Driver Education Taught by Public School Teachers


Serving Sarasota and surrounding counties


Important Announcements

We are now approved for the NEW 6-hour driver education course! As the first driving school to be approved in Florida, you can be assured that we are the best in the industry. Don't be fooled by lower prices or tricked into taking any class that is more than six hours long. 

Students under 18 must complete six hours of Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) and pass the online learner's permit test. Learn more and register.

Students under 18 who completed a TLSAE course before August 1 may use their TLSAE course completion certificate (until it expires) to take the learner's test. Learn more and register.

Students over 18 who are not enrolled in school after August 1 must take the 4-hour online course and visit a DMV office to take the learner's permit test. Learn more and register.

Professional Driver Education

Providing Services in all of Sarasota County, Lakewood Ranch, Englewood, and Port Charlotte Areas

Florida West Coast Driving School offers benefits you can't find at other driving schools, including:

  • Free pick-up and drop-off are available within our service areas.
  • All of our instructors are also experienced public school teachers. State License #5156.
  • All cars are fully insured, equipped with dual brakes, and feature front/rear cameras with audio capabilities.
  • Several Florida public school districts use our driver education program.
  • Benefit from a locally owned and operated business with over 30+ years of experience.
  • Our owner trains and certifies all driver education instructors in our area, even those who work for our competition.
  • All vehicles are GPS and video recorded for everyone's safety.

Private Driving Lessons

All driving lessons are one-on-one, tailored to your skill level, and given in real traffic conditions, not on a closed course or simulator. We offer home pick-up and drop-off services in Manatee & Sarasota County, and service is available in Charlotte County (see exceptions below).

All lessons are two hours in length, except for a single one-time 1-hour purchase. The one-hour only purchase MAY NOT include free pick up depending on how far you live from your nearest instructor's house. This is usually a "Test Prep" lesson anyway, so many times you will meet the instructor at a place conducive to teaching the test prep skills. If it doesn't work out, we will refund your money for the one-hour purchase, so don't worry.

ALL OF MANATEE COUNTY

  • Free pick up and drop off for ALL of Manatee County

ALL OF SARASOTA COUNTY

  • Free pick up and drop off for ALL of Sarasota County

MOST of CHARLOTTE COUNTY

  • Englewood Area
  • Port Charlotte Area
  • Residents of all other areas of Charlotte County may have to meet us in Englewood or Port Charlotte