Teens in Paramount 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, about 2.3 miles in a straight line from Paramount's public high schools.
Where do Paramount 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 | 2.3 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 | 4.0 mi |
| 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 | 4.8 mi |
Public high schools in Paramount
Paramount has 1 active public high school inside city limits or with a Paramount mailing address (1 traditional) in 1 district, with 3,370 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.
| School | District | Type | Students | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount High | Paramount Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 3,370 | Bellflower (2.3 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
The DMV license list (checked 2026-10-04) shows no driving school with an Active license at an address in Paramount. Schools in nearby cities often pick students up across the area; check each school's service area and license on the DMV lookup (opens in a new tab).
Learning to drive in Paramount: street racing crackdowns and median work
Paramount has fought street racing and intersection takeovers for years (city update (opens in a new tab)). In 2020 it passed two ordinances that allow vehicle forfeiture and steep fines for spectators. In 2023, deputies received 199 calls about street racing, issued 183 spectator citations and impounded 41 vehicles. Even watching can cost you. If you come upon a takeover, do not stop or film it. Turn onto another street, lock your doors and drive away calmly.
Paramount also set out to upgrade 1.2 miles of medians on Downey and Rosecrans avenues (lane closure notice (opens in a new tab)). The plan called for new landscaping and decorative pavers. The work closed lanes near medians and left-turn pockets, and the city expected it to finish by late fall 2025. A crew on the water line for those medians worked on Alondra and Rosecrans. When a left-turn pocket is coned off, do not turn from the through lane. Go to the next safe turn and come back.
The path to a license in Paramount
- 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 (2.0 mi) and Downey (2.3 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 Paramount: Combating Crime, Updates on Street Racing Prevention (opens in a new tab)
- City of Paramount: Lane Closures Start June 23 (median and water line projects) (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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