CHICO DRIVING ACADEMY
General Questions
Who needs behind-the-wheel lessons and when?
In California, teens between the ages of 15½ and 17½ are required to complete six hours of professional behind-the-wheel training. Our most popular 3-lesson package is specifically designed to meet this state requirement while building safety and confidence.
What is covered in each lesson package?
All packages consist of 2-hour private lessons in our dual-control vehicle. We focus on real-world Chico driving: lane positioning, turning, hazard recognition, defensive driving, and freeway navigation. Each session ends with a progress report sent to student and parents.
How does the online driver's ed work?
California teens must complete a 30-hour driver's education course before getting a learner's permit. Our online course is coming soon. It will be $49.95 per student, self-paced, and work on a phone or computer, so it's easy to fit around school. Once you've finished driver's ed and have your permit, you're ready to start behind-the-wheel lessons. Call us for details.
Where do pickup and drop-off occur?
We aim for convenience with true local service. The instructor can pick up and drop off students at home, school, or any agreed-upon location in Chico. This service is included in the package price to make the learning experience as seamless as possible for families.
Do you provide a car for the DMV test?
Yes, with our Road Test Ready package. It includes a test-day warm-up and the use of our dual-control vehicle for your DMV road test appointment. Our test prep sessions are designed to simulate Chico DMV testing conditions, focusing on specific criteria like SMOG and safe vehicle operation.
What is the cancellation and booking policy?
Cancellations or rescheduling are free when made at least 48 hours in advance or within one hour of booking. Changes made less than 48 hours before your lesson use up that lesson at full price, though a restoration option is available. We require at least two days between lessons for student practice.
What if I'm not happy with a lesson?
We stand behind every lesson. If you're not satisfied with a lesson for any reason, let us know within 48 hours and we'll schedule a redo lesson at no charge. One free redo per package.
Booking & Cancellation
We aim to be flexible for our families. Cancellations or rescheduling requests made 48 hours or more before your lesson (or within 1 hour of booking) are handled free of charge. Changes made less than 48 hours before your lesson are late changes, and the lesson is used at full price to respect our instructor's schedule. Students who are no-shows or more than 15 minutes late will also be charged for the session. In cases of serious emergencies, please reach out to us for a review.
Lesson Restoration Fee
$95 per lesson
Need to get a used lesson back? Students can pay a one-time fee to restore a lesson to their package balance. This helps teens complete their required CA six-hour training without losing progress. There are no automatic charges and we do not keep cards on file.