Teens in Citrus Heights 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 Carmichael office at 5209 North Ave, Carmichael, 4.8 to 5.9 miles in a straight line from Citrus Heights's public high schools.
Where do Citrus Heights 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmichael DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 5209 North Ave, Carmichael 95608 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 5.3 mi |
| Roseville DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 7200 Galilee Road, Roseville 95678 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 5.9 mi |
| Folsom DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 323 E Bidwell A, Folsom 95630 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 6.8 mi |
Public high schools in Citrus Heights
Citrus Heights has 2 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Citrus Heights mailing address (2 traditional) in 1 district, with 1,370 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Verde High (opens in a new tab) | San Juan Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 847 | Roseville (5.1 mi) |
| San Juan High (opens in a new tab) | San Juan Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 523 | Carmichael (4.8 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
One driving school holds an Active California DMV license at an address inside Citrus Heights city limits or with a Citrus Heights 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Western Driving School | E3841 | 7617 Wooddale Way, Citrus Heights | (916) 797-3011 |
Learning to drive in Citrus Heights: a rebuilt Auburn Boulevard and brighter signals
Auburn Boulevard is Citrus Heights' largest public works project, and its second phase is now done. The city's Auburn Boulevard project (opens in a new tab) added bike lanes, wide sidewalks, upgraded signals and new street lighting north to Orlando Avenue. Construction began in July 2024 and was completed in August 2026. On Sunrise Boulevard, the city resurfaced the road (opens in a new tab) from Greenback Lane to Madison Avenue and finished in September 2025. Stay out of the bike lane except when turning, and yield to riders before you cross it.
Some intersections were rebuilt so drivers can see better. The Roseville Road and Butternut Drive project (opens in a new tab) added a left-turn lane, curb bulb-outs and refreshed bike lanes. It also put reflective backplates around signals at 34 intersections across the city so the lights stand out. The intersection was flagged in the city's 2020 roadway safety plan. Bulb-outs make corners tighter, so turn slowly and watch for walkers stepping off the curb.
The path to a license in Citrus Heights
- 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 Carmichael 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: Roseville (4.6 mi) and Rancho Cordova (6.8 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 Citrus Heights: Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Phase 2 (opens in a new tab)
- City of Citrus Heights: Sunrise Boulevard Resurfacing Project (opens in a new tab)
- City of Citrus Heights: Roseville-Butternut Safety Improvements (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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