(a) Each applicant for licensing as a driving school owner shall designate his/her place of business or branch location(s). Upon inspection and approval by the department, separate locations used by the school exclusively as classrooms will be granted an exemption from licensing as separate places of business.

(b) A driving school branch location is any location, other than the principal place of business, maintained to provide driving school services. A branch location must comply with the requirements of Sections 320 and 11102(a)(3) of the California Vehicle Code. Upon approval of the department, the records may be maintained at another business location, provided a written instrument is filed with the department describing such other location.

(c) A driving school's established place of business and branch location(s) shall have erected or posted thereon outdoor and/or indoor signs or devices providing information stating the school's name, address, and office hours. Every such sign erected or posted on an established place of business or branch location(s) shall have an area of not less than two square feet per side displayed unless size is restricted by building lease agreement or local ordinance, and shall contain lettering of sufficient size to enable the sign or device to be read from a distance of at least 50 feet for an outdoor sign or 10 feet for an indoor sign.

(d) In the absence of the operator, the person left in charge of the office during the posted office hours shall be fully qualified and authorized to give pertinent information to the public concerning lessons and accounts and to give information to any representative of the department concerning the operation of the school.

(e) At least twenty-four hours notice must be given the department before any change in posted office hours.

(f) Each school shall file an application with the department accompanied by the required fees for any change of address of a driving school ten days before opening for business at any new location.