Not sure how to get your license?

How to Get Your License in San Jose

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 Jose Driving School

Whether you are a teen or adult, Coastline is here to help you get your driver's license and become a safe and confident driver for life! From residential roads to the freeway, Coastline’s San Jose-based, professional and certified 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 California and San Jose-area organizations:

Learn more about our San Jose driver education programs below!

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

She was very calm and understanding and made me feel very comfortable. I appreciated her concern for if I was feeling ok and she always made sure to tell me when I did well!

Bonnie, San Jose

A genuinely enjoyable experience! He provided such an upbeat and fun atmosphere, while continually providing helpful feedback along with great tips, tricks, and useful information for the road.

Elsa, Santa Clara

He is really just a great guy to have as your instructor. Felt perfectly comfortable the whole ride, and I learned a lot from him.

Alexander, Cupertino

She provides a welcoming atmosphere. I was really comfortable as she was patient and took time for me to understand things. Her sense of humor is great and she will clear up any doubts you have!

Tyler, San Jose

Click here to read more Coastline reviews.

Driving Lesson Packages in San Jose

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 San Jose and surrounding areas

San Jose 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 stop signs to the freeway. Wherever you need to go in the greater San Jose region, Coastline will guide your driving education from start to finish!

San Jose 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 San Jose once your lesson is over!

Other Locations and Lesson Types

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

Safety Lives San Jose

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.

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 San Jose!

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!

San Jose'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 the San Jose'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 San Jose 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 San Jose 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.

Driving instructors serving San Jose

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.

David J.

In addition to being a driving instructor, Dave has taught in diverse fields from military computer operations to Girl Scouts. 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...

Pierre C.

Pierre has taught more than 1,000 students to be safer, more confident, knowledgeable and responsible drivers. Read more...

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 and privilege of driving safely all in a calm, friendly, thorough and patient manner. Read more...

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...

Shirley K.

Shirley has operated vehicles ranging from commuter cars to buses to autonomous vehicle prototypes. With extensive driving experience in California and overseas, Shirley recognizes the differences in driving cultures between the East and West. Whether you are a new driver or an experienced driver in need of a refresher lesson, Shirley is here to assist you. Read more...

Maria G.

Maria is a retired postal carrier who’s gone 30 years without being in a single crash. She is enthusiastic about teaching you to drive defensively and being ready to pass the driving exam. She served as a driving trainer for the Postal Service. She's comfortable working with teens or experienced adult drivers who want to brush up on their skills. 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...

Anthony G.

Anthony resides in the San Jose area and has been driving for 19 years. He recently obtained his CDL A license in May of 2023 and has been enjoying the challenges of driving tractor/trailers. Anthony enjoys teaching and coaching others by sharing his experiences. Read more...

Andy F.

Ever since Andrew got his license he’s jumped behind anything with a steering wheel and 4 tires. He hopes to give this confidences to others as well a discover the joys of driving! Read more...

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 applications. Read more...

Tam N.

Tam has over 20 years of driving experience and brings strong practical knowledge to his role as a driving instructor. He spent many years driving 5–6 hours a day as a contractor, gaining valuable experience in different road and weather conditions. This helped him learn how to stay alert, safe, and focused while driving. Tam truly enjoys being on the road, and his passion for driving shows in every lesson he teaches. 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...

David L.

Working in a cycling academy for four years, David excels in guiding students of all ages to confidently navigate traffic, fostering their safety and excellence while enjoying the process. Read more...

Michael Ru M.

Michael or ‘Ru’ for short has been driving with an accident and ticket free record for over 13 years. He grew up in the south bay area and loves the food and boba here! Read more...

Duane O.

Duane's aim in each lesson is to provide a positive and rewarding experience for the student. He believes this can be accomplished by first ensuring the student is relaxed and comfortable and then tailoring the lesson to the individualized needs of each student. He loves to teach and will be attentive and patient while sharing what he has learned from his forty-plus years of accident-free driving Read more...

Yusuf A.

Yusuf has 5 years of experience as a professional in his field, but 10 years of experience with tutoring and teaching various topics. Having both a motorcycle license and an international driving permit have also provided new perspectives through different lenses of how to view what happens on the road, and that is what he enjoys teaching and sharing with his students. Read more...

Samuel Y.

Sam has almost 10 years of driving experience driving all over the country, from Seattle all the way to New York City. He wants to help new drivers build the confidence they need to start driving because he knows how intimidating driving can be at first! 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.