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 Santa Monica

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

He is a very good instructor. He built my confidence during the lesson and guided me through all aspects involved while driving on the road.
Glenn, Hayward
She was very nice and relatable. She also gave the best feedback I've gotten and advice that I will use forever in my driving journey!
Valerie, Union City
She provides a welcoming atmosphere. I was really comfortable as she was patient and took time for me to understand things.
Tyler, San Jose
He was an amazing teacher! Really informative and helpful! Would 100% recommend him and would do it again!
Grant, Milpitas
Click here to read more Coastline reviews.

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 Monica and surrounding areas

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Santa Monica is an ideal place to learn to drive. Quiet residential areas, busy commercial zones and major freeways are all just a few minutes drive.

Some locations:

Some Santa Monica lessons include pickup and drop off at home, work or school, making it easy to fit your lesson in with your schedule.

Other locations and lesson types:

Some lessons in Santa Monica originate from a convenient meeting point location. You can see our meeting points once you begin your search for availability.

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Safety Lives in Santa Monica

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 Santa Monica

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.

Rick W.

Rick W.

Rick teaches with Aloha and patience. As a kindergarten-college level educator from Hawaii, Rick designs custom lessons based on student skill level and experience. Read more...

2,000+ Lessons
Gerardo C.

Gerardo C.

Gerardo has over 20 years of driving experience in Los Angeles. As a driving instructor Gerardo has a calm, positive, and patient approach with all his students. Gerardo has instructed over 1,500 lessons. Gerardo's objective is for students to attain... Read more...

Speaks Spanish
500+ Lessons
Candice S.

Candice S.

Candice has been in the driving industry for over 18 years. She’s currently working as a professional driver with a large corporation and has received an award for the past 15 years of safe driving. Driving brings her joy and she’s excited to teach s... Read more...

200+ Lessons
Daniel T.

Daniel T.

As a working professional, Daniel Teeter has many years of experience driving in some of the busiest areas of the U.S. in cars and trucks while avoiding accidents and traffic tickets. His mission is to teach others how to do the same. He currently re... Read more...

200+ Lessons
Anthony P.

Anthony P.

Anthony is passionate about creating a trusting, calm, and supportive environment with his students. He is extremely patient, and wants to help students celebrate small victories, and help them to learn that mistakes are part of the process. Read more...

100+ Lessons
Ellie W.

Ellie W.

Ellie Wells has been a driving instructor since 2022. When not on the roads, she's a writer, filmmaker, and loves thrifting, nature and travel. Read more...

100+ Lessons
Hector L.

Hector L.

Hector has 25 years driving experience, knows how to work with teenagers, has a good driving record, and he will be a great fit for your son, daughter, or yourself. Read more...

Speaks Spanish
100+ Lessons
Sandrine B.

Sandrine B.

Sandrine, originally from Martinique in the French Caribbean, is an experienced driver with 13 years of practice, having learned stick-shift in France and automatic in Los Angeles. She is also a professional dancer, performing in music videos, live s... Read more...

Speaks French
Byron C.

Byron C.

Byron brings a passion to instruction and a smile to work every single day. He is a light of positivity and endurance that shines in each lesson. Previously tasked with operating heavy machinery in the labyrinth that is LAX, Byron brings a very attun... Read more...

Brandon C.

Brandon C.

After completing his BA in English at Fresno State University, Brandon trained under longtime driving instructors at AAA Driving School in San Diego. Years later, he moved to Bakker's Driving School, where he honed his ability to translate high level... Read more...

2,000+ Lessons
Eddy C.

Eddy C.

A lifelong Angeleno, Eddy has been working with or around vehicles for years. His understanding of vehicle dynamics, motion, and momentum is honed by years of instructing and riding motorcycles in the canyons of Malibu and the Pacific Palisades. Read more...

Speaks Spanish
Ina T.

Ina T.

Ina brings decades of driving experience and a background in Higher Education. She is dedicated to helping drivers become safe and confident on the road. Her teaching style is friendly and encouraging. Read more...

Askari F.

Askari F.

After a lifetime of teaching violin, Askari earned his BA in Music from California Institute of the Arts. Askari quickly distinguished himself as one of the top instructors in Los Angeles. Read more...

Carlos P.

Carlos P.

Even before earning his BS in Sociology from UC Irvine, Carlos worked as an educator with High School students for LAUSD. With a background in non-profit social work, Carlos brings an irreplaceable empathy to driving instruction that is so often miss... Read more...

Fiona K.

Fiona K.

Fiona Kerr grew up in New Jersey, she has also lived in New England, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. Fiona found a deep love for house plants, especially succulents, on her move to southern California in 2011. Two years ago, Fiona completed a... Read more...

Regis M.

Regis M.

Regis has been instructing since the 80's and is truly an expert in the field. A lifelong learner, Regis always incorporates new techniques that work for students into his craft. His teaching skills are not only informed by decades of instruction but... Read more...

John P.

John P.

John Pierce brings a thoughtful, mission-driven approach to his role as a driving instructor at Coastline Academy. With three years of experience behind the wheel as a professional educator, John is known for his calm presence and ability to connect ... Read more...

Dunbar B.

Dunbar B.

Dunbar gets constant praise for his warm demeanor and approachable attitude, something that he honed as a probation officer working with minors. He also holds a masters degree in Sociology from California State University Dominguez Hills. His lived e... Read more...

Wayne C.

Wayne C.

After graduating with a BA in Filmmaking from Loyola Marymount University, Wayne embarked on Primo's training program to quickly become one of the most reviewed instructors in Los Angeles. ​ ​ Wayne credits his ability to relate to students as the ... Read more...

Amanda N.

Amanda N.

Amanda has been assisting customers in their driver's education since 1996 when she began as a customer service representative at a Driving School. Her years of expertise speak for themselves, with thousands of students enrolled and knowledge of the ... Read more...

Diamond R.

Diamond R.

With a lifelong commitment to serving others, Diamond became a fixture in driving schools quickly. Diamond works tirelessly to facilitate shared ideas and methods to deliver students and parents the best experience possible. 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