The following are commonly asked questions on the procedures and rules regarding our driver education program.

REGISTRATION AND PRELIMINARY STEPS FOR DRIVER EDUCATION ....

Q: Do I obtain the learner permit prior to registration?
A: No. You will need to register with Drive Zone with a minimum deposit of $50. With this deposit, we will issue you the CDE form needed for your teen to obtain their Driver Education Learner Permit. This deposit is of course applied toward the course fee.

Q: When can my teen obtain their Driver Education Learner Permit?
A: Once your teen turns at least 15 years of age, we can issue the CDE form to you at the time of your deposit, you can obtain the Driver Education Learner Permit any time within 3 weeks of the start date of the class.

Q: What identification does my teen need to provide to the BMV when obtaining the Driver Education Learner Permit?
A: In addition to the CDE form, they will need 4 pieces of identification. Primary (such as birth certificate), Secondary (such as School Photo Id), Social Security Card, and Proof of Indiana Residency. See our link to "Bureau of Motor Vehicles" on the Resources menu for complete details on the Identification requirements.  For a complete list if ID requirements, please visit the Indiana BMV's website at www.state.in.us/bmv/3470.htm

Q: Does my teen take a Written Exam at the BMV in order to get their Driver Education Learner Permit?
A: No. They will take a vision test only. Understand the the Driver Education Learner Permit is actually two items, the plastic card with the picture AND the paper form that is needed to document their grades and completion of driver education.  They will however be required to pass the BMV written exam when they are applying for their operator license.

 

Q: What is the cost of our program?

A: Since our fees and discounts vary from time to time, please call or "contact-us" from this web-site and we will be happy to discuss all fees, discounts, and payment options.  Unlike other programs, you are only asked to pay a minimum $50 deposit to formally register and pay the remaining balance of the course-fee in 2 payments. 

 

Q: Is the course fee due on or before the course begins?
A: No. Although many parents pay this course fee on or before the first class, we also allow the parent to make payments at no additional charge. Feel free to discuss this payment plan with our administative staff.



IN-CAR INSTRUCTION....

Q: Once we have the Driver Education Learner Permit, when can our teen begin practice driving?
A: Their program MUST commence before they can practice with you. Generally, this means that they can practice with you after their first day of classroom.

Q: Who can our teen practice with?
A: During the driver education program, they can only practice with parent, guardian, or drive instructor. Once they have completed driver education, they can additionally practice with ANY relative who is at least 21yrs old and a licensed driver and in the front seat adjacent to the student driver. 

Q: When will my teen begin in-car instruction with Drive Zone? During their course or following the completion of their classroom?
A: We want them to begin their in-car training with our instructors right away so we strive to schedule most of their 6 drives while they are still taking their class work with Drive Zone.  Our priority is to balance the in-car training with each student in the classes with the amount of personal practice and availability they have.  Some students need more time for personal practice between each in-car training drive and therefore we want to consider this need.

Q: Is the in-car instruction completed within the classroom hours?
A: No. Our Driver Education program is 36 hours. Our various course schedules comprise of 30 hours of classroom curriculum. We have 12 class sessions at 2.5 hours each. Additionally, we schedule 6 drives at 1 hour each. We generally complete no more then 2 drives per week. It is important that your teen has time to practice new skills with their parent between their drives with our instructor. We strive to develop a drive schedule that meets you and your teen's availability and schedule.

Q: Will there be any other teens in the car during training drives with Drive Zone?
A: NO. We feel very strongly that your investment in driver education for your teen, requires personal one-to-one driver training. We do not believe that a new teen driver in the back seat, observing another new teen driver behind the wheel, offers any benefit at all. Driving involves focus, and other teen(s) in the car are a distraction to the student driver.  Your teen DESERVES this individual attention.


FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF DRIVER EDUCATION....

Q: Once my teen has completed Driver Education, are they required to take a Drive Exam? If so, can they take their drive test with Drive Zone after they have completed their program?
A: Yes, all applicants for a driver license must take a Drive Exam. Yes, Drive Zone is an approved Drive Test Waiver school which allows us to offer the road test to any students completing with a grade of B or higher for the driving and classroom portion.

Q: When can my teen schedule this Waiver Drive Exam with Drive Zone?
A: We recommend you to wait until they have practiced with you over several months and close to their 16th birthday before they schedule their test. If already 16, we encourage them to schedule this test near the point that they have held their permit for 60 days. The important consideration is since this is the only physical drive test that they will ever take, they need to be ready to complete the skills without any guidance from parent nor examiner.

Q: What if my teen fails the Waiver Drive Test with Drive Zone?
A: For one, they will be informed of the elements and skills that they are not performing safely and skillfully. Next, they will take the Written Exam at the BMV if they are at least 16 year 1 month. Once they pass the Written Exam, they will schedule the Drive Exam at the BMV.

Q: What if my teen passes the Waiver Drive Test with Drive Zone yet fails the Written Test at the BMV?
A: This has changed recently and now, even if they fail their first written test at the BMV, the waiver drive test will remain valid and they will not need to re-take it at the BMV.