The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world in 2020, including driving lessons here at Coastline Academy. We are now halfway through 2021 and people are asking when can driving lessons start again? In case you missed it, our driving instructors have been back on the road for months, so book your lesson now!

While each state has their own protocols and rules in place when it comes to the COVID-19 response, Coastline Academy has a general set of safety protocols we have been following as a company. The newest rules were put in place in June 2021, which include:

Masks will be required for students and instructors while in the car for your lesson.

Parent/guardian observers are allowed in the vehicle for the driving lesson, as long as they are wearing a mask and in the same bubble as the student.

At Coastline Academy, we support and encourage our instructors to get vaccinated. While we have been able to help ensure our instructors are getting vaccinated as promptly as possible, we don't comment on the vaccination status of individual instructors. With that in mind, the procedures we have in place (masks and cleaning protocols) are designed to ensure the safest possible learning environment for both instructors and students.

We are not only grateful to our team, but also our students and parents in working with us to get through this pandemic together. Our driving lessons are back and students are able to book in California, Texas and Missouri! As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our friendly support staff and make sure to book your driving lesson today.

COVID-19 shut down the world, so you want to know if we are open for driving lessons again and we take on that topic here.

With the world coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic haze, you have been asking can driving lessons resume and we answer that here!

When was the last time your district offered Drivers Education in schools? For many decision-makers like you, learning to drive in high school was not only a rite of passage but also a critical step toward independence and opportunity. However, due to decades of budget cuts, Drivers Education programs have disappeared from most California schools—despite the state’s mandate to provide them for free.

Obtaining a driver’s license in California requires two mandatory components: completing a Driver’s Ed course and 6-hours of behind-the-wheel driving lessons. At Coastline, we believe every student deserves access to essential driving education. That’s why we’re making it possible for districts to offer Drivers Ed for just $1 per student. This nominal fee covers the printing and shipping of the completion certificate, making it affordable to bring back a program that contributes to safer roads and empowered youth.

Coastline Academy is the largest and fastest-growing driving school in the nation, operating in over 500 towns and cities across 8 states. We have trained over 250,000 students, equipping them with the skills they need for safe and responsible driving. As the first driving school capable of offering near-free Drivers Ed at scale, we leverage our infrastructure and business model to bring this essential program back to schools. Here’s how:

Community Commitment: By providing Drivers Ed at such a low cost, we’re building relationships with families and communities who often choose to continue with us for behind-the-wheel lessons. This sustains our business model while being a win-win for everyone involved.

Flexible Partnership Models: Should your district consider offering driving lessons in the future, we’d be happy to discuss discounted rates to make them even more accessible.

State Compliance Made Simple: Fulfill the state mandate to provide Drivers Ed without straining your school’s budget. See EC Section 51220(j) here.

Graduation Credits: Drivers Ed counts toward high school graduation requirements, giving students one more reason to engage and succeed.

Time-Honored Tradition: Every school board member we’ve spoken to fondly remembers taking Drivers Ed in high school themselves. Let’s bring that legacy back for today’s students.

No Hidden Costs: Your district pays just $1 per student. Period.

Verify Feasibility: While California mandates Drivers Ed, implementation may require approval from principals or other stakeholders. We’ll work with your team to navigate these requirements.

Sign Up: Once approved, we’ll handle the logistics, ensuring every student has access to our online Drivers Ed program.

Reap the Rewards: Celebrate as your district leads the way in making Drivers Ed accessible once more.

Join the hundreds of districts nationwide partnering with Coastline Academy to redefine what’s possible in education. Together, let’s give your students the tools they need for the road ahead.

Contact us today to learn more and get started!

Coastline Academy Offers $1 Driver's Education for California School Districts

Starting October 2024, we are excited to announce that Cantor's Driving School California in Canyon Lake, CA is now a part of Coastline Academy. Coastline is the largest driving school in the country, with over 92,000 5-star reviews from students across the US. This collaboration combines Coastline's expertise in education technology with Cantor's community roots to create a dynamic driving education experience for students in Southern California.

Online software - Coastline is at the cutting-edge of driver's education technology with online booking, secure payments, and digital lesson reports.

The name - Coastline is an industry leader in behind-the-wheel driver education whose mission is to eradicate car crashes.

A more modern fleet - packed with safety features like GPS tracking, video/audio recording, emergency equipment, and more.

The faces you're used to every day - we're still the same local team of professional classroom and driving instructors, and staff.

The high-quality education - now supplemented and supported by Coastline to make students safer, more confident drivers

We gratefully recognize the incredible work the Cantor's California team has done in the community, and look forward to continuing to support new drivers in Southern California. Coastline is on a mission to eradicate car crashes. We do this by teaching safe and confident drivers for life.

Information about the sale of Cantor's Driving School California to Coastline Academy

Cantor's Driving School California Joins Coastline Academy

Starting June 2024, we are excited to announce that Blue Bell Driving School in Plymouth Meeting, PA is now a part of Coastline Academy. Coastline is the largest driving school in the country, with over 77,000 5-star reviews from students across the US. This collaboration combines Coastline's expertise in education technology with Blue Bell Driving School's community roots to create a dynamic driving education experience for students in Plymouth Meeting and surrounding areas.

