Teens in Belmont 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 Redwood City office at 300 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City, about 3.4 miles in a straight line from Belmont's public high schools.
Where do Belmont 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redwood City DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 300 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City 94063 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 3.4 mi |
| San Mateo DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 425 N Amphlett Boulevard, San Mateo 94401 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 5.4 mi |
| Hayward DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 150 Jackson Street, Hayward 94544 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 15 mi |
Public high schools in Belmont
Belmont has 1 active public high school inside city limits or with a Belmont mailing address (1 traditional) in 1 district, with 2,385 students enrolled in the 2025-26 school year. Most teens reach 15½, the earliest permit age, in 9th or 10th grade (Education Code 48000 (opens in a new tab) sets the school entry age). Finish the online course before then: the permit application needs the DL 400C.
| School | District | Type | Students | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlmont High | Sequoia Union High (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 2,385 | Redwood City (3.4 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
The DMV license list (checked 2026-10-04) shows no driving school with an Active license at an address in Belmont. Schools in nearby cities often pick students up across the area; check each school's service area and license on the DMV lookup (opens in a new tab).
Learning to drive in Belmont: Ralston Avenue's lane changes and Alameda de las Pulgas
Ralston Avenue is Belmont's main east-west road, running from State Route 92 down to US 101. The Ralston corridor study (opens in a new tab) notes that it shrinks from four lanes to two near Alameda de las Pulgas. It then widens back to four near Twin Pines Park and City Hall. The study splits the road into four segments because the setting and terrain change so much. Where two lanes become one, signal, check your mirror, and merge smoothly in turn.
Alameda de las Pulgas is a school route Belmont shares with San Carlos. The Alameda de las Pulgas safety project (opens in a new tab) plans new sidewalks, bike lanes, better crosswalks and three mini-roundabouts. Phase 1 covers El Verano Way to Cranfield Avenue and adds a traffic signal at Carlmont Drive. The city is still seeking grants for the full project. Near Carlmont at school start and end times, slow down and expect students crossing in groups.
The path to a license in Belmont
- 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 Redwood City 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: Redwood City (2.3 mi) and San Mateo (3.4 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 Belmont: Ralston Avenue Corridor Study (opens in a new tab)
- City of Belmont: Alameda de las Pulgas Multimodal Safety Project (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 6, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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