CHICO DRIVING ACADEMY
Teen Permit package: 6 hours, meets California's requirement · $615 · See packages →
BOOKING LESSONS SOON IN CHICO
Teen & Adult Driving Lessons in Chico
Building confidence from the Esplanade to Highway 99, one lesson at a time, with a patient, certified instructor who has taught over 2,500 lessons.
2-hour lessons from $209 · Teen Permit package $615
Taught by Todd Kuykendall
2,500+ lessons · Certified Instructor Trainer
✓ Background-checked & insured
✓ Dual-control car
✓ Free pickup & drop-off
Meet Your Instructor
I'm Matthew “Todd” Kuykendall, a California DMV-licensed driving instructor based in Chico. At two driving schools, including one of the largest in the country, I've taught more than 2,500 behind-the-wheel lessons and trained new instructors as a Certified Instructor Trainer. That experience taught me how to explain things clearly and keep students calm.
I teach only in Chico, using routes that build skills in a logical order, from quiet neighborhood streets to merging onto Highway 99 at Skyway.
Students also practice the turns that challenge new Chico drivers, like the unprotected left from East 1st Avenue onto the Esplanade near Chico High, and the blind left from West 11th Street onto Park Avenue near Chico Country Day School. They master these with an instructor beside them before facing them alone.
Families often request me by name. My goal is simple: every student leaves each lesson more capable and more comfortable than when they started.
What Previous Students Have Said
Reviews from lessons I taught as an instructor at a previous driving school.
“Matthew ‘Todd’ K. has been awesome with both of my boys taking the time to address all of the skills they need to pass their driving tests and be safe drivers. Both of my sons … have come home from their lessons feeling positive and confident in their skills.”
Janet S., parent of two students
“Todd K. was the best driving instructor that I had since I first learned how to drive. He was very patient with me … and he went into detail on topics like right of way rules and unprotected left turns.”
Ethan K.
“The instructor I've worked with, Todd, has been patient and informative on what the driving test does and doesn't look for. Extremely helpful and fun learning experience overall.”
Solomon
“Todd is amazing. Best person to have with me by my side during my first driving experience.”
Hunter A.
“Matthew Todd was extremely professional and full of very useful tips for new drivers. I felt very confident in his instruction!”
Michaelle P.
“Todd is an amazingly patient instructor. I highly recommend!”
Melissa M.
Locally Owned, Community Focused
Born out of a love for the Chico community, our academy is built on the belief that learning to drive should feel welcoming and encouraging. We take pride in being your local neighbors, providing patient, professional instruction that transforms nervous first-time drivers into confident graduates. Whether we're navigating familiar school zones, tackling tricky unprotected left turns, or merging onto Highway 99, our mission is to make every student feel safe, capable, and ready for the road ahead.
Our Lessons
How Our Lessons Progress
Lesson 1 · Build the Foundation
Lesson 2 · Expand Your Skills
Lesson 3 · Get Test-Day Ready
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DMV pre-drive checklist and vehicle controls
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Steering, turning and staying centered in your lane
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SMOG: Signal, Mirrors, Over the shoulder, Go when safe
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Scanning and the 3-second following rule
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Right-of-way, yielding and stopping at the right spot
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Backing along a curb (part of the DMV drive test)
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Parallel parking
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Freeway driving
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Unprotected left turns, including one of Chico's toughest
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Blind intersections
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Center left turn lanes, U-turns and roundabouts
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Full skills review and habit evaluation
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Coaching on anything that needs work
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Simulated pre-drive checklist to help prepare for test day
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Review of the DMV's critical driving errors
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15-minute mock road test, scored on a practice DMV score sheet you keep
Basic
Intermediate
Road Test Prep
Want more practice? After you've taken a lesson, you can repeat it as a practice session. We skip the whiteboard and spend the full 2 hours behind the wheel on whatever skills you choose. Teens receive their DMV-required Certificate of Completion after their 6th hour of instruction, at the end of Lesson 3.
Every lesson is 2 hours. Most teens take the three lessons in order, which meets California's 6-hour behind-the-wheel requirement. Each lesson starts with a parked whiteboard walkthrough of the new skills, then we head out and practice them on real Chico roads.
Expert Lesson Packages
Select the ideal package for your goals; every session includes 2 hours behind the wheel with local Chico pickup.
1 lesson · 2 hrs · your agenda: test prep, problem spots, or picking up after another school
2 hr
209 US dollars
2 hr
2 hr
5 lessons · 10 hrs · all three lessons plus 2 practice sessions on the skills you choose
2 hr
10 lessons · 20 hrs · all three lessons plus 7 practice sessions on the skills you choose
2 hr
Custom: $209
Teen Permit: $615
Road Test Ready: $899
Confidence Builder: $1,025
Complete Driver: $1,999
Pickup & Drop-off
We pick you up and drop you off at your home, school, or any agreed-upon location in Chico for every lesson.
Progress Feedback
After every lesson, the instructor sends a detailed progress report to students and parents. Packages of 3 or more lessons include a review of your driving habits and a mock DMV road test, scored on a practice DMV Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE) score sheet.
Trustworthy Training
Our lessons focus on real-world Chico driving routes, school zones, and tricky intersections to build true confidence.
Safety First
Your instructor is fully insured and has passed a DMV background check, and every lesson is in a dual-control vehicle with an instructor brake.