Teens in Palmdale 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 Lancaster office at 721 W Ave L6, Lancaster, 4.6 to 10 miles in a straight line from Palmdale's public high schools.
Where do Palmdale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 721 W Ave L6, Lancaster 93535 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 6.2 mi |
| Newhall DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 24427 Newhall Avenue, Newhall 91321 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 29 mi |
| Pasadena DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 49 S Rosemead Boulevard, Pasadena 91107 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 30 mi |
Public high schools in Palmdale
Palmdale has 5 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Palmdale mailing address (3 traditional, 1 charter, 1 continuation) in 2 districts, with 8,649 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope Valley Union High (opens in a new tab) | 4 | 7,574 |
| Palmdale Elementary (opens in a new tab) | 1 | 1,075 |
| School | District | Type | Students | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland High (opens in a new tab) | Antelope Valley Union High | Traditional | 2,725 | Lancaster (4.6 mi) |
| William J. (Pete) Knight High (opens in a new tab) | Antelope Valley Union High | Traditional | 2,325 | Lancaster (10 mi) |
| Palmdale High (opens in a new tab) | Antelope Valley Union High | Traditional | 2,106 | Lancaster (6.5 mi) |
| R. Rex Parris High (opens in a new tab) | Antelope Valley Union High | Continuation | 418 | Lancaster (4.9 mi) |
| Palmdale Academy Charter (opens in a new tab) | Palmdale Elementary | Charter | 1,075 | Lancaster (7.5 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
4 driving schools hold an Active California DMV license at an address inside Palmdale city limits or with a Palmdale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Driving School | E4740 | 310 East Palmdale Blvd Ste D, Palmdale | (661) 860-2219 |
| Omega Driving School | E4739 | 38326 30th St E, Palmdale | (661) 606-1161 |
| Right Way Driving School | E2199 | 1747 E Avenue Q Ste A3, Palmdale | (661) 288-2256 |
| Visions Driving School | E4607 | 38345 30th St East Suite F8, Palmdale | (661) 470-4331 |
Learning to drive in Palmdale: the SR 14/Palmdale Boulevard interchange
Palmdale Boulevard, which carries State Route 138, meets State Route 14 at a major freeway entrance. Palmdale and Caltrans have been rebuilding that interchange (opens in a new tab) between Avenue R and Avenue Q. The plans widen the off-ramps, reshape the two loop on-ramps and build a new three-lane ramp. Ramp closures and detours came with the work. On a loop ramp, read the posted advisory speed, brake before the curve, and use the whole ramp to reach freeway speed.
On city streets, Palmdale is focused on school corridors. A federal grant is paying for the 20th St. East Corridor project (opens in a new tab), a 1.92-mile stretch that serves three schools and over 5,500 students. Plans include sidewalks, bike lanes, better crosswalks and more lighting. In 2024, a new roundabout (opens in a new tab) was being built where Avenue S-8 meets 40th Street East. Around schools, drive slower than the limit when kids are out, and stop fully for anyone in a crosswalk.
The path to a license in Palmdale
- 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 Lancaster 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: Lancaster (8.2 mi) and Santa Clarita (28 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 Palmdale: SR-14/Palmdale Blvd. Interchange Improvements (SR-14, SR-138) (opens in a new tab)
- City of Palmdale: $5.3 Million Federal Grant for 20th St. East Corridor (opens in a new tab)
- City of Palmdale: Roundabout Sculpture Project (Avenue S-8 and 40th Street East) (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
See something wrong or out of date? Report a mistake on this page. We read every report and fix confirmed mistakes.