Durham Driving School: DMV-licensed lessons & test prep
Durham lessons start at Durham High School and are driven on Chico roads, where there is the most to practice. Durham is about 8 miles from our office, so the drive into Chico is part of the lesson.
Roads Durham students train on
Two-lane speed control and following distance.
Quiet residential streets for first-lesson control.
Multi-lane arterials, signals and lane choice.
Pedestrians, cyclists, one-way streets and tight parking.
On-ramps, merging and highway speed.
Where lessons start
Durham lessons start at Durham High School and are driven on Chico roads, where there is the most to practice. Students from Durham High School are welcome; the lesson starts at the meeting point, not at the school.
Learning to drive in Durham.
Durham students meet their instructor in the front parking lot of Durham High School. The first minutes on the Midway practice two-lane speed control and following distance, and the rest of the lesson is in Chico, which has the widest mix of practice roads in our area: quiet streets near Bidwell Park for control, the Esplanade for lane choice, downtown for pedestrians and cyclists, and Highway 99 once the student is ready. The lesson ends back at Durham High School.
The drive test
Durham students can book the drive test at the Chico DMV office, or at any office they prefer, on dmv.ca.gov. Call or text Stallion with your DMV appointment date, time and office to request test-day service and confirm coverage. How DMV drive test prep works →
- Chico DMV · 107 Parmac Rd #1, Chico, CA 95926
A typical 2-hour lesson for Durham students
- Start at Durham High School (front parking lot)
- The Midway into Chico: speed control and following distance
- Quiet Chico streets near Bidwell Park: controls, smooth stops and turns
- The Esplanade and downtown Chico: lane choice, signals, pedestrians and cyclists
- Highway 99 once the instructor sees the student is ready
- Back to Durham High School, with written notes on what to practice next
The instructor adjusts the route to the student's level. Teens: 6-hour behind-the-wheel training. Adults: adult driving lessons.
Durham questions.
Where do Durham lessons start?
At Durham High School, in the front parking lot. The booking page shows the spot before you confirm, and the lesson ends there too.
Why do Durham lessons practice in Chico?
Chico has the most to practice in one lesson: busy intersections, lane changes, downtown traffic and Highway 99. Durham is only about 8 miles away, so the drive in is practice too.
Can a Durham lesson start at home?
No. Durham lessons start and end at Durham High School. Families in Chico can choose pickup at home, school or work.
How much are driving lessons in Durham?
Diamond · 6-hour teen training (teens under 18): $522.49, or $499.99 cash or Zelle; Gold · single 2-hour lesson (adult learners; many use one Gold lesson as a road-test warm-up; call or text our office to request test-day service with our car): $208.99, or $199.99 cash or Zelle; DMV exam · prep + exam day (4 hours of training (2 × 2-hour lessons) + our car for your DMV road test): $417.99, or $399.99 cash or Zelle. Listed prices are for card payment online; paying cash or check to your instructor at the lesson, or Zelle costs less.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. Every student needs a valid California instruction permit (or license) to drive with us. Teens under 18 get the permit after finishing driver education (DL 400C) and passing the DMV written test, and bring the original permit to every lesson. Adults 18 and older can apply for a permit without driver education. Enroll in online drivers ed ($49.95) →
Driving lessons in Durham at a glance
| Pickup | Meet at Durham High School; lessons are driven on Chico roads |
|---|---|
| Local high schools | Durham High School |
| Distance from our Chico office | About 8 miles |
| Nearest DMV field offices | Chico DMV |
| Lessons | Private 2-hour lessons in dual-control SUVs, one student at a time |
| Teen 6-hour behind-the-wheel training | 3 × 2-hour lessons · $522.49 card or $499.99 cash |
| DMV license | E0271 (California DMV-licensed driving school) |
| Phone | 530-630-9998 (call or text) |