New to licenses?

Not sure how to get your license?

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.

San Francisco Driving School

Looking to get your driver's license? Start your San Francisco driving lesson journey today with Coastline! Wherever you need to go in the city, from residential streets to the freeway, Coastline’s certified, professional driving instructors are ready and eager to teach you!

Get started:

Driving Lessons

Drivers Ed

About Coastline

Coastline is licensed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and recognized by the following San Francisco organizations:

Learn more about our San Francisco driver education programs below!

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

He is extremely friendly, knowledgeable and reassuring. He taught me the rules of the road in a very clear manner and was able to provide very balanced feedback. The pre-test tips are especially useful.

Kevin, San Francisco

He was very kind and engaging, he showed me the ropes and smoothly guided me. He made me feel very confident in my driving but also made sure I was being careful and cautious.

Assaf, San Francisco

He is an amazing instructor! He will definitely make sure you are well prepared for your road test. He taught me the techniques and mechanics of driving which are very helpful tools to prepare for my behind-the-wheel test.

Jorelle, San Francisco

He was great at building confidence quickly, had a very calm and reassuring demeanor which made me feel at ease behind the wheel.

Sam, San Francisco

Click here to read more Coastline reviews.

Driving Lesson Packages in San Francisco

Get the Online Course Free

Save $91

Lessons from Home

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.

$689 $780

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.

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 San Francisco and surrounding areas

San Francisco is a great place to practice driving! Coastline offers lessons throughout the city and surrounding regions. From parallel parking to the freeway, Coastline will guide your driving education from start to finish!

San Francisco 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!) In some cases, we can even drop you off at an agreed-upon location within certain areas of San Francisco once your lesson is over!

Other Locations and Lesson Types

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

Safety Lives in San Francisco

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

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.

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 San Francisco!

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

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 San Francisco's top driving educators!

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.

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!

Every driver's needs and progress differ, which is why every Coastline lesson is customized for you. Note, all minors in San Francisco 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!)

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

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.

Driving instructors serving San Francisco

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.

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

Wesley W.

Native born San Franciscan, Wesley Wong became an English Teacher after a long career as a professional photographer and photojournalist.Before coming to Coastline, Wesley was an autonomous vehicle test operator for self-driving vehicles. He says his... Read more...

200+ Lessons

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

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

Andrew H.

With over 20 years of experience driving cars and riding motorcycles in various conditions, coupled with a decade of mechanical repair experience, Andrew is a driving instructor who can effectively balance theory and techniques with real-world applic... 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,... 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...

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...

Jenny V.

Jenny was born and raised in San Francisco. She earned a BS in Computer Science from UCSB, spent over five years in training and development in retail operations, and now works full time as a pastry chef. She became a driving instructor to give stude... 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.