FAQs

Driver’s Education FAQ’s

What is Driver’s Education?

Driver’s Education is the first step to receiving your permit if you are between the ages of 15-17 ½. This class MUST be completed before you go to the DMV to take your Permit Test.

What’s the difference between In-Class Driver’s Ed and Online Driver’s Education?

Our In-Class Driver’s Education course is our most popular class with the highest passing rate. It is held at our office and is an intensive program taught by an instructor. Students go over Minor’s Regulations, What to Bring to the DMV for your Permit Test, Road Regulations, Accident Information, Traffic signs, Traffic Lights, Lines on the Road, Left turn and U-turn rules, Driving in Various Weather Conditions, DUI Information, Drive Test Information, they watch two 20-25min Driving Regulation movies and must complete and pass several written tests to have them prepared for the DMV Permit Test. Students will receive their Driver’s Education Completion Certificate at the end of class to take to the DMV for their Permit Test. Class size is limited to 6 students and is held on weekends or every day during school breaks (Ex: Spring, Summer, and Winter break) from 9am-3pm.

Online Driver’s Education is a course you take via our website, there are several chapters, video clips and a final exam. You may log in and out as often as you like and will be mailed a Driver’s Education Completion Certificate once you pass the final exam.

My child needs a little extra help in the classroom. What do you suggest for Driver’s Ed?

If your child has a school aid or certain accommodations for handouts or tests, please let our office know so we may recommend the best option for your child. Usually, since our In-Class Driver’s Ed is limited to only 6 students, we always recommend the In-Class course as opposed to the Online course. The In-Class Driver’s Education course allows students to ask questions and receive further explanations to certain regulations that may not be clear in the DMV Handbook. However, if the Instructor notices they’re having a hard time following along during class or perhaps needs detailed assistance during the test portion of the curriculum, we recommend our One-on-One Driver’s Education add-on. Please call our office for further details.

What are the steps for a minor to get a Permit/License?
  1. If you or your child are between the ages of 15-17 ½, the first step is to complete a Driver’s Education program and receive a Driver’s Education Completion Certificate. This certificate is given to the DMV on the day of your Permit Test to show completion of the class and will allow you to take your Permit Test.
  2. Once you pass your Permit Test, you must begin Driver’s Training. A minimum of 6hrs of Behind-the-Wheel Driver’s Training is required with a driving school and 50hrs of behind-the-wheel Driver’s Training is required by a licensed Parent or Guardian over the age of 25. Once the 6hrs of Driver’s Training is complete, the student will receive a Driver’s Training Completion Certificate. *Note: The first lesson MUST be with a Driving School Instructor as we must sign the permit to make it valid*.
  3. The DMV gives each minor 6 months to complete their required Driver’s Training. Once the 6-month waiting period is over, you are now eligible for your Behind-the-Wheel DMV Drive Test. You MUST take your 6hr completion certificate and permit with you on the day of your Drive Test.
I just want my Permit, can I only purchase Driver’s Ed?

Yes, you can purchase Driver’s Education only, but you will eventually have to purchase Driver’s Training separately in order to validate your permit and to take your Drive Test. We offer packages that include both Driver’s Ed and Training at a discount. Who doesn’t like a discount? Remember, your permit isn’t valid until you have your first driving lesson with a Driving School Instructor.

What’s the difference between Driver’s Education and Driver’s Training?

Driver’s Education is a class required for minors (15-17 ½ yrs. old) where they learn the rules of the road. Driver’s Training is behind-the-wheel driving instruction (aka: driving lessons).

What do I need to take to the DMV for my Permit Test?

If you’ve completed Online Driver’s Ed, you will be mailed your completion certificate and a checklist of all the things you need to bring to the DMV. If you’ve completed In-Class Driver’s Education, then you would have covered each individual item to bring to the DMV within the first 20 minutes of class and should have the checklist in your folder. But just in case, here’s a handy pdf of the checklist.

