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 Stanford

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.

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Driving Lessons
driving student

Over 100,000 5-Star Reviews

Shayne was an extremely knowledgeable and joyful driving instructor! I truly enjoyed my driving lesson.
Sebastian Q.
My driving instructor was very patient and created a good atmosphere to learn during my driving lesson.
Sara D.
Cheryle was superb! My driving instructor ensured I adhered to road signs, kept me safe, and built my confidence. After just three days, I hit the road with ease, especially with those turns!
Humphrey S.
Don is a kind and caring driving instructor! He turns mistakes into learning moments, making the driving lessons enjoyable. I learned so much in just two hours!
Lily R.
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 Stanford and surrounding areas

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Driving lessons in Stanford offer a unique start in the heart of Silicon Valley. Located within Santa Clara County, the community is defined by its university campus, set between the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the bay. This distinctive environment provides a blend of controlled campus roads and busy local streets, creating an ideal training ground for new drivers to build their foundational skills.

Practical skills are developed on campus before advancing to major routes like CA-82. Instructors provide crucial training on nearby freeways such as I-280, covering techniques for merging and managing traffic. Driving to neighboring Palo Alto and Menlo Park exposes students to diverse urban scenarios, from busy downtowns to quiet residential streets, ensuring a well-rounded experience.

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 goal is to cultivate skilled, defensive drivers who navigate with confidence. By mastering local roads and regional highways, students acquire the practical abilities needed for a lifetime of safe travel.

A Coastline Driving Lesson Vehicle

Safety Lives in Stanford

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 Stanford

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.

Pierre C.

Pierre C.

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

1,000+ Lessons
Martyn J.

Martyn J.

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

500+ Lessons
Instructor Trainer
Shirley K.

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. Whethe... Read more...

Speaks Cantonese
Speaks Mandarin
Instructor Trainer
1,000+ Lessons
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
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...

Michael Ru M.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Jason G.

Jason G.

Jason's driving experience expands over 35 years. He was trained to drive-in high-pressure situations while attending the police academy. He understands that students will be nervous and excited at the same time. But he will make sure the driving exp... 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...

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