Driver’s Education

Driver’s education can be taken as a 2.5 unit semester course with iLEAD. There are five straightforward steps to teens getting their driver’s license:

STEP 1: Take a Driver’s Education Course
These courses can be taken online or in a class setting. They provide a foundation for your driver’s training and prepare the driver to be behind the wheel. In the state of California, you need to be at least 15 years old to enroll in one of these courses. When the course is complete, you will receive a pink certificate of completion in the mail. It is important to hold onto this document as the DMV will require it to prove successful completion of the course.

We have two vendors that offer driver’s education courses: AA Teen Driving Academy (Orange County) and 1 Driving School Website (Los Angeles).

STEP 2: Get Your Learner’s Permit
Once you complete your driver’s education course and you receive the certificate of completion, you are ready to make an appointment at the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a learner’s permit at the age of 15 1/2. You must pass the written driver’s test and a vision test to get your permit. It is important to study your driver’s handbook or get an app to study for the written driver’s test. On the day of the written test, don’t forget to bring your birth certificate, social security number, and certificate of completion from your driving school to the DMV.

STEP 3: Complete Behind-the-Wheel Training
After you receive your learner’s permit, you are ready for behind-the-wheel training. This is the practical portion of your driver training. You must complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training with an instructor.

STEP 4: 50 Hours of Practice

Two hours with an instructor must be completed before you are legally allowed to drive with an adult over the age 25. You must complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice with an adult 25 years or older before taking your behind-the-wheel driving test at the age of 16 (ten of the hours must be driven at night).

STEP 5: Apply for Your Driver’s License

The final step to obtaining a driver’s license is passing a driving test. You will need to make an appointment at the DMV for a behind-the-wheel driving test. Be sure to make the appointment far in advance as they can be booked a few months out.

Be sure the bring the correct paperwork with you to the appointment:

• Proof of Driver’s Ed and Behind-the-Wheel Training Completion
• Your Learner’s Permit (signed by a parent/guardian)
• Valid Vehicle Registration
• Proof of Insurance
• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Number
• Application from DMV (both parents must sign)