Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Smart Driver is fully licensed and approved by the California DMV to offer the required 30-hour online driver education course for teens. Upon completion, teens can take the official permit test at their local DMV.

There’s no minimum age to begin a DMV-approved driver education course in California, so your teen can start Smart Driver at any age. However, to take the Learner’s Permit Test at the DMV, they must:

• Be at least 15½ years old
• Complete a 30-hour DMV-approved course (like Smart Driver)
• Submit a signed DL 44 form with parent or guardian consent.

Many families start the course early so their teen is fully prepared and eligible to test as soon as they hit 15½. 

Smart Driver costs $29.99 for one year of access to the course. 

The California DMV requires 30 hours of instruction time. You can move at your own pace, and the platform automatically tracks your time and unit completion. 

Once you complete all modules and pass the final exam, you'll receive the official DL 400C Form signed by your Smart Driver instructor that you take to the DMV for your official permit test. The DMV requires a hard copy with a wet signature from your instructor. Digital copies are not allowed.  

Yes! We are mobile learners, so we built the course with mobile accessibility in mind. 

Smart Driver runs on Talent LMS, a widely trusted online learning platform used by thousands of educators and companies worldwide. Your personal data including your name, progress, and certificate records — is securely stored and protected under strict privacy and security standards.

We do not offer behind-the-wheel lessons for Smart Driver students. However, we have partnered with California-certified instructors who would happily help you schedule the required 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training your learner will need to fulfill the requirements to take the provisional driver's license test at your local DMV.