Teens in Rialto 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 San Bernardino office at 1310 N Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino, 4.9 to 7.2 miles in a straight line from Rialto's public high schools.
Where do Rialto 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 1310 N Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino 92404 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 5.7 mi |
| Fontana DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 8026 Hemlock Ave, Fontana 92336 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 5.8 mi |
| Redlands DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 1659 W Lugonia Avenue, Redlands 92374 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 9.8 mi |
Public high schools in Rialto
Rialto has 5 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Rialto mailing address (3 traditional, 1 continuation, 1 alternative) in 1 district, with 6,839 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rialto High | Rialto Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 2,596 | San Bernardino (4.9 mi) |
| Eisenhower High | Rialto Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 2,044 | San Bernardino (5.7 mi) |
| Wilmer Amina Carter High | Rialto Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 1,916 | Fontana (5.1 mi) |
| Dr. John H. Milor High Continuation (opens in a new tab) | Rialto Unified (opens in a new tab) | Continuation | 192 | San Bernardino (6.0 mi) |
| Zupanic Virtual Academy (opens in a new tab) | Rialto Unified (opens in a new tab) | Alternative | 91 | San Bernardino (6.0 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
One driving school holds an Active California DMV license at an address inside Rialto city limits or with a Rialto 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mas Driving School | E4649 | 519 W Foothill Blvd Ste C, Rialto | (951) 809-6673 |
Learning to drive in Rialto: freight traffic on Riverside Avenue and school routes
Freight traffic shapes driving in Rialto, especially on Riverside Avenue near I-10. The city's Riverside Avenue bridge project (opens in a new tab) crosses Union Pacific's West Colton Yard, one of the railroad's largest hubs. Industrial sites along the corridor send many trucks over the bridge. The plan extends the dual left-turn lanes for drivers heading to westbound I-10. It also adds a sidewalk all the way to Slover Avenue. Stay out of a truck's blind spots, and give it room to swing wide.
Rialto is preparing a Safe Streets for All safety action plan (opens in a new tab) to reduce deaths and serious injuries on its roads. Near Boyd Elementary, the city's Merrill Avenue Safe Routes to School project (opens in a new tab) adds sidewalks and upgraded curb ramps on several streets. The city has also improved the crosswalk (opens in a new tab) in front of Myers Elementary. Expect children walking and biking before and after school. Slow down near campuses, and come to a full stop for anyone in a crosswalk.
The path to a license in Rialto
- 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 San Bernardino 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: Fontana (4.5 mi) and San Bernardino (5.4 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 Rialto: I-10 / Riverside Avenue Freight Improvement Project, Phase II (opens in a new tab)
- City of Rialto: Safety Action Plan Survey (Safe Streets for All) (opens in a new tab)
- City of Rialto: Merrill Avenue Safe Routes to School Improvements Project (opens in a new tab)
- City of Rialto: Rialto Safe Routes to School (SRTS) (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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