Teens in Alameda take the same 30-hour online driver education course as everywhere in California, then the permit test at a DMV office. The nearest DMV field office is the Oakland office at 5300 Claremont Avenue, Oakland, 4.2 to 5.2 miles in a straight line from Alameda's public high schools.
Where do Alameda teens take the permit and drive tests?
These offices are closed on weekends and open at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays. Book an appointment on the DMV appointments page (opens in a new tab), and arrive well before 4:30 p.m.: knowledge tests are not given after that. What to bring is on our permit visit checklist.
| Office | Address | Hours | Phone | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 5300 Claremont Avenue, Oakland 94618 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 4.6 mi |
| Oakland Coliseum DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 501 85th Ave, Oakland 94621 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 4.8 mi |
| San Francisco DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 1377 Fell Street, San Francisco 94117 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 9.3 mi |
Public high schools in Alameda
Alameda has 3 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Alameda mailing address (1 traditional, 1 alternative, 1 continuation) in 1 district, with 2,112 students enrolled in the 2025-26 school year. Under California's kindergarten age rule (age 5 by September 1, Education Code 48000 (opens in a new tab)), most students reach 15½, the earliest permit age, between the spring of 9th grade and the spring of 10th grade. The permit application needs the DL 400C, so finish the online course before then.
| School | District | Type | Students | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda High (opens in a new tab) | Alameda Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 1,843 | Oakland Coliseum (3.4 mi) |
| Alameda Science and Technology Institute (opens in a new tab) | Alameda Unified (opens in a new tab) | Alternative | 219 | Oakland (4.2 mi) |
| Island High (Continuation) (opens in a new tab) | Alameda Unified (opens in a new tab) | Continuation | 50 | Oakland (4.6 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
One driving school holds an Active California DMV license at an address inside Alameda city limits or with a Alameda mailing address (DMV list checked 2026-10-04). The list is alphabetical; we do not rank schools. Confirm a license on the DMV lookup (opens in a new tab) before you pay.
| Driving school | DMV license | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Driving School | E0013 | 1151 Harbor Bay Pkwy St 131 B, Alameda | (510) 575-7653 |
Learning to drive in Alameda: island drawbridges and new Central Avenue roundabouts
Alameda is an island city, and some of the roads leading off it are drawbridges. The Bay Farm Island Bridge opens for boats on signal (opens in a new tab) for much of the day. From 5 to 8 a.m. and from 5 to 9 p.m., boats must give 12 hours' notice for an opening. The bridge need not open for boats from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The bike bridge beside it keeps the same schedule. If warning lights flash and the gate comes down, stop behind it and wait patiently.
On the main island, Central Avenue is gaining roundabouts. The city lists new roundabouts (opens in a new tab) at Third Street and at Fourth Street, both built in 2025. Another at Main Street and Pacific Avenue followed in 2026. Caltrans is also working on State Route 61 (opens in a new tab), adding separated bike lanes on Doolittle Drive and flashing beacons at key curves. In a roundabout, yield to people in the crosswalks and to cars inside the circle. Never stop once you are in it.
The path to a license in Alameda
- Finish the online driver education course (30 hours, $49.95 with Traffic Tutors) and wait for the mailed DL 400C.
- At 15½, apply for the permit at the Oakland DMV office or any other, with the DL 400C and a parent's signature.
- Book the first behind-the-wheel lesson; the instructor validates the permit.
- Practice 50 hours with a licensed driver 25 or older, 10 at night, while finishing the 6 training hours.
- After 6 months with the permit and at 16 or older, take the drive test. Dates: age date tool.
Nearest other city guides: Oakland (2.6 mi) and Berkeley (6.2 mi). Every county is listed on drivers ed by county.
Quick answers
Sources
- California DMV field office list (fetched 2026-10-05) (opens in a new tab)
- California Department of Education: public schools directory, 2025-26 (fetched 2026-10-05) (opens in a new tab)
- California Department of Finance: E-1 population estimates, January 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Teen drivers (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV Occupational License Lookup: driving schools (checked 2026-10-04) (opens in a new tab)
- California Education Code section 48000: kindergarten admission age (opens in a new tab)
- California Department of Education School Directory: district offices (checked 2026-10-04) (opens in a new tab)
- City of Alameda: Estuary Bridges (opens in a new tab)
- City of Alameda: Roundabouts in Alameda (opens in a new tab)
- Caltrans District 4: Alameda County Newsletter (SR-61 Capital Preventative Maintenance Project) (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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