Every behind-the-wheel driving school in California must hold an occupational license from the DMV, and the DMV publishes who holds one. This directory starts from that public record: each school page shows the license number, the date the current license was issued, and a link to confirm it on the DMV lookup yourself. On top of the license facts we add what families actually compare, Google ratings and review counts, the price each school states for the 6-hour package California requires for teens, whether the school rents a car for the road test, pickup, languages and hours.
Coverage is building out county by county, starting with Riverside County and the Inland Empire. Pick a county or city below to compare every licensed school there side by side, or open a school page for its full record. Teens need the DMV-approved 30-hour drivers ed course before any of this; that course is what Traffic Safety Institute teaches online (DMV license E0333), and every page here links to it.
California driving schools at a glance
Browse by county
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Every city with at least one DMV-licensed behind-the-wheel school has its own comparison page.
Longest-held DMV licenses among listed schools
| School | City | Current license since | 6-hr price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1Nellies Driving SchoolLic. E2529 | Moreno Valley | 198145 yrs | 4.9★34 reviews | call |
| #2Gibbs Driving SchoolLic. E2652 | La Quinta | 198343 yrs | under 5 reviews | $600 |
| #3A 1 Driving SchoolLic. E3225 | Corona | 199432 yrs | 4.7★18 reviews | call |
| #4La Excel Driving SchoolLic. E3358 | Wildomar | 199530 yrs | 4.4★13 reviews | $425 |
| #5Motorpro Driving SchoolLic. E4006 | Hemet | 200323 yrs | 3.3★12 reviews | $466 |
| #6Raasveld Instructional ServicesLic. E4106 | Hemet | 200422 yrs | 4.2★46 reviews | $385 |
| #7Active Driving SchoolLic. E4479 | Corona | 201016 yrs | 4.9★48 reviews | $375 |
| #8Handicap Driver TrainingLic. E4482 | Corona | 201016 yrs | 4.6★12 reviews | call |
Current license since = the date the California DMV issued the school's current occupational license (public record). A school that re-licensed under a new owner or entity shows the newer date, so it is a license-record fact, not years in business.
Highest-rated listed schools on Google (20 or more reviews)
| School | City | Current license since | 6-hr price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Academic Driving School LLC | Temecula | 5.0★59 reviews | 2026 | $399 |
| Freeway Driving School | Riverside | 4.9★207 reviews | 2011 | call |
| Millers Driving Academy | Palm Desert | 4.9★168 reviews | 2019 | $660 |
| Active Driving School | Corona | 4.9★48 reviews | 2010 | $375 |
| Nellies Driving School | Moreno Valley | 4.9★34 reviews | 1981 | call |
| Kenzie Driving School | Lake Elsinore | 4.8★194 reviews | 2019 | $510 |
Ratings and review counts from Google at the last monthly refresh; a 4.9 from 200 reviews says more than a 5.0 from 6.
How to use this directory
- Start with your city page: every licensed school there in one table, sortable by rating, tenure or price
- Open a school page for the full DMV record, hours, extras, a comparison with its neighbours and a FAQ
- Use the verify link on every listing to confirm the license on the DMV's own lookup before paying a deposit
- Teens: finish drivers ed first so the permit is in hand before the first behind-the-wheel lesson
California driving school FAQ
- What does "DMV-licensed" mean for a driving school?
- Every behind-the-wheel school in California must hold an occupational license from the DMV. It is the state's proof the school is authorised to teach, carries insurance and uses approved vehicles and instructors. This directory lists only schools whose license shows as active in the DMV's public registry, and each page links to the DMV lookup so you can confirm it yourself.
- Which parts of California does the directory cover?
- The directory currently covers 20 licensed schools across 1 county and 11 cities, all in Riverside County and the Inland Empire, and expands county by county.
- How much does behind-the-wheel training cost in California?
- Among listed schools that publish a price, the 6-hour teen package runs $375 to $660 (median $466). A car for the DMV road test is usually extra. The 30-hour drivers ed course that earns the permit is separate; online it is $32.99.
- Which listed school has held its DMV license the longest?
- Nellies Driving School in Moreno Valley, whose current DMV license dates from 1981. The date is when the DMV issued the license the school holds today, so a school that re-licensed under a new entity shows the newer date.
- What does a California teen need before behind-the-wheel lessons?
- At 15 and a half: a DMV-approved 30-hour drivers ed course (online, $32.99), then a learner's permit from the DMV, then 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel instruction and 50 hours of supervised practice before the road test at 16 or later.
- How is the data collected and how often is it checked?
- License numbers, status and issue dates come from the California DMV Occupational License Lookup and are re-pulled monthly. Ratings and hours come from Google. Prices and services are as stated on each school's own website and can change without notice. Owners can claim a listing to correct it.
License data from CA DMV public records; ratings and hours from Google; prices as stated by each school. Verify independently.