Chico California Driver's Education Course

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  • Free practice tests to ace your California DMV permit test with ease.
  • Mobile-friendly, study anywhere for your California driver's license.
  • Get your certificate fast - shipped free to Chico!
  • Guaranteed pass for your California driver's license exam, no extra fees.
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$24.95
Limited time offer. Regular price $49.95
14 - 17 ½ y.o.
Mandatory for a permit / license
Pass guarantee
Pass the course or get your money back
Getting Your California Driver's License in Chico
Ready to drive in Chico, California? Follow these straightforward steps to obtain your California driver's license, crafted for young drivers living in the Chico area. Learn about driver education, local DMV offices, and driving tips to help you succeed.

Meet the Minimum Age Requirement

To start your journey, you need to be at least 15 years old. At this age, you're eligible to begin the California drivers ed course, which provides essential training in California driving laws and safety rules.

Enroll in California Drivers Ed

Complete a California drivers ed course, which includes 30 hours of instruction covering California traffic laws, vehicle operation, and road safety. You can complete this course online at your own pace, making it easy to fit into your schedule. Upon completion, you'll receive a Certificate of Completion (DL 400C), which you'll need to take the DMV test.

Prepare for the Permit Test

To ace your California permit test, read the California DMV handbook, and take a California permit test practice online. The permit practice test will help familiarize you with the test's 46 multiple-choice questions. This is a great way to understand the test structure and make sure you're ready to visit the DMV.

Apply for Your California Learners Permit

When you're at least 15½ years old, have completed drivers ed, and are ready for the permit knowledge test, make an appointment at the Chico DMV, located at 107 Parmac Rd #1. You'll need to bring:

  • Your DL 44 form signed by a parent or guardian
  • Your driver's ed Certificate of Completion
  • Proof of identity (e.g., birth certificate)
  • Your Social Security number
  • Proof of residency

If you'd prefer, you may also take the California driver's permit test online, with permission from your parent or guardian. If you do, you'll still need to visit the DMV for other parts of the application, like the vision test and payment.

Pass the Permit Test

At the DMV, you'll complete a vision test and pay the fee to apply for your California permit DMV. Then, you'll take the written permit knowledge test, which has 46 questions. You need to score at least 80% to pass, meaning you'll need 38 correct answers.

Start Behind-the-Wheel Training

Before you can begin practicing with a supervising adult, complete two hours of driving training with a certified instructor. Once your instructor signs your California learners permit, you can start practicing with an adult. Continue taking California behind the wheel drivers training until you complete the required six hours. Chico has several driving schools, and our course can connect you with one to help fulfill this requirement.

Complete Your Supervised Driving Practice

In addition to your professional driving lessons, you'll need to log 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night. The California Parent-Teen Driving Guide can help you structure these hours effectively. Logging your practice hours helps ensure you're fully prepared for the California DMV driving test.

Observe Permit Restrictions

As a permit holder, you must always drive with a licensed adult aged 25 or older. Since you're in Chico, consider using your supervised practice time to get familiar with the nearby highways and roads, as well as the city's unique driving routes.

Hold Your Permit for Six Months

To qualify for a provisional license, you need to hold your California learners permit for at least six months. This waiting period provides valuable time for driving practice.

Schedule Your California DMV Driving Test

After six months, once you're at least 16 years old and have completed the required hours, make an appointment at the Chico DMV for your California DMV driving test. Bring:

  • Your signed provisional permit
  • A certificate of completion for professional driving lessons
  • Your California drivers ed Certificate of Completion

The driving test includes a pre-drive safety check and an evaluation of your driving skills, including lane changes, stops, turns, and traffic awareness.

Receive Your California Provisional License

After passing the California driving test, you'll receive a provisional license, allowing you to drive independently but with some restrictions, such as no driving between 11 PM and 5 AM and no passengers under 20 without a supervising adult. Enjoy your new independence responsibly as you drive through Chico and nearby areas like Bidwell Park.

When you turn 18, your provisional license will convert into a full, unrestricted California drivers license, allowing you to explore all the unique places Chico offers with full freedom.

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Recommended by leading driver safety & consumer protection organizations

Chico Drivers Ed: Online vs. Classroom

Discover the Best Way to Earn Your California Driver's License in Chico

California Drivers Ed Online DMV Approved

Flexible, Convenient, and Designed for Chico Residents

$24.95
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If you're looking to earn your California driver's license without the hassle of commuting or scheduling, the online California drivers ed course is the perfect solution. Specifically tailored for Chico residents, this online option offers flexibility, convenience, and local DMV-focused preparation, all from the comfort of your home.

With Chico's traffic and parking challenges, you can avoid unnecessary travel and learn at your own pace. The online course allows you to:

  • Get expert help from instructors via chat, email, or video for any questions.
  • Save on gas and commuting costs, eliminating the need to travel around town.
  • Revisit lessons and quizzes anytime, ensuring you are well-prepared for the California DMV written test.

Additionally, this online course prepares you for the California drivers permit practice test with up-to-date content from the California DMV handbook, designed to help you succeed on your first attempt.

Join thousands of Chico students who have chosen this modern, flexible path to obtaining their California learners permit and getting ready for the California DMV test - without ever leaving home.