We gratefully recognize the incredible work the Blue Bell Driving School team has done in the community over the past decade, and look forward to continuing to support new drivers in Plymouth Meeting and surrounding areas. Coastline is on a mission to eradicate car crashes. We do this by teaching safe and confident drivers for life.

Information about the sale of Blue Bell Driving School to Coastline Academy

Blue Bell Driving School Joins Coastline Academy

Starting May 2024, we are excited to announce that Petaccio's Driving School in Royersford, PA is now a part of Coastline Academy. Coastline is the largest driving school in the country, with over 77,000 5-star reviews from students across the US. This collaboration combines Coastline's expertise in education technology with Petaccio's Driving School community roots to create a dynamic driving education experience for students in Royersford and surrounding areas.

We gratefully recognize the incredible work the Petaccio's Driving School team has done in the community over the past decade, and look forward to continuing to support new drivers in Royersford and surrounding areas. Coastline is on a mission to eradicate car crashes. We do this by teaching safe and confident drivers for life.

Information about the sale of Petaccio's Driving School to Coastline Academy

Petaccio's Driving School Joins Coastline Academy

Starting March 2024, we are excited to announce that Sam's Driving School in Richmond, TX is now a part of Coastline Academy. Coastline is the largest driving school in the country, with over 70,000 5-star reviews from students across the US. This collaboration combines Coastline's expertise in education technology with Sam's community roots to create a dynamic driving education experience for students in Richmond and surrounding areas.

We gratefully recognize the incredible work the Sam's team has done in the community over the past decade, and look forward to continuing to support new drivers in Richmond and surrounding areas. Coastline is on a mission to eradicate car crashes. We do this by teaching safe and confident drivers for life.

Information about the sale of Sam's Driving School to Coastline Academy

Sam's Driving School Joins Coastline Academy

Starting March 2024, we are excited to announce that First Class Driver in Fort Worth, TX is now a part of Coastline Academy. Coastline is the largest driving school in the country, with over 77,000 5-star reviews from students across the US. This collaboration combines Coastline's expertise in education technology with First Class Driver's community roots to create a dynamic driving education experience for students in Fort Worth and surrounding areas.

We gratefully recognize the incredible work the First Class Driver team has done in the community over the past decade, and look forward to continuing to support new drivers in Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Coastline is on a mission to eradicate car crashes. We do this by teaching safe and confident drivers for life.

Information about the sale of First Class Driver to Coastline Academy

First Class Driver Joins Coastline Academy

Starting January 2024, we are excited to announce that Driver Training Services in Lansdale, PA is now a part of Coastline Academy. Coastline is the largest driving school in the country, with over 77,000 5-star reviews from students across the US. This collaboration combines Coastline's expertise in education technology with Driver Training Services community roots to create a dynamic driving education experience for students in Lansdale and surrounding areas.

We gratefully recognize the incredible work the DTS team has done in the community over the past decade, and look forward to continuing to support new drivers in Lansdale and surrounding areas. Coastline is on a mission to eradicate car crashes. We do this by teaching safe and confident drivers for life.

Information about the sale of Driver Training Services to Coastline Academy

Driver Training Services Joins Coastline Academy

Starting October 2023, we are excited to announce that Arvada Driving School in Arvada, CO is now a part of Coastline Academy. Coastline is the largest driving school in the country, with over 77,000 5-star reviews from students across the US. This collaboration combines Coastline's expertise in education technology with Arvada Driving School community roots to create a dynamic driving education experience for students in Arvada and surrounding areas.

We gratefully recognize the incredible work the Arvada Driving School team has done in the community over the past decade, and look forward to continuing to support new drivers in Arvada and surrounding areas. Coastline is on a mission to eradicate car crashes. We do this by teaching safe and confident drivers for life.

Information about the sale of Arvada Driving School to Coastline Academy

Arvada Driving School Joins Coastline Academy

Welcome to the next era of Coastline! We're thrilled to unveil a fresh look and feel that embodies the essence of who we are today. This transformation is more than just an aesthetic change – it's a symbol of our evolution, our vision, and our unwavering commitment to our students.

At Coastline, we've always been committed to guiding our students down the road to confident and responsible driving. As we've grown and evolved, it became clear that our brand needed to keep pace with our aspirations. So, we're thrilled to unveil our refreshing new look – one that captures the next phase of our journey and represents our vision for the future.

Our brand refresh is not merely a change in appearance but a reflection of everything that Coastline stands for. It's an embodiment of our dedication to providing top-tier driving education with a convenient and streamlined experience. By embracing the latest in technology and educational techniques, we're ensuring that our students benefit from the most modern and efficient approaches to learning. Safety, of course, remains a cornerstone of our mission of eradicating car crashes, instilled in every lesson we provide.

The vibrant new visuals of our brand resonate with the joyful and confident spirit of Coastline. Trust and expertise shine through, giving our students the assurance they need as they navigate the exciting journey of learning to drive. The overall feel is one of aspiration – a reflection of our commitment to helping our students reach their fullest potential on the road. A driver license is more than a piece of plastic, it’s freedom to get where you want to go. Our refresh reflects the partnership we feel with our students to help you get there.

