Palm Desert driving schools at a glance
Compare Palm Desert driving schools
Looking wider? Every Riverside County price, compared in one table.
| School | Current license since | 6-hr price | Per hour | DMV test car | Pickup | Languages | Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1Millers Driving AcademyLic. E2243 | 20196 yrs | 4.9★177 reviews | $660 | $110 | Yes | unknown | English · Spanish | Mon-Fri 9 AM - 5:30 PM · Sat-Sun Closed |
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 business entity shows the newer date, so it is a license-record fact, not years in business. Prices and hours are as stated on each school's own website or listing and change without notice; confirm before booking. Per hour = stated package price divided by package hours.
Millers Driving Academy
Millers Driving Academy is a family-owned school founded in 1963 at 75-161 Sego Ln, Suite F-10, Palm Desert, serving the Coachella Valley from the low desert to Yucca Valley, with Spanish-speaking instructors and in-office notary services. Teens take four 1.5-hour private lessons for $660 ($710 with online drivers ed), adults pay $150 per hour, and a DMV test car rental with a 45-minute refresher costs $200.
No schools match those filters.
License data from CA DMV public records; verify independently. Online-only providers licensed in Palm Desert are excluded here because they don't offer local in-person lessons. Spot something wrong? Report an issue with a listing.
More driving schools near Palm Desert
Palm Desert has one licensed school, so most families also compare these DMV-licensed schools in neighboring cities, listed nearest first with straight-line distance from Palm Desert.
| School | City | Distance | Current license since | 6-hr price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibbs Driving SchoolLic. E2652 | La Quinta | 4.7 mi | 198343 yrs | under 5 reviews | $600 |
Distances are straight-line from the Palm Desert listing; driving time varies. Each linked city page compares every licensed school there.
What behind-the-wheel lessons cost in Palm Desert
California requires teens to complete 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel instruction. Palm Desert's licensed school lists the 6-hour package at $660, about $110 per hour. It provides a car for the DMV road test, usually as a separate add-on. The 30-hour drivers ed course that earns the learner's permit is a separate cost; online it is $44.99.
How a teen gets licensed in Palm Desert
- At 15 and a half, finish the DMV-approved 30-hour drivers ed course. Online it is $44.99 and self-paced; it earns the certificate the DMV needs for a permit.
- Book a permit appointment at the Palm Desert DMV or Indio DMV office, bring the drivers ed certificate, proof of identity and residency, and pass the 46-question knowledge test.
- Hold the permit at least 6 months and log 50 hours of supervised practice, 10 of them at night.
- Complete 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel with a DMV-licensed school in or near Palm Desert (compare the listings above).
- Book the road test at the Palm Desert DMV or Indio DMV office; several local schools rent a car for the test if the family car is not suitable.
Teen driver? Start here
Behind-the-wheel comes after drivers ed.
California teens 15½ to 17½ need the DMV-approved 30-hour course first. That is what earns the permit these lessons require.
How to choose a driving school in Palm Desert
- Confirm the school's DMV license is active (verify link on every listing) and note how long the current license has been held
- Ask whether the price includes the full 6 hours behind-the-wheel, and what a DMV test car costs on top
- Check pickup and drop-off from home or school, and how lessons are scheduled (2-hour blocks are typical)
- Compare Google ratings against review count; a 4.9 from 200 reviews says more than a 5.0 from 6
- Ask about instructor experience, dual-brake vehicles and lessons in your language if needed
- For teens: finish drivers ed first so the permit is in hand before the first lesson
Palm Desert driving school FAQ
- How many DMV-licensed driving schools are there in Palm Desert?
- 1. Every school listed here holds an active California DMV occupational license and teaches behind-the-wheel in person; Riverside County as a whole has about 19. Because Palm Desert has a single licensed school, the page also lists the 1 nearest licensed schools in neighboring cities, with distances.
- How much do behind-the-wheel lessons cost in Palm Desert?
- Palm Desert's licensed school lists the 6-hour behind-the-wheel package at $660, roughly $110 per hour. A car for the DMV road test is usually a separate add-on. The 30-hour drivers ed course that earns the permit is a separate cost; online it is $44.99.
- Where do I take my driving test near Palm Desert?
- The nearest DMV field offices are Palm Desert DMV (74-740 Technology Drive, Palm Desert 92211, about 3.0 miles from the center of Palm Desert) and Indio DMV (44480 Jackson St, Indio 92201, about 8.0 miles from the center of Palm Desert). Knowledge and road tests are by appointment at dmv.ca.gov.
- Which Palm Desert driving school has held its DMV license the longest?
- Millers Driving Academy, whose current DMV license dates from 2019. That is the date the DMV issued the license the school holds today; a school that re-licensed under a new owner shows the newer date, so treat it as a license-record fact rather than years in business.
- Do I need drivers ed before behind-the-wheel lessons in Palm Desert?
- Teens 15 and a half to 17 and a half do. California requires a DMV-approved 30-hour drivers ed course before the learner's permit, then 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel instruction from a licensed school like the ones above, plus 50 hours of supervised practice. Adults 18 and over can book behind-the-wheel lessons directly. The online drivers ed course is $44.99.