Driver Ed FAQ

You may change a scheduled appointment any time by logging into your account on our web site or by calling our office. Please note that you must change an existing appointment at least 24 hours in advance in order to avoid being charged for the lesson. Lessons changed within 24 hours are subject to a late cancellation fee. If you do not show up for a lesson, you are still charged for the cost of that lesson.

You can schedule your first lesson as soon as you have paid for it. However, in order to receive your first lesson you must have your learner's permit issued from the DMV. The recommended order of operations is as follows:

• Complete the driver's education course and receive your signed, physical pink certificate. 
• Schedule your written test at the DMV after you receive the certificate.
• Schedule your first behind the wheel lesson for at least two days after your appointment for your written test.
• If you do not pass your written test, reschedule your behind the wheel lesson to avoid being charged for a missed lesson (you cannot start behind the wheel training without your permit). 

Once you have your permit and you have paid for your lessons, scheduling an appointment can be done right away from your student portal. Availability varies by region and time of year. There may be lessons available the next day or you may have to schedule a lesson for several weeks into the future.

You can also add yourself to the waiting list for any lesson in your region. If that lesson period becomes available, you will be notified according to your profile settings. Please note, you will still need to log into your account and book the lesson.

If you are having trouble finding a lesson that works for your schedule, please give us a call, text, or email and we'll do our best to accomodate you.

If you have already registered and paid for your lessons, log in to your portal and click the calendar icon on the left side of the screen.

If you have not yet registered and paid for your lessons, select the school closest to your home from the homepage. Scroll down to the Behind-the-Wheel calendar widget. Days with open appointments are show in black. Days without available appointments are shown in gray. Hover over a black date to see appointment details. Please note, pickup locations may vary from your preference when viewing lesson availability on this screen.

There are no refunds after 90 days. Any refund request will result in a $50.00 dollar administrative fee. 

You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, or Discover online directly though your account.

Our behind the wheel instruction can be purchased as a package with all lessons included or as individual lessons. Whichever option you choose must be paid in full prior to scheduling the lesson.

The cost per lesson is reduced when you purchase your lessons together in one of our packages. We also offer a discount to first responders. Please call or email our office.

After your 15^th birthday you may complete the driver's education training course online.

Once you complete the course, you will be mailed a pink certificate of completion.

Your learner's permit is not valid until you begin driver training with an instructor. It will be signed after your first behind the wheel lesson.

You may then practice with a licensed California driver: parent, guardian, driving instructor, spouse, or an adult 25 years old or older.

Teenagers are banned from using their cell phones either for texting or talking. This includes use of hands free devices while driving.

No electronic devices may be used when driving.

After your 15th birthday

• Complete a driver's education training course such as this one.
• After receiving your pink certificate of completion for the driver education training course, make an appointment with the DMV to take your written driver's test. 
• Once you pass the test, the DMV will issue your permit.

If your permit expires before you take and pass the DMV behind the wheel test, you must renew it. See instructions here.

• Student must be a minimum of 16 years of age.
• Student must have a permit for a minimum of 6 months. The 6 months starts from the permit issue date. In order to get your permit, you must complete a Driver's Education Course and be at least 15 years of age.
• 6 Hours of behind-the-wheel drivers training with a licensed instructor
• 50 Hours of supervised driving practice that includes 10 hours at night (this can be done with any licensed driver over 25 years of age).
• Pass a behind the wheel driving test with a DMV instructor.

• DMV application (DL44) (note: a parent or guardian signature required for minors)
• Verification of Birth (original birth certificate - no photo copies, passport, green card, resident alien card, or military id)
• Residency Documents (a parent's driver's license is not sufficient documentation nor will the DMV accept digital residency documents. See DMV web site for details.).
• Driver's Education Certificate of Completion (required for anyone under 17 years of age)
• Required Fee (credit card, cash, personal check or money order payable to DMV)
• Glasses or contacts if needed for vision test

• Schedule online www.dmv.ca.gov
• Call toll free at 1-800-777-0133

Information about the behind-the-wheel test is available on the DMV web site here.

Lesson durations and prices vary by region. Please select the high school closest to your home using the drop-down list on the homepage. A new page will load with pricing details specific to your region.

No. A parent or guardian must make arrangements with the attendance office at the school to allow a student to leave campus early. Five O Driving School instructors will wait outside the school.

We provide behind-the-wheel lessons 7 days a week (depending on the region). Lessons may be scheduled online anytime or by calling our office during operating hours.

Our customer support team is available for phone calls Monday through Thursday from 9AM to 5PM. Requests sent through the web site or via email may be answered more quickly and outside of normal business hours. 

We are closed for phone calls and lessons for all major holidays. 

No. Five O Driving School maintains all certifications, licenses, and insurance to instruct and drive with student drivers. You should check with your insurance company about adding appropriate coverage when driving your personal or family vehicle.

Absolutely. Most students get picked up directly from their high school. If you book the last lesson of the day during the school year, you can usually select to be dropped off at home.   

We offer home pickup and dropoff during the summer and school breaks. 

Always be sure you have your permit with you whenever you are driving, including for your behind-the-wheel lessons.

• Santa Maria
• Orcutt

• Arroyo Grande
• Atascadero
• Avila Beach
• Grover Beach
• Halcyon
• Morro Bay
• Nipomo
• Oceano
• Orcutt
• Paso Robles
• Pismo Beach
• San Luis Obispo
• Shell Beach
• Templeton

All communities in the Santa Clarita Valley (Hart school district)

• Castaic
• Canyon Country
• Newhall
• Saugus
• Valencia

Five O Driving School was founded by John Rhoades, a 32 year veteran of the California Highway Patrol. After he retired, John started Five O driving with the idea to hire first responders--including retired police officers--as instructors. 

Five-O is an American slang term for law enforcement that is derived from the 1968 police drama Hawaii Five-O set in Hawaii. The show's name came from the fact that Hawaii is the 50th U.S. state. The show ran for 12 seasons, spawning a reboot in 2010. In addition to associating "Five O" with law enforcement, it's influence on pop culture also includes the iconic phrase "book 'em, Danno," referring to one of the main characters, Danny Williams. 

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Yes! We currently are hiring a driving instructor in Santa Clarita. Click here to apply.