Teen Neurodiverse Driving Lessons (Under 18)
At Turn Signal Driving School, we specialize in teaching teens with Autism, ADHD, and learning differences to drive safely and confidently. Our driving instructors hold additional specialized certifications. We strive to create a respectful, encouraging environment that meets each student’s individual needs. Lessons are 90 minutes in length and available 7 days a week.
What to Expect
Our Neurodiverse Driver Training for students under the age of 18 years includes the mandatory California DMV requirement of 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction delivered in four 90-minute sessions.
We develop a customized training plan based on your learning style, experience, and progress. We begin with the basics of driving:
- Proper seat setup, mirror adjustment, and blind spot checks
- A demonstration drive by your instructor, reviewing operational controls
- Commentary driving through verbal observation of the driving environment
Students are guided through each stage of learning—practicing 2–3 targeted skills per session—building comfort and confidence gradually.
Parents or support persons aged over 25 are shown how to reinforce these techniques at home using the same commentary method. It’s important we are a united team.
As your skills and confidence grow, you’ll learn how to:
- Control the vehicle and maintain lane position, smooth stops and starts
- Understand and navigate intersections, traffic signals and road signs
- Visually scan and anticipate other driver behavior, practice left and right turns in residential neighborhoods
- Navigate light traffic, lane changes, curb parking and backing up skills
When ready, we’ll introduce more advanced skills:
- Unprotected turns, U-turns, and center lane use
- Parking lot and parallel parking
- Introductory freeway driving and DMV road test review
Defensive driving is emphasized throughout all lessons. At our driving school we strive to maximize your learning at a pace that works for you. Each lesson includes personalized feedback, safety coaching, and assigned homework, including access to online instructional videos and interactive learning tools. If needed, we loan out a digital tablet with a refundable deposit.
At the end of your 6 hours, all of our neurodiverse students receive the CA DMV issued Certificate of Completion. But, we may be of the opinion that you need more practice and skill development before taking the road test. We will clearly explain which skills you need to continue to develop and practice. We are here to support you every step of the way—our top priority is ensuring you become a safe, responsible, and confident driver.
Training Vehicles
All lessons take place in insured, school-owned vehicles with:
- Dual brake and gas pedals
- Instructor mirror and dash cam
- Student driver decals
- Automatic transmissions
Requirements
Bring your valid California Instruction Permit to each lesson. Lessons are taught in English and are 90 minutes long.
Scheduling
Once enrolled and prepaid, you'll receive an email with your Student Portal login to schedule lessons online. Prefer to schedule by phone? We're happy to help. Call / text 925-989-1847.
Health & Safety
- Stay home if you have cold, cough or flu-like symptoms
- Vehicles are disinfected between lessons
- Hand sanitizer is available in all vehicles
- Masks are optional and will be provided
Service Area & Travel Fees
We provide instruction in all areas of the San Francisco Bay Area. We offer free pick-up/drop-off in Pleasanton, Sunol, Livermore, and Dublin.
For service in San Ramon, Danville, Blackhawk, Alamo, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, or Walnut Creek:
- $20.00 travel fee each way
Outside these areas:
- Travel fees start at $20.00 (based on zip code)
There is NO fee if you meet at our office:
4450 Black Ave, Suite D, Pleasanton, CA
Cancellations
To avoid a cancellation fee of $100.00 please notify us at least 24 hours in advance.
Cancel via the Student Portal or call or text us at 925-989-1847.
Additional Classes Offered
We also offer specialized lessons including:
- Parallel Parking
- Night Driving
- Freeway Lessons
- Defensive Driving
Learn more under “Specialized Lessons” on our Services Offered page.
Young Adult & Adult Neurodiverse Driving Lessons (Ages 18+)
At Turn Signal Driving School, we specialize in helping young adults and adult drivers with Autism, ADHD, or learning differences build confidence, skills, and road safety in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Our experienced instructors are trained traffic safety professionals with specialized certifications. Lessons are available seven days a week and are tailored to each student’s unique learning style, goals, and experience level. Lessons are 90 minutes in length and available 7 days a week.