Classroom Drivers Ed Course in Chico

Traditional Learning, but Less Convenient for Chico Residents

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While traditional classroom drivers ed courses used to be the standard, they may no longer suit the fast-paced, busy lifestyle of many Chico residents. Unlike the online course, a classroom setting requires strict schedules that can be difficult to manage, especially if you live in different areas of Chico with commuting challenges.

In a classroom course, you face several drawbacks:

  • Limited accommodations for students with special needs or unique learning preferences.
  • Commuting time to and from class, which adds extra hours to your day.
  • Missed classes are harder to make up, making it difficult to stay on track if you can't attend a session.

For Chico residents, dealing with traffic and limited parking just adds more stress to the process. With no option to review lessons or prepare for the California DMV written test at your own pace, traditional learning may feel restrictive compared to the flexibility of the online drivers ed course.

By choosing the online drivers ed class, you can skip the hassles of commuting and scheduling while still receiving expert guidance and passing your DMV permit test with ease.

DMV Offices Near You
Your Guide to DMV Locations in Chico

Chico DMV

107 Parmac Rd #1, Chico, CA 95926

3.9(381)
Chico's Trusted California Drivers Ed
Fast, Engaging & DMV-Approved for Chico Students
Stay Updated, Drive Smart
Chico's streets and California's driving laws change quickly, and this California drivers education course keeps you in the know with regularly updated content. Master the latest rules and regulations so you're fully prepared for the California DMV test. Learn all you need to ace the California DMV permit test and navigate Chico's roads confidently.
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Learn With Fun, Interactive Tools
Chico students can benefit from engaging videos, quizzes, and animations that bring learning to life. Each module is designed to keep you focused and make understanding the California DMV handbook a breeze, helping you get ready for the California DMV knowledge test while staying engaged every step of the way.
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Flexible Learning, Anytime
Take your California drivers ed course on any device, whether you're at home in Chico or studying on the go. Compatible with computers, tablets, and smartphones, our course lets you prepare for your California DMV permit test wherever you are, adapting to your schedule so you can learn on your terms.
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Chico Driver's Ed & California Licensing Guide
Essential FAQs for New Drivers in Chico and Beyond
When can you start drivers ed in California?

In California, you can start drivers ed as soon as you turn 15. This gives you time to complete the required 30-hour course before applying for your learner's permit at 15½. Getting an early start allows you to be well-prepared for the California DMV test when you're eligible to take it.

How long is drivers ed online?

Our online California drivers ed course is 30 hours long, aligning with state DMV requirements. This includes reading materials, videos, and interactive activities. Students can progress at their own pace, logging in and out as needed.

How long does it take for the drivers ed certificate to arrive?

After completing our online drivers ed, your Certificate of Completion will be mailed via USPS, typically arriving within 3-5 business days. If you need it faster, expedited delivery options are available for an additional fee.

After completing drivers ed, what do I do?

Once you finish drivers ed, you can apply for a learner's permit at the DMV if you're at least 15½ years old. Be sure to bring your Certificate of Completion, proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency documentation. Passing the California DMV test is the next step before you start practicing on the road with a licensed adult.

What does CDE stand for in drivers ed?

CDE stands for Certificate of Driver Education. This certificate, issued after successfully completing a DMV-approved drivers ed course, is required for teens under 18 to apply for a learner's permit in California.

When do you get your license in California?

If you're under 18, you can apply for a California provisional license after holding your learner's permit for six months, completing 50 hours of supervised driving (10 hours at night), and finishing six hours of behind-the-wheel training. The minimum age to get a provisional license is 16. Once you turn 18, the provisional license restrictions are lifted, and it becomes a full driver's license.

How long to study for the permit test?

Preparation time for the permit test varies, but many students find that a few weeks of regular study, focusing on the California DMV handbook and taking permit practice tests, helps them feel ready. Aim to cover all traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices to ensure you're fully prepared for the test.

How long does drivers training take?

For teens under 18, California requires six hours of professional behind-the-wheel drivers training with a certified instructor. This training is typically spread across three sessions, helping new drivers gain essential road skills and prepare for the DMV driving test.

Do you offer drivers ed in areas beyond Chico?

Yes, we provide drivers ed to students not only in Chico but throughout California, including nearby Butte County. We also serve areas such as Fresno, Oceanside, Pleasanton, Monterey Park, Thousand Oaks, Temecula, Pasadena, Santa Ana, Alameda, Lancaster, Glendora, Hesperia, and Lake Elsinore. Our online course makes it easy for students across the state to access quality drivers education.

Is the learner's permit test timed?

Yes, the California DMV permit test is timed. You'll have enough time to answer all questions at a comfortable pace, but be sure to review thoroughly and take practice tests beforehand. Remember to stay calm and focus on each question carefully.

How often can you do driving school?

You can complete drivers ed only once for certification. However, if you need additional practice or a refresher, you can take supplementary driving classes at any time. This can be particularly helpful if you want extra preparation before the California DMV behind-the-wheel test.

Can you get a license without drivers ed?

If you are under 18, completing a drivers ed course is mandatory in California. For those 18 or older, drivers ed is optional, but passing the written knowledge test and driving test at the DMV is still required. Many adults find that taking drivers ed helps them prepare for these tests, especially if they are new to driving in California. 

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