Join us as we shift gears into this exciting new chapter. Coastline’s refreshed look and feel are ready to inspire, support, and guide you on your driving adventure. Your road to success starts here, and we can't wait to share the journey with you! 🚗💨

We're thrilled to unveil a fresh look and feel that embodies the essence of who we are today.

Towards the Future: a Refreshed Look at the Coastline Brand

With a new year almost upon us, it looks like the state of California will be implementing some new laws in 2023. To help educate drivers of these new laws, the California Department of Motor Vehicles released a press release highlighting these new laws taking effect on January 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted.

Online Driver’s License Renewal for Californians 70 and Older Ends December 31 (AB 174, Committee on Budget)

Starting January 1, California law will again require drivers 70 and older to renew their license in person at a DMV office. There’s only a couple more days individuals 70 and older can take advantage of the temporary rule allowing them to renew their driver’s licenses or identification cards online or by mail – even if their renewal notice states a visit to a DMV field office is required.

In October 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom temporarily waived the California law requiring senior drivers to renew their licenses at a DMV field office and signed AB 174 in September 2021 to allow online or by mail renewals through the end of 2022. This temporary online option has helped Californians avoid DMV field offices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Requirement for Permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard Renewals (SB 611, Hill, 2017)

The DMV is sending notices to Californians who have had their permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard for at least six years and asking them to confirm that they are still in need of one. The DMV will not renew placards for people who do not respond. This renewal requirement is one provision of prior legislation, SB 611, enacted in 2017 to curb fraud and abuse of Disabled Person Parking Placards.

Consumer Notices for Semiautonomous Vehicles (SB 1398, Gonzalez)

Dealers and manufacturers that sell new passenger vehicles equipped with a partial driving automation feature or provide any software update or vehicle upgrade that adds such a feature are required to give a clear description of its functions and limitations. The law also prohibits a manufacturer or dealer from deceptively marketing a feature.

Enhanced Safeguards for Bicycle Riders (AB 1909, Friedman)

Drivers are now required to change into another available lane, when possible, to pass cyclists, building on the current requirement for drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing. The law also permits Class 3 e-bike riders to use approved bicycle paths and trails, bikeways, and bicycle lanes. In addition, starting on January 1, 2024, the law allows cyclists to cross an intersection when a walk sign is on.

Ban on Sideshows at Parking Facilities (AB 2000, Gabriel)

Parking lots across the state are now included with public roads as locations where street racing and sideshows are banned. Another law passed in 2021 (AB 3, Fong) allows courts to suspend an individual’s driver’s license for violating this ban beginning on July 1, 2025.

Crackdown on Catalytic Converter Theft (SB 1087, Gonzalez and AB 1740, Muratsuchi)

These laws enhance requirements on recyclers to keep specific records of catalytic converters they receive and on the authorized parties that can sell used catalytic converters. These laws aim to reduce the increasing theft of catalytic converters and help keep Californians and their cars safer.

Veteran Designation on Driver’s Licenses (SB 837, Umberg)

This law eliminates the $5 fee for obtaining a military “VETERAN” designation on a driver’s license or identification (ID) card.

Toll Exemptions for Certain Veterans (AB 2949, Lee)

This law exempts vehicles registered to veterans displaying specialized license plates from paying tolls on roads, bridges, highways, vehicular crossings, or other toll facilities. The exemption applies only to vehicles with license plates that are issued to a disabled veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor, prisoner of war, or to veterans who have received distinctions such as the Purple Heart or the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Digital Notices and Remote Renewals for Some Transactions (SB 1193, Newman)

This law allows customers to receive certain DMV notices electronically – which previously had been required to be mailed – if they opt in. It also removes the requirement that a vehicle salesperson’s license be renewed in person, which will enable the DMV to establish a renewal program that allows for consecutive remote vehicle salesperson license renewals. The law will help save time, paper, and reduce the number of transactions needing to be completed at a field office.

Alternatives to Conventional License Plates, Stickers, Tabs, and Registration Cards (AB 984, Wilson)

The DMV will create a new ongoing program that allows entities to issue alternatives such as digital license plates, vinyl front license plate wraps and digital registration cards. Since 2015, the current pilot program has enrolled more than 19,000 customers for digital license plates, more than 5,000 customers for vinyl license plates and less than 100 customers for e-registration. The DMV will work on regulations to govern how the requirements for the permanent program will be implemented.

Reform of License Suspension Law (AB 2746, Friedman)

California state courts will stop sending notices to the DMV for license suspensions for failure to appear starting on January 1, 2023, while requiring the DMV to stop suspending licenses for failing to appear starting on January 1, 2027, to allow time to make computer programming changes.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.

We have a new year coming soon and that means new driving laws that take effect in 2022, so the California Highway Patrol is working to remind drivers of these changes.

With a new year comes new law changes, as the California Department of Motor Vehicles reminds drivers of these new 2023 law changes.

New Year, New Laws: California DMV Highlights New Laws In 2023

When Can Driving Lessons Start Again?

Safety Protocols In Place

Vaccinations

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