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 Luis Obispo Driving School

Whether it's your first time behind the wheel or the day before your road test, Coastline offers driving education that will make you a safer, more confident driver for life. Wherever you need to go in the greater San Luis Obispo area, our 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 Luis Obispo-area organizations:

Learn more about our San Luis Obispo driver education programs below!

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

She is a great instructor. She was really patient with me and helped me in overcoming my fear of driving on highways. Because of her I am a much confident driver now.

Naincy, San Luis Obispo

I had an amazing experience with my driving instructor! He was incredibly patient and nice throughout my lessons. He taught me exactly what I needed to know and made sure I was fully prepared for my driving test. Thanks to his excellent guidance, I went into my test feeling confident and passed with ease.

Patricia, Santa Maria

Absolutely 5 stars! He was so fun to talk to and very encouraging. He made me feel confident about driving and I had a great experience with him!

Lydia, San Luis Obispo

If I can rate more than 5 stars I would. She was an amazing instructor. Always gave encouragement to keep up with the skills learned, and she trusts the student she's teaching which was very helpful in boosting my confidence to drive safely.

Jinky, Atascadero

Click here to read more Coastline reviews.

Driving Lesson Packages in San Luis Obispo

Click here to see all packages.

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 Luis Obispo and surrounding areas

San Luis Obispo is a great place to learn how to drive! Coastline serves the entire San Luis Obispo area, including Morro Bay, Santa Maria, and Pismo Beach. Wherever you need to go in San Luis Obispo, Coastline will guide your driving education from residential roads to the freeway!

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

Other Locations and Lesson Types

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

Safety Lives in San Luis Obispo

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 Luis Obispo!

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 Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo'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 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!

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

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.

Shane A.

Shane has been enjoying a 30 year career as a Hollywood Stuntman/Stunt Driver before coming over to Coastline Academy. He brings an enthusiasm for safety to every lesson. And as a bonus, his students pick up professional driving tips and skills Shane... Read more...

1,000+ Lessons

Cecelia K.

As a Cal Poly grad and a SLO native, Cecelia Kramer is an experienced professional driver who uses skills built in a variety of different work disciplines as well as her current driving position to draw from and create fun, unique and safe driving ex... Read more...

Matthew R.

Matt Reed is a driving instructor with a background in athletics and psychology who loves to teach others and help them reach their potential. Read more...

Pershaud B.

Pershaud Bolt is a professional driving instructor with over 23 years of experience operating everything from manual transmissions to commercial rigs. Known for his calm demeanor and coaching background, he specializes in helping students gain confid... Read more...

Joanne J.

Joanne Johnson is excited to bring her training/teaching and driving skills to her students. Growing up in Southern California she brings over 40+ years of driving experience to every lesson. Now settled on the beautiful Central Coast she is excited ... 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.