Teens in Lakewood 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 Bellflower office at 9520 Artesia Blvd, Bellflower, 0.6 to 3.9 miles in a straight line from Lakewood's public high schools.
Where do Lakewood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1.4 mi |
| Long Beach DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 3700 East Willow Street, Long Beach 90815 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 3.8 mi |
| 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 | 5.5 mi |
Public high schools in Lakewood
Lakewood has 6 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Lakewood mailing address (4 traditional, 1 alternative, 1 continuation) in 4 districts, with 6,162 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bellflower Unified (opens in a new tab) | 2 | 2,297 |
| Long Beach Unified (opens in a new tab) | 1 | 2,092 |
| ABC Unified (opens in a new tab) | 1 | 1,317 |
| Paramount Unified (opens in a new tab) | 2 | 456 |
| School | District | Type | Students | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayfair High (opens in a new tab) | Bellflower Unified | Traditional | 2,293 | Bellflower (1.1 mi) |
| Bellflower Alternative Education Center | Bellflower Unified | Alternative | 4 | Bellflower (0.6 mi) |
| Lakewood High | Long Beach Unified | Traditional | 2,092 | Bellflower (2.5 mi) |
| Artesia High (opens in a new tab) | ABC Unified | Traditional | 1,317 | Bellflower (3.9 mi) |
| Odyssey STEM Academy (opens in a new tab) | Paramount Unified | Traditional | 256 | Bellflower (1.5 mi) |
| Buena Vista High | Paramount Unified | Continuation | 200 | Bellflower (1.4 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
One driving school holds an Active California DMV license at an address inside Lakewood city limits or with a Lakewood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roadvia Driving School | E0807 | 5150 Candlewood Street 16D, Lakewood | (562) 444-1527 |
Learning to drive in Lakewood: new traffic circles on Palo Verde and Studebaker
Lakewood is making two trial street designs permanent, traffic circles included. On June 23, 2026, the City Council voted to keep the traffic calming (opens in a new tab) tested on Palo Verde Avenue and Studebaker Road. During the pilot, speeding and stop sign violations fell near Candlewood Street. Studebaker also gained about 100 parking spaces for Rynerson Park. Entering a traffic circle, ease off the gas and give way to anyone already circling. Then keep right as you go around the island.
Final construction is running into late 2026. A September project update (opens in a new tab) put the Studebaker start date at September 28, on the stretch between Del Amo and Centralia. That work was expected to last through the end of November. Cars are moved to the outer lanes as crews work down the middle. The pattern changes as each section is done. Follow the cones and temporary lane lines, even where they bend away from the old ones.
The path to a license in Lakewood
- 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 Bellflower 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: Bellflower (1.8 mi) and Paramount (3.6 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 Lakewood: Council Recap, traffic calming improvements approved (June 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- City of Lakewood: Studebaker Road and Palo Verde Avenue project update (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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