- Arvin
- Bakersfield
- Buttonwillow
- Delano
- Frazier Park
- Kern Valley
- Lamont
- McFarland
- Shafter
- Taft
- Tehachapi
- Wasco
Testimonials
Teresa
Thank you Five 0 driving school for successfully preparing my son to pass his driving test! Special thanks to Sean G. for his guidance and patience. And you were right about your prediction of how many points he would miss and for what. Spot on.
Katherine
I just wanted to express my sincerest appreciation for providing my son an invaluable experience with your trainers, vehicles, DMV, and out there on the road.
He had been driving under a permit with me for almost a year, and was stalling to move forward with obtaining his license even though he has turned 18. I insisted he pass your online training and driving school if he was to initially be added under my vehicle insurance. I was not comfortable with his approach to passing the DMV permit exam and in recognizing my own limitations in appropriately preparing him. He was excited to share the things he learned in your online classes as they pertained to his permit driving with me. It wasn't until he had his first driving lesson that he began to gain some positive momentum towards wanting his license. Of course, he thoroughly enjoyed driving your vehicles and spending time with your trainers.
On Friday, he took and passed his driving test with 0 errors. He was thrilled when informed that that does not happen very often. He was so appreciative of the experience with Five O and ultimately understood that he wouldn't not have passed, why I had insisted, and the value of your school. Ultimately, I feel so much more confident with the knowledge and skills he has gained with Five O over the last month.
Keep doing what you do!
Information Sessions
How do I register for the next information session?
Click here to register for our next FREE information session on December 7.
We will review what the DMV requires for drivers under 18, your role as a parent, and tips to get the most out of the experience so your teen can be a safe, confident driver!
Do I have to use Five O Driving School to attend the information session?
Obviously we hope you'll decide to use Five O Driving School, but the information you'll learn is applicable regardless of the driving school you choose.
What kinds of things will I learn?
Everything we'll review during the information session is available on our web site and/or on the DMV web site. This is an opportunity to hear the information in a live setting where you can ask questions. In addition to the California DMV requirements, you'll also hear a little history of the company and get some tips on how to navigate our web site.
Appointments
How do I change an appointment?
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.
When can I schedule my first 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).
How long does it take to schedule an appointment?
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.
How do I view open appointments?
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.
Payments
What is your refund policy?
There are no refunds after 90 days. Any refund request will result in a $50.00 dollar administrative fee.
How do I pay for lessons?
You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, or Discover online directly though your account.
Do I have to pay up front or can I pay as I go?
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.
Do you offer any discounts?
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.
Learner's Permit
How old do I have to be to get a permit?
After your 15th 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. Once you are 15 ½, you are eligible to take the written test and receive your instructional permit.
What can I do with a learner's permit?
Your learner's permit is not valid until it is signed by a certified driving 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.
How do I get a permit?
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 (you must be at least 15 ½).
- Once you pass the test, the DMV will issue your permit.
What happens if my permit expires?
If your permit expires before you take and pass the DMV behind the wheel test, you must renew it. See instructions here.
Licensing Process
What does the DMV require to obtain a driver's license for drivers under 18?
- 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.
What do I need to bring with me to the DMV for my permit test?
- 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
How do I schedule an appointment with the DMV?
- Schedule online www.dmv.ca.gov
- Call toll free at 1-800-777-0133
What can I expect for my behind-the-wheel test at DMV?
Information about the behind-the-wheel test is available on the DMV web site here.
Behind-the-Wheel Lessons
How much do lessons cost?
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.
How fast can I complete all of my lessons?
The DMV limits the behind the wheel instruction a student can receive to two hours per day. The DMV also requires students under 18 to wait six months after receiving their permit before taking the drive test. There is therefore no advantage to taking all of your behind the wheel lessons back-to-back.
We recommend you schedule your lessons so that you have plenty of time to practice driving between them and your last lesson is as close to your DMV drive test appointment as possible. You will get the most value from your lessons if you get 20-30 hours of practice between lessons.
- First Lesson: As soon as you receive your permit.
- Middle Lesson(s): After 20-30 hours of driving practice.
- Final Lesson: Schedule within a week of your DMV drive test.
Will the instructor be able to excuse a student from class for a lesson during the school day?
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.
What are your hours of operation?
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.
Do I have to have any special insurance to take my driving lessons?
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.
Can you pick me up for my driving lesson?
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.
Do I need to bring anything with me for my driving lesson?
Always be sure you have your permit with you whenever you are driving, including for your behind-the-wheel lessons.
About Five O Driving School
What areas do you serve in Santa Barbara County?
- Santa Maria
- Orcutt
What areas do you serve in San Luis Obispo County?
- Arroyo Grande
- Atascadero
- Avila Beach
- Grover Beach
- Halcyon
- Morro Bay
- Nipomo
- Oceano
- Orcutt
- Paso Robles
- Pismo Beach
- San Luis Obispo
- Shell Beach
- Templeton
What areas do you serve in Kern County?
What areas do you serve in Los Angeles County?
All communities in the Santa Clarita Valley (Hart school district)
- Castaic
- Canyon Country
- Newhall
- Saugus
- Stevenson Ranch
- Valencia
What areas do you serve in Ventura County?
We currently do not have an instructor located in Ventura County. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming an instructor and lives in Simi Valley, Moorpark, Fillmore, or Santa Paula, please have them contact us!
Why is it called Five O?
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.
The connection to law enforcement is also why our instructors use a fleet of Dodge Chargers. Here's a fun video about the last Dodge Charger police car.
#themoreyouknow
Are you hiring?
Yes! We are always accepting applications for driving instructors in each region we serve. Use the "Request More Info" form at the bottom of the web page to indicate your interest and someone will contact you.