Teens in Windsor 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 Santa Rosa office at 2570 Corby Ave, Santa Rosa, about 10 miles in a straight line from Windsor's public high schools.
Where do Windsor 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 2570 Corby Ave, Santa Rosa 95407 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 10 mi |
| Petaluma DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 715 - J Southpoint Boulevard, Petaluma 94954 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 22 mi |
| Clearlake DMV office (opens in a new tab) | 15930 Dam Rd, Unit B, Clearlake 95422 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 am–5 pm; Wed 9 am–5 pm | 1-800-777-0133 | 29 mi |
Public high schools in Windsor
Windsor has 3 active public high schools inside city limits or with a Windsor mailing address (1 alternative, 1 traditional, 1 continuation) in 1 district, with 1,819 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor High | Windsor Unified (opens in a new tab) | Traditional | 1,753 | Santa Rosa (10 mi) |
| Windsor Oaks Academy | Windsor Unified (opens in a new tab) | Continuation | 38 | Santa Rosa (10 mi) |
| Big Picture Learning Windsor | Windsor Unified (opens in a new tab) | Alternative | 28 | Santa Rosa (10 mi) |
Licensed driving schools for the 6 hours of training
One driving school holds an Active California DMV license at an address inside Windsor city limits or with a Windsor 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take Me Driving Kandras Driving School | E4524 | 148 Johnson Street, Windsor | (707) 838-3100 |
Learning to drive in Windsor: Old Redwood Highway under US 101 and a bike-lane pilot
Old Redwood Highway is one of Windsor's busiest roads and a main link to US 101. The town's downtown crossing project (opens in a new tab) plans a two-way cycle track and a wider walkway under the freeway. The work covers Old Redwood Highway between Conde Lane and 4th Street, with signal changes and new lighting. Construction is expected in summer 2027. Under the freeway, watch for people walking and biking near the ramps, and keep clear of crosswalks while you wait.
At Old Redwood Highway and Lakewood Drive, Windsor is testing posts along the bike lane. The pilot program (opens in a new tab) targets drivers who slip into the bike lane too soon to get around a line of cars. State law lets you enter a bike lane within 200 feet of an intersection to turn right, after yielding to riders. The pilot adds delineators, new striping and Yield to Bikes signs. Move into the bike lane only near the corner, after a shoulder check, and never use it to pass.
The path to a license in Windsor
- 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 Santa Rosa 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: Santa Rosa (7.0 mi) and Rohnert Park (16 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)
- Town of Windsor: Downtown Pedestrian & Bicycle Crossing of US 101 (opens in a new tab)
- Town of Windsor: Old Redwood Highway at Lakewood Drive Class IV Bicycle Lane Pilot Program (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 6, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
See something wrong or out of date? Report a mistake on this page. We read every report and fix confirmed mistakes.