Green Light Driving Academy - Teen Driver Education – FAQs

New and Updated Information:  3/26/2012, see ***

 

 

The FAQs for the teen driver education program at Green Light Driving Academy follow the guidelines and requirements for Teen Driver Education from Region XIII – Education Service Center and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and only pertain to the way that Green Light Driving Academy has adopted these requirements.  For more information about the state guidelines – refer to these sites:

§  Region XIII Education Service Center - Driver Training and Education

§  Texas Department of Public Safety FAQs

 

What does the program at Green Light Driving Academy provide for my teen?

Green Light Driving Academy offers a state-approved driver education course for teenagers that is held in two phases.

o    Phase I: 32 hours of classroom instruction (16 days, 2 hours per day)

Ř  September – May: classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday for 4 Weeks

Ř  June – August: classes are scheduled Monday through Friday for 3 weeks, but include ONE Saturday class.

Ř  NOTE:  There may be other times during the year when a 3-week schedule will be used, for example around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

o    Phase II: 14 hours of in-car (behind-the-wheel) instruction (7 lessons, 2 hours per lesson) (“drive times”)

Ř  The in-car instruction includes 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and 7 hours of observation of another student driving. The in-car instruction is scheduled as 2-hour drive times so that the student can get one hour of driving and one hour of observation in one drive time.

Ř  The in-car instruction is more flexible and can be scheduled around the student's other activities and the school's available drive time hours.  Once the student has possession of their permit AND they have completed the classroom schedule of instruction, they can schedule their drive times through our on-line scheduling system, Schedule 2 Drive.  The student must schedule ALL drive times on-line at www.Schedule2Drive.com.

Ř  The state of Texas also requires parents to drive and log a minimum of 20 hours with their student.  These hours can be entered and tracked in the online program, Schedule 2 Drive

 

If I want to take the parent-taught program for the classroom instruction or the driving instruction – do you offer a program where I can take only the classroom or the driving with your school? ***

 

Yes, we do offer a CLASSROOM ONLY or a DRIVING ONLY program at Green Light Driving Academy.

 

Please refer to our teen driving information on our website here č TEEN DRIVING PROGRAMS

 

How much does the program at Green Light Driving Academy cost? 

Refer to our complete fee listing č FEE LIST

 

What is DADAP?

 

Read more about DADAP here č DADAP

 

What is the Parent Logged Driving instruction required for all teen driving students?

 

Read more about the required Parent Logged Driving Instruction here č PARENT LOGGED DRIVING INSTRUCTION

 

How do I find out what classes are available and how do I register for the classes?

Click on the location below to see our schedule of classes in Grapevine, Coppell and Trophy Club and information about class registration č

           

 

Can I miss any of the classroom instruction and still complete it within the class session schedule?

The state of Texas requires that a student attend all 32 hours of classroom instruction.

A student may miss up to 5 of the scheduled classes and complete the course with the scheduled session.  The classes missed must be made up however within one year of starting the course.  If a student misses 6 or more classes, they will be removed from that class and will need to be placed in another class (as space is available) where they can complete their class work.  There is a transfer fee of $50.00 required to transfer to this new classroom session.

Refer to our complete Make-up policy here č MAKE-UP POLICY

 

How long does a student have to complete the in-car instruction phase of the course?

The in-car instruction cannot be started until the student has completed their scheduled classroom session.  If a student has missed 5 or less classes, they can begin their in-car instruction once their classroom session is complete.  Students that have missed 6 or more classes must complete their classes before starting the in-car instruction (refer to our Make-up Policy above). 

The in-car instruction must be completed within one year of starting the course.

 

Is a teenager required to complete a driver education course before receiving their driver’s license?

Yes.  Texas law requires persons less than 18 years of age to successfully complete an approved driver education course before they are eligible to receive a driver’s license.

 

NOTE:  If a student is already 18, they do not have to take the complete course as described above.  They must take a 6 hour course that prepares them for taking the permit test and this is offered by Green Light Driving Academy on-line through I AM ROAD READY.  Read more about this and other ADULT driving instruction offered here č ADULT DRIVING INSTRUCTION

 

At what age can a student enroll in a driver education class? ***

We have received clarification from the state of Texas where we can allow a student that is 14 years of age to start driver education.

 

We will however, require that the student turn 15 within 3 months (90 days) of starting the class.

 

The student contract deadline is one year from the day the student begins their classroom instruction NOT from the day they turn 15.  If a student that starts class when they are 14 does not finish the course by that deadline, an extension can be offered at an additional cost.

 

When does a student get their learner’s permit? 

A student is not allowed to apply for a learner’s permit until they are at least 15 years of age and they have completed at least Six (6) instruction hours of a driver education classroom program administered by the school and passed the state-approved permit tests.

Green Light Driving Academy has structured its curriculum so that the permit tests are given during the first week of classroom instruction.  If the student is 15 years of age and has passed the written permit test, they will be given a certificate showing that they have done this and this certificate can be taken to the DPS along with other documentation to get the student’s permit.

