San Diego Clairemont DMV
Primary DMV Hub for Coastal & North-Central San Diego
San Diego Clairemont DMV is the central California DMV hub for coastal and north-central San Diego, handling permits, licenses, REAL ID, IDs, and road tests just off Derrick Dr near Balboa Ave and I-805. The Clairemont office sits just west of I-805 and north of Balboa Ave, making it convenient for students from Clairemont, Bay Park, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Linda Vista, and parts of Mira Mesa and Kearny Mesa. This page helps San Diego students choose a driving school, understand the Clairemont DMV office, and get ready to pass the California driving test on the first try.
San Diego Clairemont DMV Field Office
4375 Derrick Dr
San Diego, CA 92117
County: San Diego County
🕐 Office Hours
⚠️ Wednesday opens at 9 AM
💡 Pro Tip: Appointments are required via the CA DMV online system. Mid-week mornings often have the most reliable wait times. For additional capacity, other San Diego DMV offices (Chula Vista, El Cajon, San Ysidro) serve different parts of the county.
- Driver License Applications & Renewals
- REAL ID
- ID Cards
- Learner Permits
- Written Exams
- Standard Class C Road Tests (by appointment)
- Vehicle Registration
- DMV Now Self-Service Kiosk
| City | Distance | Drive Time | Population | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clairemont | 0 miles | 0 min | 82,000+ | View Guide |
| Pacific Beach | 4 miles | 10 min | 45,000+ | View Guide |
| La Jolla | 5 miles | 12 min | 47,000+ | View Guide |
| Bay Park | 2 miles | 5 min | 12,000+ | View Guide |
| Linda Vista | 3 miles | 8 min | 35,000+ | View Guide |
| Mira Mesa | 6 miles | 15 min | 80,000+ | View Guide |
| Kearny Mesa | 4 miles | 10 min | 25,000+ | View Guide |
San Diego Clairemont runs busy Class C road tests in a mix of multi-lane arterials and neighborhood streets. Examiners look for safe lane changes, smooth turns, and proper speed control around Balboa Ave and surrounding corridors.
Common Test Areas:
- Derrick Dr near DMV
- Balboa Ave corridor
- Clairemont Mesa Blvd
- Genesee Ave
- Residential streets in Clairemont
- I-805 frontage areas
Route Characteristics:
- Multi-lane arterial right and left turns
- Lane changes on Balboa Ave
- Residential segments with stop signs
- Speed control around neighborhoods
- Right-of-way decisions at intersections
- Pre-trip inspection (signals, brake lights, horn, parking brake, windshield)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Mixed arterial and residential driving. Practice Balboa Ave, Clairemont Mesa Blvd, and nearby neighborhoods.
Based on review analysis and local data, these are the spots where students fail most often:
Balboa Ave Lane Changes
Balboa Ave is a busy multi-lane arterial. Lane changes require proper mirror and blind spot checks.
💡 Tip: Signal → Mirror → Head check (blind spot) → Move smoothly. Make it obvious to the examiner that you're checking.
Intersection Turns
Several right and left turns at lights and stop signs near Derrick Dr require proper lane positioning.
💡 Tip: Turn into the nearest lane. Don't drift wide on turns. Complete the turn before changing lanes.
Rolling Stop Signs
Residential areas have many stop signs. Rolling through any stop sign is an automatic fail.
💡 Tip: Make a COMPLETE stop (count 1-2-3) at every stop sign. Stop BEFORE the limit line or crosswalk.
Scanning & Speed Control
Residential segments require proper scanning and low-speed control. Examiners watch for speed and awareness.
💡 Tip: In residential areas, stay under 25 mph. Scan ahead for pedestrians, children, and cars backing out.
Balboa Ave & Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Practice multi-lane arterial driving including lane changes and turns
Genesee Ave Area
Practice turns and traffic management on a major San Diego arterial
Clairemont Residential
Practice stop signs, speed control, and scanning in neighborhoods
- Confirm your driving school is DMV-approved and on the California driving school list
- Ask if they regularly send students to Clairemont DMV and know examiner expectations
- Practice on Balboa Ave, Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Genesee Ave, and nearby residential streets
- Look for reviews mentioning "Clairemont DMV," "San Diego DMV driving test," or "Derrick Dr DMV"
- Book mid-week morning appointments for most reliable wait times
- Don't roll through stop signs - make complete stops
- Don't forget blind spot checks on lane changes
- Don't drift wide on turns - stay in your lane
- Don't speed in residential areas
- Don't let San Diego traffic intimidate you
- Appointment confirmation
- Valid learner permit (for road test)
- Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate)
- Social Security card or W-2
- Two proofs of California residency
- Vehicle registration (current)
- Proof of insurance
- DL 44 form (can be completed online)
Important Local Tip
Local Clairemont and coastal San Diego driving schools (ZIP codes 92117, 92109, 92111) usually offer lessons within 10-15 minutes of the DMV via Balboa Ave, Clairemont Mesa Blvd, or I-805. Many have 4.5★+ Google ratings. Instructors familiar with Clairemont DMV know typical examiner expectations.