Teens in Downey 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 Bell Gardens office at 6801 South Garfield, Bell Gardens, 2.4 to 4.0 miles in a straight line from Downey's public high schools.
Where do Downey 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3.0 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 | 3.9 mi |
| Whittier DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 9338 S Painter Avenue, Whittier 90605 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 5.3 mi |
Public high schools in Downey
Downey has 5 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Downey mailing address (2 traditional, 2 alternative, 1 continuation) in 2 districts, with 8,283 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Downey Unified (opens in a new tab) | 4 | 8,082 |
| Los Angeles County Office of Education (opens in a new tab) | 1 | 201 |
| School | District | Type | Students | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downey High | Downey Unified | Traditional | 4,165 | Bell Gardens (2.5 mi) |
| Warren (Earl) High | Downey Unified | Traditional | 3,584 | Bell Gardens (2.4 mi) |
| Columbus (Christopher) High | Downey Unified | Continuation | 322 | Bellflower (3.3 mi) |
| Woodruff Academy (opens in a new tab) | Downey Unified | Alternative | 11 | Bellflower (3.3 mi) |
| Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall | Los Angeles County Office of Education | Alternative | 201 | Bell Gardens (2.6 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
One driving school holds an Active California DMV license at an address inside Downey city limits or with a Downey 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| U Can Drive School of Driving | E4627 | 11600 Paramount Blvd Ste J, Downey | (562) 861-0140 |
Learning to drive in Downey: I-5 ramps, new streetlights and e-bikes
Interstate 5 cuts through Downey. Caltrans has been repaving a 6.5-mile stretch (opens in a new tab) from the I-605 interchange to just past Atlantic Boulevard. The work treats 38 lane miles and replaces broken concrete slabs. Its listed schedule ran from fall 2023 through fall 2025. Ramps at Lakewood Boulevard and Paramount Boulevard were among those set to close at night. Before a night drive, look up closures, and know a second way onto the freeway.
Downey is also adding light to its neighborhood streets. The mayor's July 2026 update (opens in a new tab) says a three-year plan will install 246 new streetlights on 50 blocks. It warns that many higher-powered e-bikes legally count as electric motorcycles. Police also planned extra enforcement in school zones as classes started. At dusk, switch on your headlights and scan the curb lane for fast e-bikes. Change lanes to pass a rider when you safely can.
The path to a license in Downey
- 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 Bell Gardens 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: Norwalk (3.7 mi) and Long Beach (8.9 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: Interstate 5 Pavement Preservation Project (I-5, I-605) (opens in a new tab)
- City of Downey: 2026 July Mayor's Corner (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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