Frequently Asked Questions
Are home study driver education courses legal in California?
Yes! The courts have repeatedly held that home study driver education classes are legal and have ordered DMV to accept completion certificates issued by schools offering home study driver education classes.
Will the California DMV accept my Certificate of Completion ?
Over 80,000 students have taken our home study driver education courses and received their licenses from DMV. We have had students from almost every high school in California take our courses.
Where do you get the DMV Certificate of Completion forms?
DMV provides the forms and some study materials to high schools registered with the California Department of Education who offer driver education classes.
Why shouldn't we wait and take drivers ed in public school for free?
You can, but many high schools don't offer driver ed until the sophomore year. Californians can get a learners permit at 15 and a half if they have completed a DMV approved driver ed class and are enrolled in driver training. More and more students are taking outside driver ed classes as freshmen.
Why take a home study course?
Today's students have busier schedules than ever before. Students are involved in football, basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming and other after school sports. They are also involved in drama, music, student government and other activities. Homework assignments are getting heavier, especially in world history, algebra and computer classes. Everyone is striving to raise your Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores and get admitted to a good college. It makes more sense to study at home on your own schedule in your spare time.
Do I still need to take driver training?
Yes, after you complete our course, you still need to sign up with a local driver training school for six hours of behind the wheel instruction. You can find a list of local driving schols at California Driver Training.
Do you have classes for other states?
No, at this time we only offer classes for Californians. Our classes are specifically designed to meet the requirements of the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Who can take this class?
Any high school student in California. Also, California students who are studying out of state as exchange students, etc., but who plan to apply for their license in California when they return. (We do not mail to addresses outside the United States, but you may have the study materials sent to your family here who can forward them overseas.)
Does it cost extra to get the certificate?
No, there are no hidden costs to complete our course and receive your DMV certificate.
I'm in a hurry, can you email or FAX my certificate of completion to me?
No, DMV requires that you bring their actual form to your local DMV office. Each certificate is printed by DMV and serially numbered and strictly controlled by DMV. Different types of DMV certificates are printed on different colors of paper. Traffic schools can transmit their completion certificates electronicall y to local traffic courts, but DMV requires original certificates from high schools and driving schools for new drivers.
Online Course
How does the online course work?
In order to take the online course you need to enroll online. The first step is to create and enter a username, password, and enter an email address to an email account that you have access to. The course is divided onto 4 sections of reading and an exam at the end of each section that you have to pass in order to go onto the next section. Once the 4th section is completed and passed, you will be prompted to enter your full legal name (as it appears on your birth certificate.) The following business day we will mail your certificate of completion.
What if I don’t pass a section?
If you don’t pass a section of the online course, the system will automatically take you back to the beginning of that section to repeat it until you pass.
I received a security warning while trying to register?
Some browsers generate a warning message: "The identity of the certificate issuer cannot be verified"
Every browser contains a list of "Trusted Sites" however the list must be updated periodically. Microsoft Internet Explorer has not been updated recently (especially for the Mac) and sometimes generates this error. More Information
I forgot my username, what do I do?
The Log-in page has a place to enter your email address and our computer will automatically send you your username and password to the email address you gave us when you registered.
I didn't receive an email from you
Please check the junk mail file in your email program. Your SPAM filters may have blocked or diverted our messages. We especially have problems with this from AOL.
Do I have to log in everytime?
No, if you check the "Remember me" box on the Log-in page , our server will remember your location and let you back in. If you are using a school computer or at a library, you should not use this feature, but you'll need to enter your username and password each time.
Your computer told me to choose another username, was my credit card charges twice?
No, your credit card is the last thing to be processed during registration. If there are any errors, we ask you to correct them before processing your credit card.
I received an alert message from my browser that said I was being transferred from a secure site to another site. Why?
Your registration and credit card information are processed in a "secure" area of our server. All information is encrypted and decrypted while passing through the internet. This is secure but slow. Once you have successfully registered, you are taken automatically to the ordinary "unsecure" portion of the server for the class materials. It makes the course materials process faster.
The type on the page is hard to read, how can I make it larger?
Every browser has a way to change your "preferences" You can change your font size in that file.
I finished the course and passed. When will I receive my DMV certificate?
The certificates are mailed from Sacramento every business day via first class mail. You should receive it within one to two days depending on where you live in California.
Ordering the Workbook Course by Mail
How long does it take to receive the class materials?
We mail your class materials by Priority Mail within one business day of receiving your registration form and payment. The mail seems to take about two days each way depending on where you live in California. Allowing for Sundays and postal holidays, you should receive the materials within a week at the most.
What if I don't pass? Is there any extra charge?
There is no extra cost for retesting at this time.
Most students pass the first time.
I finished the course and passed. When will I receive my DMV certificate?
The certificates are mailed from Sacramento every business day via first class mail. You should receive it within one to two days depending on where you live in California.
Occasionally Asked Questions
How long do I have to complete the course?
You have 90 days from registration to complete the course. You may apply for an extension under special circumstances. There is no charge for extensions.
I have completed driver education, what is the next step?
Once you have received your certificate of completion in the mail, the next step is to go to your local DMV office to take the written exam to obtain the learner’s permit. The permit will not be legal to drive with until the student has enrolled and completed at least one behind the wheel lesson, with a licensed drivers training instructor.
Does the certificate of completion expire?
Our DMV certificates of completion do not expire.
I've moved to another state, will they accept my certificate at their DMV?
We are "Cal Driver Ed" - our course is designed to comply with the California DMV requirements. If you move to another state before you apply for your California learners permit, the other state may not accept it, we do not offfer drivers ed courses for other states.
Refunds
Can I get a refund after registering?
There are no refunds except under special circumstances. Pacific High School has sole discretion over what it considers special circumstances. There are absolutely no refunds after 30 days.
Lost Certificates
It's been two weeks since I completed the class and I still have not received my DMV certificate of completion.
Occasionally students enters the wrong address or the Post Office is unable to deliver a certificate. You may request a duplicate certificate for free during the first 30 days after completing the course.
Request a duplicate Certificate of Completion (Be sure to click the free replacement button on the form.)
What if I lose or misplace my DMV certificate after completing the class?
DMV Completion Certificates are serially numbered and strictly controlled by DMV. Each replacement form must be individually processed and veriffied. There is a $25.00 processing fee to issue a replacement certificate. Do not lose your certificate.
Request a duplicate Certificate of Completion
You can also mail a check or money order made payable to Pacific High School, or fax or email the request along with a Visa or MasterCard number and expiration date for the payment.
Pacific High School
5777 Madison Ave, Suite 810
Sacramento, CA 95841
Fax (916) 338-0700
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