Teens in Compton 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 Compton office at 2111 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, 0.9 to 3.4 miles in a straight line from Compton's public high schools.
Where do Compton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compton DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 2111 South Santa Fe Avenue, Compton 90221 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 1.3 mi |
| Bellflower DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 9520 Artesia Blvd, Bellflower 90706 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 5.3 mi |
| Bell Gardens DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 6801 South Garfield, Bell Gardens 90201 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 6.6 mi |
Public high schools in Compton
Compton has 9 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Compton mailing address (6 traditional, 2 alternative, 1 continuation) in 1 district, with 5,085 students enrolled in the 2025-26 school year. That is about 5,085 high-school students for each DMV office in the city. 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.
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
2 driving schools hold an Active California DMV license at an address inside Compton city limits or with a Compton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise Control Driving School | E2153 | 251 W Compton Blvd, Compton | (310) 638-1288 |
| Olympic Driving School | E3957 | 1520 S Santa Fe Ave B, Compton | (310) 638-0006 |
Learning to drive in Compton: a closed SR-91 exit and its detour
On westbound State Route 91 in Compton, the Alameda Street exit is closed for a long stretch. Caltrans shut that off-ramp (opens in a new tab) in February 2026 so crews can upgrade bridge railings, and it stays closed through winter 2026/2027. Drivers bound for Alameda now leave at Santa Fe Avenue and head south on Santa Fe. They then go west on Artesia Boulevard and north to reach Alameda Street. Practice this detour with a parent before you need it. If you miss an exit, never stop or back up on the freeway; take the next one.
The closure is one piece of a $34 million sign and safety project (opens in a new tab) along 14.7 miles of SR-91. It reaches from Vermont Avenue in Gardena to the Orange County line in Cerritos. Crews are replacing 1,507 sign panels and 7,157 feet of guardrail, and the work is expected to last until summer 2029. Overnight closures move from ramp to ramp each week, and the freeway can shrink to two or three lanes. In a work zone at night, slow down, keep extra space ahead and watch for workers beside the cones.
The path to a license in Compton
- 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 Compton 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: Lynwood (2.4 mi) and South Gate (3.7 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 7: Long-term Ramp Closure on State Route 91 in Compton (opens in a new tab)
- Caltrans District 7: State Route 91 Sign Rehabilitation 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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