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California teen permit: the online driver's ed you need first

California teens must finish 30 hours of driver education before the permit test, and the classroom part can be done online. These are the courses providers say are approved, cheapest first.

Prices and features checked September 27, 2026 on each provider's own site.

California doesn't publish a list of approved online courses, so approval here is as each provider states it. Check the license number in the DMV's own lookup before you pay.

California rules at a glance

Who needs it
Teens under 17½ applying for a permit. 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 to do, in order

  1. Finish a 30-hour driver education course (online or in a classroom) and keep the certificate of completion.
  2. Book the 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driver training with a licensed driving school. Online courses don't include it.
  3. Take the permit test at the DMV. Course providers can't give it in California.
  4. Bring the certificates to the DMV when you apply.

Approved online courses

  1. National Highway Safety Administration

    30-hour driver education · $21.95

    • DriverZ

      30-hour driver education · $24.95

      • American Safety Council

        30-hour driver education · $24.95

        • California Drivers Ed Course

          30-hour driver education · $24.95

          • All Good Drivers

            30-hour driver education · $29

            • iDriveSafely

              30-hour driver education · $34.95

              • Safe2Drive

                30-hour driver education · $34.95

                • Aceable

                  30-hour driver education · $49

                  • Get Drivers Ed

                    30-hour driver education · $54.99

                    • DriversEd.com

                      30-hour driver education · $59

                      • Coastline Academy

                        30-hour driver education · $60

                        • MyCaliforniaPermit.com

                          30-hour driver education · $65

                          Rank every California course with these answers →

                          How we picked

                          A course is listed only if it's approved in that state and its own website confirms a California teen course. They're sorted by price, including any fee the provider adds. See how we rank.

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