Driver education and driver training (behind-the-wheel) (DE/DT) may be provided by a public or private secondary school or a driving school licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The Department of Education is responsible for establishing DE/DT curriculum provided by public and private secondary schools. A licensed driving school operator or owner offering DE/DT must have their curric
ulum preapproved by DMV before a licensed is issued. DMV knows that it is important for you to obtain the best DE/DT for your teenager. Good communication between the parent, student, and DE/DT instructors is essential in the process. This brochure answers frequently asked questions and suggests parents ask questions about the licensed driving schools individual business practices. Teenage drivers get more tickets and are hurt and killed in greater numbers than other drivers. DMV encourages parents to provide students with at least as much training and practice as outlined in the Parent-Teen Training Guide. California law requires a person under the age of 18 to complete one of the following classroom driver education and driver training courses:
25 hours of classroom instruction (not including breaks or time for meals), home study or Internet training program (must be equivalent to classroom instruction requirements).
6 hours of Behind-the-Wheel training.
50 hours of supervised driving practice that includes 10 hours of driving during darkness.
