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1. What is online California drivers education?

Basically, our online California drivers education class is an online class that teaches you the rules of the road and safe driving skills. So, you ultimately know everything you need to pass your DMV learners permit test.

Keep reading for more details ...

In California, if you're between 15 ½ and 17 ½ years old and want to earn a license, you need to take drivers training. California drivers training has two parts—a drivers education theory class and in-car driving lessons.

Our course is the theory portion of drivers training—taught completely online. When you're done with our online drivers education course, you're ready to start the second part of drivers training—in-car driving lessons.

2. Exactly how do I earn my California drivers license?

In short, there are five steps to earning a California drivers license:

  • Take a DMV-approved California drivers education theory class (like ours).
  • Sign up for in-car driving lessons. (Notice we didn't say 'Start' in-car driving lessons.)
  • Because before you can start those driving lessons, you need to take the California DMV written permit test and earn a learners permit.
  • Once you have a learners permit, you're ready to start in-car driving lessons and practice driving with a parent.
  • Finally, take a DMV driving skills test to earn your license!

Want more information? Continue on for a more detailed explanation ...

  1. Start by taking a DMV-approved California drivers education theory class.

    If you're under 17 ½, to earn a California drivers license, you first need to take a DMV-approved, 30-hour California drivers education course (like our online drivers ed course).

  2. Sign up for in-car driving lessons.

    After you're done with California drivers education, it's time to sign up for in-car driving lessons with a licensed driving school. Note: you don't actually start those driving lessons until after you earn a learners permit. Confused? Keep reading ... we'll explain everything.

  3. Pass the California DMV permit test and earn a learners permit.

    Ok, so why sign up for in-car driving lessons (Step 2) if you can't actually start driving? Because if you're under 17 ½, to take the learners permit written test, the DMV requires proof that you're enrolled in in-car driving lessons. (We know ... it's odd, but we don't make the rules.)

    So once you've signed up for in-car driving lessons, the California DMV will then (and only then) let you sit for the DMV learners permit written test. (Note that the 'learners permit' is also referred to as the 'instruction permit.')

    After you pass your permit test and earn your learners permit, you're now ready to start in-car driving lessons.

    To be eligible for the learners permit, you must:

    • Be at least 15 ½ .
    • Complete form DL 44 (available at the DMV office).
    • Provide the DMV with your Social Security number.
    • Show proof of your birth date and legal residence (originals or certified copies only).
    • If you're under 17 ½ , turn in a Certificate of Completion from a DMV-approved California drivers education course and show proof that you've enrolled in in-car driving lessons.
    • Pay a $27 fee, which buys you three exams of any type within a 12-month period and pays for your learners permit (also known as the instruction permit) and your drivers license.
    • Pass a vision exam.
    • Pass a traffic laws and sign written test (i.e. the learners permit written test.)

    Since DMV lines can get tedious, you can save time by scheduling your learners permit test. Just call your local DMV location at 1-800-777-0133 or visit them online.

  4. Now that you have your California learners permit, you're ready to start in-car driving lessons and driving with a parent.

    Note: the DMV requires you to complete at least six hours of driving lessons.

    In addition to starting your in-car driving lessons, you're also ready to practice driving under supervision. If you're under 18, you need to practice driving for at least 6 months and complete 50 hours (10 at night) of practice driving with a parent, guardian, or other adult 25 years or older. This probably goes without saying, but this adult must have a valid California drivers license.

  5. Finally, take a DMV driving test to earn your license!

    Before you rush off to take your driving test, here's a quick overview of what you need beforehand.

    You must:

    • Be at least 16.
    • Have had your learners permit for at least of 6 months.
    • If you're under 17 ½ , have completed a DMV-approved California drivers education course and completed six hours of in-car driving lessons.
    • If you're under 18, have completed 50 hours (including 10 hours of night driving) of supervised driving practice.
    • Show proof of your birth date and legal residence (originals or certified copies only).
    • Show proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be using for your driving test.

    Once you pass your driving test, soak in that good feeling for a second, then pick up your Interim license. It's valid for 60 days, and tides you over until you receive your new glossy license in the mail.

    Congrats! Time to head out and celebrate.

3. Are you approved by the DMV?

Our online course is equivalent to the usual 30-hour, in-class California drivers education course. After you complete our California drivers ed course, we'll mail a DMV-approved Certificate of Completion (DL Form 387C) to you completely free, so you can continue earning your license!

4. What's a Certificate of Completion and how do I get it?

After you complete the LearnersPermit.com California drivers education course, we'll mail your Certificate of Completion (DL Form 387C) completely free and within one business day. You'll need this form to take the DMV learners permit test and earn your learners permit.

5. How long is this online drivers ed course?

In California, all drivers education courses must be at least 30 hours long. Sounds long, but the good news is since our course is all online, you enjoy the added convenience of being able to log in and out whenever you want. Take a break every 20 minutes or shoot for longer sessions so you can complete the course faster.

6. How much is your California drivers ed class?

Our online drivers ed course gives you everything you need for only $19.95.

For one awesome price, you get an easy-to-understand online California drivers education course, a DMV-recognized Certificate of Completion sent to you for free by First Class Mail, and unlimited access to the course material for as long as you want. Sounds awesome, right?

7. Ok I'm ready to pay. How do I do that?

We're pretty flexible and like to keep things simple. So you have three choices when it comes to payment:

  • You can pay online with a VISA, MasterCard, or American Express.
  • If you prefer talking to a person, just call us toll-free at 1-877-410-2454 to pay by credit card.
  • Or maybe you've got a love of snail mail. If so, just mail your check or money order payment along with your username to:

LearnersPermit.com
Attn: Billing Dept.
P.O. Box 61203
Sunnyvale, CA 94088-1203

Once we get your payment, we send you an email as confirmation and update your LearnersPermit.com account so you're all set to start.

Please note that prepaid debit/gift cards issued by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, etc., cannot be used online. Call us, and we'll be happy to help you out.

8. Is it safe to use my credit card online?

On our site, yes. Protecting your personal information is no laughing matter so we use the latest security technology to protect your Internet transactions. We never keep your credit card number on file, and will never share your information with anyone else.

9. What's the refund policy?

We want you to be happy with our course, so our refund policy is pretty open.

If for any reason you'd like a refund and you haven't completed the course (i.e. if a Certificate of Completion has not yet been mailed), give us a call toll-free at 1-877-410-2454 for a full refund.

Please note that we will not issue refunds if you've completed the course and a Certificate of Completion has been mailed.

10. What do I need on my computer?

Taking the course online is simple. All you need is one of the following free Internet browsers and you're set to go:

  • Internet Explorer (5.0 minimum)
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Safari 3
  • AOL (5.0 minimum)
  • Netscape (7.2 minimum)

Note that it's also important you enable cookies and JavaScript on your browser.

11. Can I use dial-up to connect?

Sure. Our course works just fine with a dial-up connection. We designed the course to cut load time down to a minimum, so you're not wasting time and even dial-up connections work fine.


More questions? Comments?

Give us a call or email us. We'd love to hear from you.

Phone: 1-877-410-2454 (toll-free)

Email: info@learnerspermit.com