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California driver's ed online: rules, prices and approved courses
California requires teens to finish 30 hours of driver education before the permit, and the classroom part can be done entirely online.
Checked October 23, 2026 against the California DMV site.
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Take the quizCalifornia rules at a glance
- Who needs it
- Teens under 17½ applying for a permit. From 17½ to 18 a teen can get the permit without it but can't take the driving test until 18. Adults 18 and older aren't required to take driver's ed.
- Driver education
- 30 hours of classroom instruction, or an approved online course that's equivalent.
- Driver training
- At least 6 hours behind the wheel with a licensed driving school, no more than 2 hours a day. Online courses don't include this; some providers sell it separately in some areas.
- Certificates
- You bring a certificate of completion for driver education (and later driver training) to the DMV.
- Permit test
- In California the permit test is given by the DMV, not by course providers.
Rules summarized from the California DMV driver training schools page. Official source: California DMV.
What it costs
Approved online teen courses in California range from $21.95 to $65 on the providers' own sites (checked October 20, 2026). Most run frequent sales, so the price you see may be lower or higher. The 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a driving school costs extra.
30-hour driver education: 13 approved online options
| Provider | Price | Approval | Phone app | Permit test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Highway Safety Administration | $21.95Includes free certificate mailing and free read-along | CA DMV license E2250 | Not confirmed | State test |
| MyDrivePermit | $22.90Sale $22.90 (regular $27.90) with study guide and a mailed certificate. Bundle with 3 practice exams $31.90 (r… | CA DMV License E0183, as stated on MyDrivePermit's page | No | State test |
| DriverZ | $24.95'Flash deal' price; regular price not shown. Includes 100-question practice tests; certificate form DL 400c / … | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | State test |
| American Safety Council | $24.95combo w/ permit prep $35 In California this course is provided by TrafficSchoolToGo.com, the same company and … | CA DMV license E4608 | Not confirmed | State test |
| California Drivers Ed Course | $24.95100% money-back guarantee; DMV license #E4608 (provider-stated, not DMV-lookup-verified) The same TrafficSchoo… | CA DMV license E4608 | Not confirmed | State test |
| All Good Drivers | $29Sale price of $29 shown on the enrollment page; includes midterm and final exams and the DMV certificate maile… | Not confirmed | No | State test |
| iDriveSafelySame company as Aceable and DriversEd.com | $34.95Sale $34.95 (regular $44.95); 30 hours; certificate is DMV form OL 237. Behind-the-wheel sold separately. | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | State test |
| Safe2Drive | $34.95'All-Inclusive, now only $34.95'; free certificate by mail, money-back guarantee, no lesson timers. | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | State test |
| AceableSame company as iDriveSafely and DriversEd.com | $49Sale $49 (regular $70); 30-hour course, Ace Mode included, 100% money-back guarantee. Behind-the-wheel (6 hr) … | CA DMV license #4442 | Yes | State test |
| Get Drivers Ed | $54.99regular $89.99, 39% off sale | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | State test |
| DriversEd.comSame company as iDriveSafely and Aceable | $59regular; sale $39 | Not confirmed | Yes | State test |
| Coastline Academy | $60'California Drivers Ed Online', DMV certificate included; MSRP from the page data (roundups quote lower promo … | CA DMV license E2115 | Not confirmed | State test |
| MyCaliforniaPermit.com | $65Ages 15-18; includes DMV certificate of completion, unlimited tests until passing, DMV practice tests, certifi… | Shows a 'California DMV Approved' badge | Not confirmed | State test |
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