Sierra County has no DMV office that takes permit applications; the nearest is the Truckee office in Nevada County, about 25 miles away. It has 3 active public high schools serving 131 students. Teens anywhere in the county can take California's 30-hour online driver education course, then the permit test at any DMV office.
DMV offices in Sierra County
No DMV office in Sierra County takes permit applications, so families drive to one of the offices below. Book on the DMV appointments page (opens in a new tab); what to bring is on our permit visit checklist.
| Office | Address | Hours | Phone | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truckee DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 11357 Donner Pass Road Suite I, Truckee 96162 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 25 mi |
| Quincy DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 1953 E Main Street Suite 3, Quincy 95971 | Tue, Thu 8 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 31 mi |
| Grass Valley DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 890 Sutton Way, Grass Valley 95945 | Mon, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 43 mi |
Cities in Sierra County: nearest DMV and high schools
Each incorporated city with its 2026 population, the number of public high schools inside it or with its mailing address, and the nearest DMV office to them. Families in unincorporated Sierra County use the office nearest home.
| City | Population (2026) | High schools | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyalton | 756 | 2 | Truckee (24 mi) |
Licensed driving schools in Sierra County
The DMV license list (checked 2026-10-04) shows no driving school with an Active license at an address in Sierra County. 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).
Driving in Sierra County: snow-country roads where GPS can mislead
Sierra County is rural, and the county itself warns drivers not to trust GPS or map apps for seasonal road conditions. Its winter safety page (opens in a new tab) says app directions can send drivers onto closed or unmaintained roads, which could be deadly. It also urges a full gas tank and a car kit with a phone charger, flashlight and cat litter for traction. Plan winter routes with a parent before you leave, using state highways and current road reports. If a shortcut looks unplowed, turn around.
State Route 89 runs from the Nevada County line to Sierraville, where it meets State Route 49. Caltrans plans to repave this stretch (opens in a new tab) and add pullouts for maintenance trucks, with construction scheduled from December 2028 to June 2029. In snow, Caltrans can set chain controls in three levels (opens in a new tab). Under R-2, a common level, chains are required unless you have four-wheel drive and snow tires on all four wheels. Practice putting chains on at home in dry weather, not in your first storm.
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)
- County of Sierra: Winter Safety (seasonal roads and GPS) (opens in a new tab)
- Caltrans District 3: State Route 89 Henness Pass Pavement Rehabilitation Project (SR 89) (opens in a new tab)
- Caltrans: Chain Controls and Chain Installation (winter travel) (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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