What to Expect
We develop a customized plan based on whether you’re a beginner or already have some driving experience. You may have a California Instruction Permit or your Driver License and need some additional training.
Many young adult drivers will get their Instruction Permit while they are in high school but missed completing the 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. This can be for many different reasons and we understand that. Every driver is at a different stage with different learning styles and needs.
If you are 18 years and older, you are not required by the DMV to complete the 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. However, it is still critical to your safety, your passengers and to other drivers that you learn the basics of driving and the fundamental driving skills which will help equip you to be a safe responsible driver.
Skipping driving lessons and learning to drive with a friend or trying to learn on your own can add to your stress levels and sometimes lead to devastating consequences. Your confidence and comfort level is an important focus as you are developing your driving skills.
Depending on where your skills are at, we may start with the basics of driving:
- Proper seat setup, mirror adjustment, and blind spot checks
- A demonstration drive by your instructor
- Introduction to commentary driving, a proven strategy where you and your instructor verbalize what you see on the road to build awareness and decision-making skills
You will be guided through each stage of learning—practicing 2–3 targeted skills per lesson—building comfort and confidence gradually.
As your skills and confidence grows, you’ll learn how to:
- Control the vehicle and maintain lane position, smooth stops and starts
- Understand and navigate intersections, traffic signals and road signs
- Visually scan and anticipate other driver behavior, practice left and right turns in residential neighborhoods
- Navigate light traffic, lane changes
- Curb parking and backing up skills
When ready, we’ll introduce more advanced skills:
- Unprotected turns, U-turns, and center lane use
- Parking lot and parallel parking
- Introductory freeway driving and DMV road test review
- Defensive driving techniques are emphasized with all lessons
We also work with your parent, guardian, or support person to reinforce lessons between sessions using commentary driving and skill-specific strategies. It’s important we are a united team.
We strive to maximize your learning at a pace that works for you. Each lesson includes personalized feedback and assigned homework, including access to online video lessons and interactive learning tools. If you don’t have access to a digital tablet, we loan out a digital tablet with a refundable deposit.
Our goal is to ensure you are prepared, safe, and confident—and when you're ready for the DMV test, you’ll know.
Training Vehicles
All lessons take place in insured, school-owned vehicles with:
- Dual brake and gas pedals
- Instructor mirror and dash cam
- Student driver decals
- Automatic transmissions
Requirements
- Bring your valid California Instruction Permit (for new drivers) or Driver License.
Scheduling
Once enrolled and prepaid for your first lesson, you'll receive an email with your Student Portal login to schedule your lesson online. Prefer to schedule by phone? We're happy to help. Call / text 925-989-1847.
Health & Safety
- Stay home if you have cold, cough or flu-like symptoms
- Vehicles are disinfected between lessons
- Hand sanitizer is available in all vehicles
- Masks are optional and will be provided
Service Area & Travel Fees
We provide instruction in all areas of the San Francisco Bay Area. We offer free pick-up/drop-off in Pleasanton, Sunol, Livermore, and Dublin.
For service in San Ramon, Danville, Blackhawk, Alamo, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, or Walnut Creek:
- $20.00 travel fee each way
Outside these areas:
- Travel fees start at $20.00 (based on zip code)
There is NO fee if you meet at our office:
4450 Black Ave, Suite D, Pleasanton, CA
Cancellations
To avoid a cancellation fee of $100.00 please notify us at least 24 hours in advance.
Cancel via the Student Portal or call or text us at 925-989-1847.
Additional Classes Offered
We also offer specialized lessons including:
- Parallel Parking
- Night Driving
- Freeway Lessons
- Defensive Driving
Learn more under “Specialized Lessons” on our Services Offered page.
