Teens in Fullerton 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 Fullerton office at 909 W Valencia Drive, Fullerton, 1.2 to 3.0 miles in a straight line from Fullerton's public high schools.
Where do Fullerton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullerton DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 909 W Valencia Drive, Fullerton 92832 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 1.9 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 | 9.1 mi |
| Westminster DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 13700 Hoover Street, Westminster 92683 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 9.4 mi |
Public high schools in Fullerton
Fullerton has 5 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Fullerton mailing address (3 traditional, 1 alternative, 1 continuation) in 1 district, with 7,252 students enrolled in the 2025-26 school year. That is about 7,252 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.
| School | District | Type | Students | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy High (opens in a new tab) | Fullerton Joint Union High (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 2,422 | Fullerton (2.8 mi) |
| Sunny Hills High (opens in a new tab) | Fullerton Joint Union High (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 2,344 | Fullerton (1.4 mi) |
| Fullerton Union High (opens in a new tab) | Fullerton Joint Union High (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 1,921 | Fullerton (1.2 mi) |
| La Vista High (Continuation) (opens in a new tab) | Fullerton Joint Union High (opens in a new tab) | Continuation | 335 | Fullerton (3.0 mi) |
| La Sierra High (Alternative) (opens in a new tab) | Fullerton Joint Union High (opens in a new tab) | Alternative | 230 | Fullerton (3.0 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
One driving school holds an Active California DMV license at an address inside Fullerton city limits or with a Fullerton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Driving School | E3965 | 905 S Euclid Street 107, Fullerton | (714) 447-0049 |
Learning to drive in Fullerton: special signals and a busy train station
Fullerton uses several signal types that new drivers should know. The city's traffic safety tips (opens in a new tab) explain the flashing yellow left-turn arrow. It lets you turn only when oncoming traffic leaves a safe gap. Some left-turn signals have five lenses, with a green arrow and a solid green ball. The arrow gives you the right-of-way, but the solid green means you must wait for a gap. When lights in the pavement flash at a crosswalk, slow down and be ready to stop.
The Fullerton Transportation Center (opens in a new tab) is one of Orange County's busiest transit hubs. A 2025 Caltrans and city project there restored the depot and the pedestrian bridge and restriped bike lanes. The city adopted a Safe Streets and Roads for All plan (opens in a new tab) on June 2, 2026. Caltrans is also studying express lanes on I-5 (opens in a new tab) through Fullerton. The city's tips cover railroad crossings too. When crossing lights flash, stop, and make sure every track is clear before you go.
The path to a license in Fullerton
- 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 Fullerton 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: Anaheim (3.6 mi) and Orange (7.4 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 Fullerton: Traffic Safety Tips (signals, crosswalks, railroad crossings) (opens in a new tab)
- Caltrans District 12: Clean California Project Revitalizes Fullerton Transit Hub (opens in a new tab)
- City of Fullerton: Safe Streets and Roads For All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
- Caltrans District 12: I-5 Managed Lanes Project (Red Hill Ave. to OC/LA County Line) (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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