Teens in South Pasadena 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 Lincoln Park office at 3529 N Mission Road, Los Angeles, about 4.1 miles in a straight line from South Pasadena's public high schools.
Where do South Pasadena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Park DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 3529 N Mission Road, Los Angeles 90031 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 4.1 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 | 5.2 mi |
| 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 | 6.5 mi |
Public high schools in South Pasadena
South Pasadena has 1 active public high school inside city limits or with a South Pasadena mailing address (1 traditional) in 1 district, with 1,496 students enrolled in the 2025-26 school year. Most teens reach 15½, the earliest permit age, in 9th or 10th grade (Education Code 48000 (opens in a new tab) sets the school entry age). Finish the online course before then: the permit application needs the DL 400C.
| School | District | Type | Students | Nearest DMV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Pasadena Senior High | South Pasadena Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 1,496 | Lincoln Park (4.1 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
One driving school holds an Active California DMV license at an address inside South Pasadena city limits or with a South Pasadena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Pass Driving School Inc | E2144 | 1136 Fremont Ave Suite 108, South Pasadena | (626) 692-3487 |
Learning to drive in South Pasadena: a tricky Mission Street junction and a traffic study map
Near Arroyo Seco Park, Mission Street meets Pasadena Avenue and Arroyo Drive at two closely spaced, complex intersections (city news release (opens in a new tab)). They are key ways into Arroyo Vista Elementary School, the park and local transit. A grant-funded project is weighing a new layout, clearer signs and curb and lane narrowing to shorten crossings. The city held a community meeting on the design ideas on October 5, 2026. Approach these corners slowly, pick your lane early and expect children crossing before and after school.
South Pasadena keeps a Traffic Study Map of the intersections and streets that residents report most often (traffic safety page (opens in a new tab)). Each spot on the map shows when the report came in, which study is under way and its status. Results and an estimated finish date are added as the work moves along. Staff review each report to decide what changes would make the spot safer. If a place on your practice route is on the map, drive it more slowly and scan for walkers.
The path to a license in South Pasadena
- 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 Lincoln Park 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: Alhambra (2.6 mi) and San Gabriel (3.1 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 South Pasadena: Community Meeting for Mission-Pasadena-Arroyo Intersection (Sept. 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- City of South Pasadena: Traffic Safety Improvements (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 6, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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