Online Driver’s Ed in California: Key Things to Know

Ready to start your journey to becoming a licensed driver? If you’re under 18 and live in California, you must first complete California Driver’s Ed (DE). This 30-hour training program covers the right-of-way rules, speed limits, vehicle control, and everything else you should know before hitting the road. 

Taking the course online is the most flexible and convenient way to do it. Here’s why you should consider online driver’s ed in California, what to look for, and how to get started. 

Online Driver’s Ed: The First Step to Getting Your Provisional License

In California, teenagers can start driver’s education at age 15 and a half. Generally, 10th-grade students may register earlier if their high schools permit it and offers these classes. However, their courses have a fixed schedule and cannot be completed online. 

If you’re 15-and-a-half to 17-and-a-half years old, you must complete driver’s ed to obtain your instruction permit, or pink slip. Without this document, you can’t apply for a California learner’s permit and practice driving. 

Here’s how it works: 

1. Complete 30 hours of driver’s education online or in person.
2. Obtain a pink slip (your driving school will issue this document after you finish the course).
3. Create a MyDMV account and fill out Form DL44 
4. Schedule an appointment with the DMV. Once there, follow these steps: 
   • Bring your pink slip and form DL44 (signed by a parent or legal guardian).
   • Submit your Social Security Number (SSN) and a valid ID card or proof of identity and residency.
   • Have your photo taken.
   • Provide your thumbprint.
   • Pass a vision exam.
   • Take and pass a 46-question knowledge test. We recommend practicing as many driver’s ed test questions as possible. (And yes, you can take your permit test online.)
5. Get your learner’s permit (provisional instruction permit). 
6. Start driver’s training (DT), which requires 50+ hours of behind-the-wheel practice. 
7. Schedule and take a road test. 
8. Obtain your provisional license (if you’re under 18) or permanent driver’s license (if you’re 18+). 

Note that you must hold your learner’s permit for at least six months before taking the road test. 

Why Take Driver’s Ed Online?

Online and in-person driver’s ed programs cover the same topics, but online driver’s ed tends to be faster and more convenient. Here are some of the key advantages. 

Benefits of Online Driver’s Ed

• Study anytime, anywhere: Complete coursework on your own schedule from any device, including smartphones. 
• Learn at your own pace: Go through each lesson at your own pace. At Traffic Safety Institute, you can pause, rewind, or review the course materials as often as you need. 
• Save and resume: Want to grab a snack or do your homework? Pause the course with one click and pick up where you left off. 
• No commute: Online driver’s ed courses are accessible from any device connected to the internet. You can study from home or on the go without having to commute. 
• Cost-effective: Online programs cost less than classroom instruction because they don’t require on-site instructors, physical space, or printed materials. (Learn more in How Much Does Driver’s Ed Cost in California?)
• Immediate availability: Start learning whenever it suits you without waiting for a class to open. 
• Interactive content: Many online schools prioritize student engagement, offering videos, animations, practice tests, quizzes, and simulations to keep things interesting

Read: How to Pass Driver’s Ed

Online California Driver’s Ed Course Details

Driver’s education helps you gain the knowledge needed to operate a motor vehicle. It consists of several lessons, or modules, covering topics like:

• California traffic laws
• Rules of the road 
• Safe driving practices
• Driving maneuvers (e.g., turning, passing, parking)
• Hazard awareness
• Distracted and impaired driving
• Sharing the road
• Driver responsibilities 
• Emergency procedures

For example, you’ll learn how to drive in rain, fog, or snow. The course will also teach you how to change lanes, parallel park, make a U-turn, and more. 

The lessons include text, images, and 100+ minutes of video content. After each module, you must take and pass a short quiz to move on to the next lesson. 

At Traffic Safety Institute, our course ends with a 25-question exam. To pass, you must score 70% or higher. 99.9% of our students pass on their first attempt, but if you don’t, you can retake the test as many times as needed until you succeed. 

Read: How California Driver’s Ed Works

How Long Does Online Driver’s Ed Take in California?

How long is driving school in California? It takes around 36 hours. The theoretical part requires 30 hours of classroom time, while driver’s training requires at least six hours of behind-the-wheel practice. This doesn’t include the mandatory 50 hours of supervised driving practice that you’ll need to prepare for your behind-the-wheel test. 

The 30-hour requirement applies to online driver’s ed courses, too, but you can study at your own pace. Our students can access the learning materials from any device and take breaks without losing progress. 

How Much Does Online Driver’s Ed Cost in California?

California driver’s ed courses cost around $55 to $90 or more, depending on: 

• The course provider
• What’s included 
• Course format and features 
• Bundled services 
• Language options

Be aware that some course providers have hidden fees and charge extra for downloadable certificates, unlimited retakes, or 24/7 support. At Traffic Safety Institute, our flat fee of only $29.99 covers these services and other perks. What you see is what you get!

How to Choose the Best Online Driver’s Ed

Think online driver’s ed might be for you? Finding the best driver’s education program isn’t easy, given the many options out there. You also need to consider your schedule and learning preferences. 

Here are some factors to think about when choosing an online driver’s ed course: 

Make Sure It’s DMV-Approved

Select a course provider licensed by the California DMV. If the school isn’t state-approved, your certificate won’t be valid, and you’ll have to start over. 

Use the DMV’s Occupational License Lookup tool to find an approved provider. If you already have one in mind, make sure it holds an active license. 

Check What’s Included

Some driving schools go the extra mile to ensure a smooth learning experience, while others meet the bare minimum. With that in mind, inquire about the study materials, practice tests, and perks like audio lessons, unlimited retakes, or 24/7 support. 

Our California driver’s ed course includes free audio read-alongs and unlimited attempts to pass. We also offer an instant electronic certificate copy, same-day submission to the court and DMV, and other extras. 

Review the User Interface

Make sure the course platform is intuitive and user-friendly. If possible, request a demo, videos, or screenshots before you sign up. Also, check whether the system automatically saves your progress so you can pick up where you left off. 

Check Customer Support Availability

Choose a driving school that provides support around the clock. Ideally, you should be able to contact them via multiple channels, including live chat. This ensures you’ll have your questions answered in real time and get help quickly if something goes wrong.

Compare Prices

California driver’s ed cost is a key factor in deciding which course to take. Some driver’s ed courses are overpriced, while others cost next to nothing. Shop around, compare multiple programs, and choose one that checks all the boxes without breaking the bank. We’re one of the few online schools that charge an all-inclusive flat fee.

Consider the School’s Reputation

Look up the driving schools you’re interested in. Check the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, Yelp, or other platforms featuring customer reviews and testimonials. See how students feel about the learning materials, customer service, quality of instruction, and content delivery. 

Traffic Safety Institute has thousands of positive California driver’s ed reviews from students like you. Most customers find our course engaging, helpful, and easy to follow. 

We’re so confident in the quality of our driver’s education program that you are guaranteed to pass! Start driver’s ed with Traffic Safety Institute. (And be sure to use our California driver’s ed promo code!)

FAQs about Online Driver’s Ed

Is there anything else you want to know about online driver’s ed? Below are the answers to some commonly asked questions.