Steps to Getting Your License

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

Driving Lessons in San Mateo

Whether it's your first time behind the wheel or you need a brush up before your test, we offer driving education that will make you a safer, more confident driver for life.

Get started:

Driving Lessons
driving student

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

Kara was so patient. I feel confident now with my driving because of her, during my driving lesson!
Mariah S.
Armand is an awesome driving instructor. He made me feel comfortable on the wheel and is a great teacher.
Khresta D.
My driving instructor took his time on my driving lesson, making sure I did it right. I will ask for him again; he did extraordinary!
Chloe H.
Raymond gives great tips for the DMV test and takes different routes to familiarize me during my driving lessons. This really helped me get comfortable.
FNU H.
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.

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 Mateo and surrounding areas

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Driving lessons in San Mateo offer a balanced and ideal learning environment for new drivers. The city's many residential neighborhoods provide quiet, low-traffic streets perfect for mastering fundamental skills like turning, stopping, and parking. This calm setting allows students to build a strong base of control and confidence before advancing to more dynamic driving scenarios.

Once comfortable with the basics, students will progress to navigating busier local arteries and major freeways such as US-101, CA-92, and I-280. These lessons are designed to build proficiency in merging, lane changes, and managing higher speeds safely. Gaining experience on routes toward nearby Burlingame or Belmont also helps prepare drivers for the diverse traffic conditions found throughout San Mateo County.

We offer flexible pickup and drop-off at home, school, or work when available. To accommodate various schedules, some lessons may begin at convenient meeting points in the area, which will be shown once you start searching availability.

Our ultimate goal is to empower students with the defensive driving techniques and sound judgment necessary for a lifetime of safe travel. We focus on transforming structured lessons into practical skills that inspire confidence behind the wheel in any situation.

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Safety Lives in San Mateo

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.

Our school is certified by the DMV, and our lessons are perfect for teens needing the required training with an instructor so you can qualify to take your test, and have the skills and confidence you need to pass it.

We teach adult drivers how to become safer and more confident every day. Whether it's your first time driving or you need to practice for a Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation, our expert instructors are here for you.

Our hiring standards and training program go beyond the industry standard. When you choose Coastline Academy, you are choosing the state's top driving educators.

Good drivers pass the test. So we focus on core skills first, ensuring you are set up to be safe and confident for life, before worrying about the test. On your last lesson, we will do a mock test to be sure you are ready!

Every driver is different, which is why every Coastline lesson is customized for you.

We provide all the tools and materials needed for your lesson, so all you need to bring is a positive attitude toward learning a new skill.

At the end of your lesson, your instructor fills out a post-lesson report that shows the skills you have mastered, and those that need more practice, so you can maximize your practice time between lessons.

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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How to Get a California Driver's License as an Adult

Published in Unclassified

Driving instructors serving San Mateo

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.

Martyn J.

Martyn J.

In addition to teaching driving, Martyn is a professional musician and music teacher. Read more...

500+ Lessons
Instructor Trainer
Maria G.

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... Read more...

Speaks Spanish
Instructor Trainer
1,000+ Lessons
Mike R.

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
Aladrian H.

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...

200+ Lessons
Deshea H.

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
Neelima M.

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 independe... Read more...

Instructor Trainer
200+ Lessons
Anthony G.

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 h... Read more...

Andrew H.

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...

Tam N.

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. ... Read more...

David L.

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...

Daniel G.

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 kin... Read more...

Speaks Spanish
Gregory P.

Gregory P.

Meet Greg, a Bay Area native with 40 years of safe driving experience. As a marketer, he helps brands resonate with consumers. As an instructor, he communicates critical driving principals, rules and strategies that result in actionable guidance. As ... Read more...

Clennel P.

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...

James P.

James P.

James is recently retired from a career in public safety after having served the community for 26 years. He has over 32 years of driving experience and is committed to helping make the roads safer for everyone. Besides his passion for driving, his ea... Read more...

Alan N.

Alan N.

Alan has over 150 lessons with a 95% pass rate. He enjoys teaching safe driving skills because he is also a student pilot himself, which prioritizes safety. You can find him in the skies over the Bay Area when he is not behind the wheel. Alan builds ... Read more...

Ashish B.

Ashish B.

Ashish is an experienced driver with 13 years of diverse driving experience across two countries: the USA and India. His driving repertoire includes navigating hills, countryside roads, and bustling urban centers such as Chicago and New Delhi. In the... Read more...

Diana V.

Diana V.

Diana wants to help teens and adults build essential driving skills and overcome their fears, fostering safe, confident drivers who embrace both freedom and responsibility. Whether in education or driver’s instruction, Diana’s mission remains clear: ... Read more...

Jenny V.

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 Washington. 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.

How Can We Help?

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

Chat

Text us at (800) 489-1896.

Phone

Call us at (800) 489-1896