Teens in Pico Rivera 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 Montebello office at 424 N Wilcox Avenue, Montebello, 2.8 to 3.1 miles in a straight line from Pico Rivera's public high schools.
Where do Pico Rivera 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montebello DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 424 N Wilcox Avenue, Montebello 90640 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 3.0 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 | 3.5 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 | 3.6 mi |
Public high schools in Pico Rivera
Pico Rivera has 2 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Pico Rivera mailing address (1 traditional, 1 continuation) in 1 district, with 2,115 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Rancho High (opens in a new tab) | El Rancho Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 1,947 | Montebello (3.1 mi) |
| Ruben Salazar Continuation (opens in a new tab) | El Rancho Unified (opens in a new tab) | Continuation | 168 | Montebello (2.8 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 Pico Rivera. 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 Pico Rivera: fast passenger trains and a planned station
Metrolink and Amtrak trains cross Pico Rivera on the line from Los Angeles to Anaheim (Regional Rail Station (opens in a new tab)). None of them stop in the city. Metro has begun a feasibility study for a new station in downtown Pico Rivera, next to the Rio Hondo bike path. Until a station exists, trains pass through at speed. At a crossing, never try to beat a lowering gate. Wait until the gates are fully up and the lights stop flashing before you cross.
The city is also planning for a proposed light rail station at Washington and Rosemead boulevards (Washington Blvd. plan (opens in a new tab)). It is part of Metro's Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2. Its specific plan calls for mixed uses and more walking and biking within half a mile of that corner. Busy rail corners bring more people on foot and more buses. Near Washington and Rosemead, check every crosswalk before turning, and yield to anyone already in it.
The path to a license in Pico Rivera
- 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 Montebello 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: Montebello (2.8 mi) and Whittier (3.4 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 Pico Rivera: Pico Rivera Regional Rail Station (opens in a new tab)
- City of Pico Rivera: Washington Blvd. Transit-Oriented Development Specific Plan (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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