Teens in Burlingame 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 San Mateo office at 425 N Amphlett Boulevard, San Mateo, 1.3 to 2.8 miles in a straight line from Burlingame's public high schools.
Where do Burlingame 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2.0 mi |
| Daly City DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 1500 Sullivan Avenue, Daly City 94015 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 9.3 mi |
| 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 | 9.8 mi |
Public high schools in Burlingame
Burlingame has 2 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Burlingame mailing address (1 traditional, 1 continuation) in 1 district, with 1,746 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlingame High (opens in a new tab) | San Mateo Union High (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 1,627 | San Mateo (1.3 mi) |
| Peninsula High (Continuation) (opens in a new tab) | San Mateo Union High (opens in a new tab) | Continuation | 119 | San Mateo (2.8 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
2 driving schools hold an Active California DMV license at an address inside Burlingame city limits or with a Burlingame 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Driving School | E4563 | 533 Airport Blvd Ste 430, Burlingame | (415) 267-6118 |
| LT Driving School LLC | E2229 | 1336 N Carolan Ave 107, Burlingame | (650) 391-7756 |
Learning to drive in Burlingame: the El Camino Real rebuild and the California Drive roundabout
Through Burlingame, crews are rebuilding El Camino Real, which is State Route 82. The Caltrans roadway renewal project (opens in a new tab) runs from 2026 to 2029 and replaces curbs, sidewalks, driveways and drainage. In active work zones, only one lane is open each way and left turns are not allowed. Some blocks have also closed fully for short stretches. Near McKinley Elementary, Caltrans changed school drop-off routes (opens in a new tab) and closed Oak Grove Avenue between Paloma Avenue and El Camino. When a left turn is banned, go past and use right turns on side streets to circle back.
On California Drive, Burlingame built a two-lane roundabout at Bellevue and Lorton avenues. The city's roundabout page (opens in a new tab) posts a 15 mph limit and asks drivers to let cyclists use the full lane. Cars and bikes already circling have the right-of-way. Pick your lane by where you plan to exit before you enter. Signal as you leave, and never stop or pass inside the roundabout.
The path to a license in Burlingame
- 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 San Mateo 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: San Bruno (3.0 mi) and San Mateo (3.6 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)
- Caltrans District 4: 82 El Camino Real Roadway Renewal (opens in a new tab)
- Caltrans District 4: Back-to-School Traffic Changes on SR-82 Near McKinley Elementary School in Burlingame (August 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- City of Burlingame: California Drive Roundabout (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 6, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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