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.

Driving Lessons in Santa Maria

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

Drivers Ed

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

He is an amazing driving instructor, super helpful and knowledgeable. 10/10 would recommend my driving instructor to others!

Asha K.

She was great! My driving instructor gave lots of constructive criticism and explained everything during her driving lesson.

Alyssa N.

My driving instructor was great! He gave me good feedback and helped me improve during my driving lesson with respectful comments.

Andrea D.

Charles is a great driving instructor! He shared valuable tips and provided thorough explanations during the driving lesson. I feel much more confident now, thanks to his patience!

Nataliia 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 Santa Maria and surrounding areas

Driving lessons in Santa Maria offer a unique opportunity to learn in the heart of the Central Coast. Situated within the expansive Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County, the city provides a diverse learning landscape. Its position as a major regional hub means students can experience a blend of urban and agricultural environments, framed by rolling hills and coastal plains, which is ideal for building comprehensive driving skills from the very beginning.

Initial instruction often begins on quieter residential streets before advancing to busier thoroughfares. As confidence grows, lessons incorporate key routes like the US-101 freeway, which is essential for learning to merge and handle higher speeds safely. Navigating to nearby communities such as Orcutt or Guadalupe provides practical experience with different traffic flows and roadway conditions, preparing students for the variety of driving they will encounter.

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 instructors are dedicated to building a strong foundation of defensive driving habits. The goal is to ensure every new driver feels capable and confident, not just for passing the driving test, but for a lifetime of safe travel on local roads and beyond.

Safety Lives in Santa Maria

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 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.

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:

Sevita Health

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.