Teens in Arcadia 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 Pasadena office at 49 S Rosemead Boulevard, Pasadena, about 2.3 miles in a straight line from Arcadia's public high schools.
Where do Arcadia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 49 S Rosemead Boulevard, Pasadena 91107 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 2.3 mi |
| El Monte DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 4000 Arden Drive, El Monte 91731 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 3.4 mi |
| West Covina DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 800 So Glendora Avenue, West Covina 91790 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 7.8 mi |
Public high schools in Arcadia
Arcadia has 1 active public high school inside city limits or with a Arcadia mailing address (1 traditional) in 1 district, with 2,881 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia High | Arcadia Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 2,881 | Pasadena (2.3 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
One driving school holds an Active California DMV license at an address inside Arcadia city limits or with a Arcadia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yolandas Driving School | E4672 | 440 E Huntington Drive Suite 322, Arcadia | (626) 625-5006 |
Learning to drive in Arcadia: red arrows for right turns and a new Colorado Boulevard
Arcadia has added No Right Turn on Red Arrows (opens in a new tab) that light up only at certain times. Most come on when a pedestrian pushes the crossing button. At Santa Anita Avenue and Virginia Drive, one runs during drop-off and pickup at Highland Oaks Elementary. A red arrow means no right turn at all. A plain red light allows a right turn after a full stop. Turn only when it is safe and no sign forbids it.
Colorado Boulevard is next. The city's Complete Streets project (opens in a new tab) covers Colorado from Michillinda Avenue to Fifth Avenue, plus Colorado Place. It will add sidewalks and Class II bike lanes along part of U.S. Bicycle Route 66. Today, cyclists there share lanes with cars often moving 40-50 mph. Once bike lanes are in, check your mirror and look over your shoulder for riders before every right turn.
The path to a license in Arcadia
- 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 Pasadena 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: Rosemead (3.7 mi) and El Monte (3.8 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 Arcadia: No Right Turn on Red Arrow (NRTRA) (opens in a new tab)
- City of Arcadia: Colorado Complete Street 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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