Teens in Covina 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 West Covina office at 800 So Glendora Avenue, West Covina, 2.3 to 4.8 miles in a straight line from Covina's public high schools.
Where do Covina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3.1 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 | 8.7 mi |
| Pomona DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 1600 S Garey Avenue, Pomona 91766 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 9.0 mi |
Public high schools in Covina
Covina has 4 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Covina mailing address (3 traditional, 1 continuation) in 2 districts, with 3,579 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.
| District | High schools | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Covina-Valley Unified (opens in a new tab) | 3 | 2,338 |
| Charter Oak Unified (opens in a new tab) | 1 | 1,241 |
| School | District | Type | Students | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northview High (opens in a new tab) | Covina-Valley Unified | Traditional | 1,236 | West Covina (2.6 mi) |
| Covina High (opens in a new tab) | Covina-Valley Unified | Traditional | 1,001 | West Covina (2.3 mi) |
| Fairvalley High (Continuation) (opens in a new tab) | Covina-Valley Unified | Continuation | 101 | West Covina (3.2 mi) |
| Charter Oak High (opens in a new tab) | Charter Oak Unified | Traditional | 1,241 | West Covina (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 Covina city limits or with a Covina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glendora Driving and Traffic School | E0324 | 20628 E Arrow Hwy Ste 3, Covina | (626) 963-5863 |
Learning to drive in Covina: downtown rail tracks and a new recreation village
A rail line runs through downtown Covina, past the Metrolink station at 600 North Citrus Avenue (pedestrian bridge study (opens in a new tab)). The tracks form the south edge of the new Covina Recreation Village. The city is studying a walking bridge over them at 319 East Front Street. Near the station, trains and cars share tight space. Never stop on the tracks; cross only when the far side has space for your car.
The Recreation Village, at 640-680 North Citrus Avenue, is expected to open in late 2026. It will have a gym, library center, dog park and playgrounds. Its two entrances, at Barranca Avenue and Citrus Avenue, are mainly built for cars, so expect families on foot nearby. Covina's Dial-A-Ride (opens in a new tab) also carries registered riders within the city for 25 cents a trip. Drive slowly near the village entrances. Yield to walkers, especially children, at every driveway.
The path to a license in Covina
- 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 West Covina 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: West Covina (2.5 mi) and Glendora (3.1 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 Covina: Proposed Downtown Pedestrian Bridge and Covina Recreation Village (opens in a new tab)
- City of Covina: Transportation (Dial-A-Ride) (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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