If the student has not reached age 15, they must wait until that time to go to the DPS to get the permit.

Please refer to our permit processing procedure here č PERMIT PROCESSING 

 

What is the necessary documentation required to apply for a learner’s permit? ***

The state requires that the following items be provided along with verification of passing the learner’s permit test. 

We do not gather or take documents to the DPS to get the permit for the student. 

GLDA will provide a certificate (form DE-964) to the student after they have completed the first 6 hours of class and have passed the written tests.  This certificate along with the following items can be taken to the DPS to get the permit at your earliest convenience.  NOTE:  The student must also go with you.

o    Form DE-964 – Showing that the student has completed the first 6 hours of class and has passed the written permit tests (this form will be provided by Green Light Driving Academy during the first week of class)

o    Birth Certificate (original or certified copy) **

o    Social Security Card (original card) **

o    Verification of Enrollment form (TEA form) from student’s school **

o    DL-14A – Application for Driver’s License (form provided by Green Light Driving Academy)

o    $16.00 permit processing fee (subject to change by the Texas DPS)

o    Verification of Texas Residency (effective April 1, 2012)

o    Student will be given a vision test at the DPS

 ** If not available, substitutions can be provided.  For more information about substitutions, please refer to the Texas Department of Public Safety website for allowable documentation:  http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/identificationrequirements.htm

PLEASE NOTE:  If your student is not a U.S. citizen, additional documentation may be required to obtain the learner’s permit.

 

I have my permit, when can I start the driving portion of the driver education course?

Students will not be able to start the driving portion of the driver education course until they have completed the classroom instruction, however they may begin driving with an insured, licensed driver (over age 21) in the front seat of the car as soon as they have possession of their permit.  Please read here for more information about this č LETTER TO PARENTS

 

 

How old does a teen need to be before they receive a Texas driver’s license?

A teen must be at least 15 years of age to receive an INSTRUCTION PERMIT also called a LEARNER’S PERMIT. 

After completing an approved driver education course, a teen must be at least 16 years of age before receiving a provisional driver’s license. 

Texas does allow the issuance of a hardship license.  Application for a hardship license is handled through the Texas Department of Public Safety AFTER the student has completed the driver education course.

 

 

What is a provisional driver’s license?

The state of Texas instituted a graduated driver's license program in January 2002. It creates two phases of driving requirements for minors under age 18.

Phase 1 requires that a minor under age 18 must hold their learner's permit for six months before applying for provisional license. During the time the minor has the learner's permit; they can only drive with an insured, licensed driver over the age of 21 in the front seat of the car.

After the six months have passed and the minor has reached age 16, and they have completed a state approved driver education course, they can get a provisional license (issued for one year) with restrictions. This is Phase II. These restrictions include:

 

The first year of having their license:

o    Not having more than one passenger under the age 21 in the car who is not an immediate family member

o    Not operating a vehicle after midnight or before 5 a.m., unless driving is necessary for employment, school or a school-related activity or a medical emergency.

Until they are 18 years of age:

o    Cannot use a wireless communication device while driving, except in the case of an emergency until age 18.

The above restrictions do not apply if the provisional license holder is accompanied by a license operator age 21 or older.

After Phase II has been completed, the driver is issued a full license with none of the above restrictions.

 

Does Texas still allow hardship licenses?

Yes, however a teen must still complete an approved driver education course.  After completion, the teen and parent may apply for a hardship license at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

 

 I lost my permit – can Green Light Driving Academy get another for me?

No, Green Light Driving Academy cannot do this for you.  You must go to the DPS to obtain another copy of your permit.  Your information is in their computer system, so all you need to do it provide identification (Social Security Card and Birth Certificate are best) and they will issue a duplicate copy.  The cost is $10.00.

You must have your ORIGINAL permit with you to take a drive time.  Any student that does not have their ORIGINAL permit in readable condition when they come for a scheduled drive time, will not be allowed to drive or observe and will be charged a $25.00 fee, just as if they did not show up or if they cancelled less than 24 hours.  This is not a Green Light Driving Academy rule, but a rule from the Texas Education Agency and the State of Texas.

 

 I completed the course, but I’ve lost the completion certificate (DE-964) that Green Light Driving Academy provided to me.  What do I do?

Please contact Green Light Driving Academy for a duplicate original copy.  The cost for preparing this duplicate copy is $10.00.   We do not charge to make a photocopy if needed for insurance purposes, but to use the DE-964 to get the license, it must be an original.

 

 Is it true that I can get a discount on my automobile insurance if I successfully complete the course at Green Light Driving Academy?

Yes, most insurance companies do provide a discount on automobile insurance for successfully completing an approved driver education course; however it is best to consult with your agent to confirm this.

 

Can my student take more driving time than the amount of time required by the state in conjunction with the course?

Yes, please refer to our new driving contract packages on our teen page č TEEN DRIVING.

 

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