Question 1

Do I have to take Drivers Ed?

Accepted Answer

Only if you are under 18. If you are under 18 you are required by the DMV to take Drivers Education as well as Drivers Training before you can get your license.

Question 2

Do I have to have a permit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Regardless of your age, you have to pass the written test and get a "permit" before you can take Behind-the-Wheel classes.

Question 3

How long is my permit valid?

Accepted Answer

The application is valid for one year. If you pass the written test the day you apply, then your permit will be valid for one year. Let's say that you don't pass the written test when you apply for your permit, and that you ended up taking two months to pass it. In that case, your permit will be valid for only ten months.

Question 4

Can I drive by myself?

Accepted Answer

No. The learner's permit allows you to practice while supervised by an instructor, or by one of your parents, or by another licensed driver. If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is 25 years or older. If you are caught driving without a license or alone with a learner’s permit, you could have your vehicle impounded, you could get a ticket, and you could have your ability to get your license postponed for quite some time.

Question 5

How long do I have to wait to get my license?

Accepted Answer

You must be 15 ½ before you can take the written test to get a permit. After you get your permit you must be practicing with supervision for 6 months before you can get your license. There are no exceptions.

Question 6

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Our Behind-The-Wheel lessons are offered to the greater San Diego area. Mainly Clairemont, Bay Park, Point Loma, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, University City, Kearny Mesa, Tierra Santa, Serra Mesa, Ocean Beach, Downtown San Diego, College, San Carlos, La Mesa, Coronado, National City, Bonita, Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, Imperial Beach, San Yisidro. Basically, we try to cove anything south of Del Mar and north of San Ysidro, and our instructors are also able to go as far east as El Cajon. Del Mar and Carmel Valley are conditional to weekends and/or holidays.
 
Note: Solana Beach, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Bernardo, Poway and Escondido are NOT covered anymore due to the constantly increasing, and publicly known, traffic congestion problem.

Question 7

Do I have to take Driver’s Training?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you want to get your license before you turn 18 then you must complete six hours of Behind-the-Wheel training with a DMV licensed instructor. At the end of the first day the instructor will validate your permit (your permit is not valid until you have completed your first day of behind-the-wheel training- READ Notice on second page of your permit). At the end of the third class, the instructor will give you a Certificate of Completion (Golden Cert) that you will need to present to DMV, the day of Road Test, in order to prove that you have completed Behind-the-Wheel training with a DMV licensed professional school.

Question 8

Do I have to have insurance in order to take a driving class?

Accepted Answer

No. When a student is driving with one of our instructors s/he is covered by the instructor's insurance.

Question 9

Can I use the instructor’s car for my driving test?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once you are ready to take your test, we can take you to your local DMV, where you will use your instructor's car during the road test. The instructor will pick you up from home or work, you will drive about 45 min on your way to the DMV (the instructor will correct anything you might be doing wrong). After parking at DMV, the instructor will assist you during the check-in process. You will use the instructor's car to take your test (the instructor will wait for you at the DMV). After the test is over the instructor will drive you home/work.
 
Important: We are not a rental car company. We are a driving school, so this service is offered to previous students, which means that you need instructor approval before purchase. During that brush up class the instructor will prepare you for the test, and will give you an honest and candor opinion about your chances of passing it. Remember, we want you to pass the test, but most importantly, we want you to be a safe, knowledgeable, and defensive driver.
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Pick up time is 1 hour prior to drive test, used to practice and to drive to DMV. Keep in mind that you are required to check-in at DMV's window 15 min before appointment time.
 
Expect long delays. Your appointment time is basically your check-in time. Usually there is a long wait in the car, after checking-in. On top of this wait, you'll need to consider the time required for the road test itself (usually 15 min), the time required to issue your license when you return from your test, and the time required to take you home/work.
 
Normally the whole process last between two and a half hours and three hours. Scheduling an early appointment tends to minimize the waiting time. If you schedule an afternoon appointment, expect LONG DELAYS (the line grows bigger as the day progresses).
 
IMPORTANT NOTICE: After three hours from the pick up time, an additional $25 waiting fee will be added per every additional hour/fraction.
 
Imortant Limitation: This service is offered to the following DMV locations: San Ysidro, Chula Vista, Normal Street, Clairemont, Poway, and El Cajon. Please be aware that San Marcos and Oceanside are NOT included.

Question 10

Do you have classes in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

YES. We have bilingual instructors for Behind-the-Wheel training.

Question 11

Is there a cancellation fee?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In order to pick you up and be able to arrange our appointments around your schedule, the school and each instructor commits time and resources for the purpose of ensuring her/his availability. It is almost impossible to reschedule a new student when an appointment is not cancelled ahead of time. Therefore, it will be greatly appreciated that you keep all the appointments that you have originally set. Please, keep in mind that any appointment cancelled without 2 full calendar days notice prior to the day of the lesson will incur in a $50 cancellation fee.
 
This includes students who do not have their ORIGINAL and VALID permit present at the time of the lesson.
IMPORTANT: To cancel an appointment please send a TEXT message to (858) 461-9762 and include the student's name, date/time of the appointment that you desire to cancel/reschedule, and the instructor's name if possible. Any other attempt to cancel a class (being messages left at the school's voice mail, e-mail messages, phone calls, etc) will not be considered proper notice and a $50.00 cancellation fee will apply.
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IMPORTANT:  Since the office is closed on weekends, in order to cancel a Monday appointment avoiding a cancellation fee, notice must be given by the preceding Friday before the end of the business day. To cancel

GOLDEN STATE DRIVING SCHOOL

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Frequently asked questions