Driver Education Taught by Public School Teachers

Serving Sarasota and surrounding counties

Important Announcements

FWCDS uses only real public school teachers as instructors. State License #5156. All cars are fully insured, have dual brakes, and have front/rear cameras with audio. Free pick-up and drop-off are available within our service areas. You have found the best! 

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:

  • Learn to drive from professional teachers. All of our instructors are also experienced public school teachers.
  • 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

WE ARE NOW APPROVED FOR THE NEW 6 HOUR DETS COURSE! We were one of the first to be approved across the entire state...so know that you are working with the best & a leader in the industry. Don't be fooled by lower price sites or get tricked into taking any class that is more than 6 hours long!!!!!

  • Students under 18 years old need to complete a six (6) hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course available now at the PERMIT CLASSES TAB & take the learners permit test that is100% online. Learners permit test can be done on the same page (but separate registration). (Bundle then both coming next week)
  • Students under 18 years old who already completed a TLSAE course prior to August 1, 2025 use their TLSAE course completion certificate until it expires and may still take the learners permit test which can be done on the same page (but separate registration).
  • If you are over 18 AFTER AUGUST 1st take the 4 hour TLSAE class by clicking on PERMIT CLASSES TAB-HOWEVER you must go to a DMV office to take the learners permit test. It can not be done online!