Learn to Drive

Drive, but Smarter

THE 90/10 ADVANTAGE: DRIVING IS 90% MENTAL

Most schools only teach the 10%, the physical mechanics. We master the 90%; the road intelligence and the decision-making that keep you safe. We coach beyond the license, building the thoughtful awareness required to anticipate and neutralize hazards before they happen.

Option 1: BEHIND-THE-WHEEL TRAINING

Who It's For: Students 15 years and 0 months or older who have started or completed driver ed online/classroom elsewhere or have a permit. No permit required.

Advantage: Adaptive Coaching. We don't just instruct driving; we coach you to command your mental state while you drive.

Benefit: Driving with Clarity and Awareness: By training your brain to read the road proactively, we ensure you are prepared for changing conditions, making every drive feel more composed and controlled.

Driving Lessons Only Signup

OPTION 2: THE INTEGRATED ACADEMY PROGRAM: THE COMPLETE FOUNDATION, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DRIVE

Who's it for: Students 15 years and 0 months or older and starting from scratch. It includes the required online driver education theory and behind-the-wheel training needed for both a permit and a license.

Advantage: The Smarter Way to Your License: Why wait? With our dual-track system, you can start your online theory and your behind-the-wheel practice at the same time. By reinforcing online classroom concepts with on-road experience, you'll gain the context to ace your permit test and start developing safe driving instincts from day one.

Benefit: The "Early Start" Edge: Get a 6-Month Head Start - we can train you behind-the-wheel starting at 15 instead of 15 1/2.

Integrated Programs signup

The Integrated Program Advantage | The Driving Academy

Powered By the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy | The Driving Academy

The Methodology: The Co-Pilot PACE System

Our proprietary Co-Pilot PACE System is inspired by the high-stakes decision-making frameworks used in aviation. We've adapted these professional training models to the road, ensuring our students develop the situational awareness and proactive mindset required for a lifetime of safer driving.

Beyond the Checklist: We don't believe in just "checking boxes." We focus on building sharp, real-world road sense that remains with you long after you earn your license.
Coaching at Your Pace: We know every student processes the road differently. Our coaching adapts to your unique needs, replacing high-pressure instruction with a calm, personalized environment that builds confidence from the inside out.
The Early Advantage: Why wait? We provide professional behind-the-wheel coaching starting at age 15, giving you a 6-month head start on developing the advanced, road-ready instincts that define our program.
The Expert Difference: Our PACE system is the result of 30+ years of industry leadership-including curriculum development for the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy and the State of California. We bring world-class safety standards directly to you.

The Co-Pilot PACE Methodology: Our Mentorship

We aren't just instructors; we're mentors in the passenger seat. Our proprietary Co-Pilot PACE Methodology turns every drive into a collaborative, real-time conversation. By focusing on proactive decision-making, we ensure you don't just react to the road-you master the process.

Our Coaches

The Elite Coaching Difference | The Driving Academy

The Concierge Difference:

Your Dedicated Concierge Team. We speak DMV so you don't have to. With every DMV service product , we handle all the scheduling and red tape. From selecting the perfect program for your specific needs to navigating the licensing process, your personal advisors Rita and Geri, are available 7 days a week to provide seamless end-to-end guidance.

"I cannot recommend The Driving Academy more - phenomenal! My teenage son is a very busy student athlete, and Rita Shuster made scheduling a dream. My son’s instructor, Raul, was incredible - calm, experienced, professional, reliable, and an excellent teacher and enormous support during the entire process."

L. Breier

"We had another incredible experience with The Driving Academy! Our 16-year-old daughter just passed her road test, and her instructor, Raul, was patient, professional, and truly helped build her confidence behind the wheel. Russ and Tom run such a well-organized, high-quality program, and Rita makes scheduling completely seamless and stress-free, plus they all have such fun personalities. We actually used them four years ago for our son and had the same outstanding experience. Everyone is extremely professional, fully trained, and clear communicators, and the overall process felt safe and even enjoyable. We highly recommend The Driving Academy to any family!"

Gara D.

"Just passed my DMV test today! The Driving Academy was seriously the best. All the instructors were super nice and made me feel comfortable every step of the way. Russ was awesome — he always kept me calm and confident while driving. And Rita made scheduling everything so easy. If you’re learning to drive, I totally recommend them!"

K. Valdez

"The Driving Academy was amazing in helping my daughter get her driver’s license and teaching her how to drive! Every instructor was fantastic. Rita is super responsive and helps with everything. I can’t say enough good things about them!"

E. Mavromati

"I’ve used The Driving Academy for two of my kids, who have very different driving profiles and personalities. We’ve had excellent experiences in both cases. One of my children needed more instruction, but they both passed their behind-the-wheel test on the first try. Scheduling and communication are easy, and their staff is very helpful, flexible, and friendly. Rita and Raul were particularly great. I will most definitely use them again for the third kid."

M. Silva

"The Driving Academy is the best driving school out there! Such a dream team of teachers, I went from zero experience to a licensed confident driver under their instruction. Strongly recommend this company! Russ and Rita are the best."

E. Ackerman

"Russ is truly exceptional, and I would highly recommend The Driving Academy to any new or anxious driver. He is so charismatic, and I gained so much confidence in my driving capabilities after taking a few lessons with him. Our lessons were nothing short of entertaining and instructive. I have him to thank for my license, and for teaching me to “enjoy” driving in LA."

K. Smith

"Russ and his team are the best! They shaped my daughter into the confident driver that she is today. She passed her driving test the first time, and no one was more excited for her than Russ and his team. They are encouraging, supportive, and really care! I wouldn't use anyone else!"

P. Springsteen

"The Driving Academy is excellent in every way! They accommodated our daughter's busy schedule to arrange practice driving times that fit her. Raul was such a calm and informative driving teacher. The Driving Academy even took our daughter to the DMV for her driver's test, and she passed! Thank you to Rita and Raul and everyone at The Driving Academy!"

Alissa B.

"Had a great experience with The Driving Academy. Couldn’t have learned to drive and get my license the way I did without Russ and the rest of the guys' help. Thank you so much!! Really recommend anyone who needs help learning to drive or just needs tips to improve their driving to use this academy."

S. Maged

"Russ Shuster is amazing! He taught me so much about driving, and his tips made me very confident driving on my own. I would recommend this school to anyone in the greater Los Angeles area looking for the best driving school. 5 stars!!!"

J. Etessami

"We had the best experience with Rita and the drivers from The Driving Academy. The drivers are professional, kind, and patient. My daughter had never been behind the wheel. Now she’s driving on the freeways! They were always on time. Scheduling was easy and efficient. My daughter learned to drive, and they made her feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel. I’ll be back in 2 years for my son!!!"

K. Lang