan H.

Ryan has been a Music Teacher for almost 30 years. He now sees the car as a musical instrument and would love to guide you to play tastefully and and in tune! Read more...

500+ Lessons

Steve S.

Steve has spent a lifetime as a photographic business owner; is college educated and a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran. Semi-retired he is currently a teaching docent with over 4,000 hours at Lyon Air Museum. Teaching and educating are equally important. Read more...

200+ Lessons

Paul C.

Paul has over 15 years experience navigating the road between the California coasts to the Snowy weather in Colorado, and in Toronto, Canada. He drives with a family first mindset and enjoys swimming, bike riding with family, and plays the Ukulele. Read more...

200+ Lessons

Riley S.

Riley has a love for teaching and being around people. She has always taken pride in being a safe and well-rounded driver and hopes to help others feel the same way about themselves. She is kind, patient, detail-oriented and compassionate while also ... Read more...

100+ Lessons

Michael F.

Michael F has 14 years as a truck driver. Has driven across the continental U.S through various weather conditions. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to teach new truckers and guide them through the industry. He has also taught in a p... Read more...

200+ Lessons

Adnan K.

On a traffic light green means go and yellow means yield, but on a banana it’s the exact opposite. Green means hold on, yellow means go ahead, and red means where did you get that banana at? Read more...

200+ Lessons

Qinmei Y.

Driving should be a comfortable activity, with habitual acts of precautions and Qinmei (May) would love to help you learn how to do so! Read more...

Speaks Mandarin

200+ Lessons

Jennifer B.

In addition to working for the United States Postal Service, she takes pride in having a patient, fun loving attitude with her students and sharing her 42 yrs of driving experience. She treats each student with the dignity and respect they deserve. Read more...

200+ Lessons

Milan S.

Milan Shah has covered a lot of miles under different driving conditions while driving an Uber. He has improved his defensive and predictive driving skills as a result and is happy to pass it on to the new drivers to make driving safer for all on the... Read more...

100+ Lessons

Christina M.

Christina Morales-Grace is a seasoned driver with years of experience navigating California’s roads—from Southern California freeways to Northern California cities. With a calm, supportive approach and a background in both professional driving and in... Read more...

100+ Lessons

Michael D.

Michael is an experienced driving instructor with 40 plus years of driving experience and 8 years of experience teaching both high school students and adult drivers. He focuses on building safe, confident, and responsible drivers through patient, cle... Read more...

Scott H.

Scott has been driving the busy roads and freeways of So CA for over thirty years, and has been a driving instructor for over nine years. He takes a calm approach, setting nervous students at ease. Read more...

Alexander T.

Alex brings over 35 years of driving experience and a strong commitment to safety on the road. As a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Sergeant, he spent approximately 20 years training new deputies as both a field training officer and academy instru... Read more...

Speaks Spanish

Daniel L.

He has over 30 years of driving experience and a lifelong passion for cars, especially those with manual transmissions. He learned to drive stick during the winter of his sophomore year in college in a Mitsubishi 3000GT and has since owned nine cars—... Read more...

Speaks Korean

Speaks Spanish

Speaks Portuguese

Yolanda A.

Yolanda is a native of California. Driving experience of over 30 years. She has prior teaching and tutoring skills that has prompted her with the patience and diligence in being a valuable driving instructor. Read more...

Travis B.

Travis has been driving for over 20 years. He graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree and worked for many years as a substitute teacher. He now has been a driving instructor for over 2 years and enjoys being able to continue gu... Read more...

Sean L.

Sean has worked for the state of California for 20 years and currently holds the position as a Heavy Equipment Operator/ Trainer with CalTrans. He also has Class A and M1 licenses. He enjoys being an instructor as well and hopes to pass on the safe d... Read more...

Bob Y.

Bob has a driving experience of over 50 years. He was honored to be able to speak at local high schools to students with the MADD organization. Bob is a very polite and affable instructor. He enjoys what he does and looks forward to making an impact ... Read more...

Pete D.

Pete is a native Californian who has been instructing for over 4 decades. His passion for driving and motor-sports have enabled him to train and help drivers at many levels. He feels new drivers benefit from patient, encouraging and knowledgeable in... Read more...

Jay L.

Jay has been driving for over 10 years. Occasionally he drives rally where he has learned to operate both manual and sequential transmissions. The importance of driving cautiously and being able to control every aspect of a vehicle is what he wants t... Read more...

Jeff S.

Jeff has been driving over 40 years and is native to Orange County . He looks forward to working with new and current drivers. During his lessons having fun while becoming a safe and confident driver is a goal that Jeff sets for all his students. App... Read more...

Jeff F.

Jeff is an Orange County native. He is an extremely patient and understanding instructor. He has over 40 years of driving experience and hopes to pass along all of his wisdom to new drivers. He tries to make lessons very informative while also enjoya... Read more...

Hong T.

Hong immigrated from Vietnam in 1978 and graduated from Irvine High School in 1978 and went on to attend College for business administration. Hong worked at Oakley for 10 years as a lead supervisor. Besides working at Varsity, Hong currently works fo... Read more...

Hannah V.

Hannah is an instructor with the passion for empowering students to become confident and responsible drivers. With a background in teaching high-adventure activities like rock climbing and ATVing through the Boy Scouts of America, she brings a unique... Read more...

Edgar G.

Edgar is an instructor with over seven years of experience. He has a patient teaching style and likes to share his passion for driving with students. Edgar has worked with a diverse range of drivers and prioritizes safety and confidence on the road. ... Read more...

Dan Y.

Dan has many years of driving experience. He has previously worked in the insurance industry for over 33 years. He is very patient and provides a healthy positive attitude during lessons. Dan enjoys being able to interact with students and pass alon... Read more...

Chris M.

Chris has been driving in Southern California for over 40 years. He enjoys teaching his students the responsibilities of being on the road, hoping he can help steer their skills in the right direction. Chris believes his unassuming attitude towards d... Read more...

Catherine S.

Catherine earned an undergraduate degree in psychology, a Master degree in Theology and another Master degree in Education with Master level studies in Counseling Psychology. The welfare of all people is Catherine’s primary focus and this is demonstr... Read more...

Ann H.

Ann has over 40 years of experience behind the wheel and has been an instructor for over 3 years. During lessons she strives for students to know the responsibility of being on the road. Her main goal is to teach all her students how to safely drive ... Read more...

Trisha R.

Trisha is a dedicated homeschooling mother of three with over 20 years of experience nurturing and educating young minds. Her passion for safety and her commitment to empowering the next generation make her an exceptional driving instructor. Having p... Read more...

Brandon G.

Brandon G. Has over 5 years of experience as a driving instructor. He also has over 20 years working with youths in education and sports. 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.