Driver’s Training FAQ’s

What’s the difference between Driver’s Education and Driver’s Training?

Driver’s Education is a class required for minors (15-17 ½ yrs. old) where they learn the rules of the road. Driver’s Training is behind-the-wheel driving instruction (aka: driving lessons).

How many hours of driving do I need?

That depends if you’re a minor, adult or a senior. If you’re a minor, you must complete at least 6hrs with a driving school and 50hrs with a licensed parent or guardian over 25, meaning the parent/guardian does the bulk of the training. We have larger packages of driving lessons to help assist in those hours in case the parent/guardian cannot complete the hours.

If you’re an adult, it depends on how much you know and need work on to get you prepared for your Drive Test. If you’re a first-time driver, you will most likely need a package to start with. Your Driving Instructor will let you know during your lessons if you may need more training based on how well you progress during the lessons.

If you’re a senior and need to retake your Drive Test, it is best to start with one lesson for evaluation and  your Driving Instructor will let you know if you need more lessons. If you have a case number and are working with the DMV- Department of Safety, we can help with that too.

Do you pick up and drop off for the driving lessons?

Yes, we pick up and drop off from school, home, or work Monday-Sunday. However, there are certain areas that require an additional fee or closer pick-up location due to their distance from our home base (Ex: Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Marina Del Rey, Encino, Tarzana, Burbank, Inglewood, etc.). If you want to confirm if we service your area without an additional fee or a closer pick-up location you may call our office to confirm.

Are there other students/people in the car during the driving lesson?

We only offer private one-on-one instruction for our driving lessons. However, sometimes we may have a Driving Instructor Trainee to observe a lesson. This situation is rare, but if you would like to make a note on your file to not have observation of a trainee, simply call our office and we will add the note.

This is my first lesson, where do I drive?

This depends on where you are located. Typically, we start in residential areas until the instructor feels you are ready for a major street. If you live in the hills/canyons, we will drive you to your closest flat residential area to begin practice.

What if it’s raining, are the lessons cancelled?

Our lessons are held rain or shine. Though rain is uncommon in Los Angeles, we do not cancel classes due to rain. It is beneficial to learn how to drive in all weather conditions, especially when you can have an instructor advising you throughout the lesson.

Is freeway driving covered during my lessons?

Your Driving Instructor will decide based on your driving progress when you are ready for freeway driving. Each student starts at different levels, if you’ve never driven before and it is your first lesson, we do not cover freeway driving as we have other more important things to go over first. Each driving lesson is customized based on your driving experience. You may always request freeway driving when scheduling and we will advise your instructor. There is no extra fee.

Can I use my vehicle for the driving lesson?

Our driving lessons are held in company vehicles that have additional gas and brake on the passenger side for our Driving Instructors. We do have some instructors that allow instruction in student’s own vehicles, but the instructor must approve that the student doesn’t require the assistance of the additional pedals first. There is an additional fee.

Do you take me to the DMV for the Drive Test?

We absolutely can! If your Driving Instructor feels that you are ready for your Drive Test, we can schedule your Drive Test appointment with the DMV of your choice and reserve our Drive Test service with your Instructor. Our Drive Test service includes practice time with your instructor and usage of our vehicle for your test. Please check our Drive Test service fees section for further information.

What are the service areas?
Hollywood, West Hollywood, East Hollywood, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Koreatown, Los Feliz, Silverlake, Atwater Village, Downtown LA, Mid City, South LA, Leimert Park, West Adams, Baldwin Hills, Culver City, Mar Vista, Marina Del Rey*, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Westwood, Pacific Palisades*, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Hollywood Hills, The Canyons (Benedict, Coldwater, and Laurel), Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Valley Village, Valley Glen, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Glendale, and Burbank*
* Out-of-area distance fee/closer meet-up location

Contact us to enroll today!

Now, Let's Get into Action and hit the road, safely with Melrose Driving School.