Green Light Driving Academy - Teen Driver Education – FAQs

 

The FAQs for the teen driver education program at Green Light Driving Academy follow the guidelines and requirements for Teen Driver Education from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) 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:

§         Texas Education Agency FAQs

§         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)

During the school year, classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday.  Summer classes are accelerated and are held in three weeks:  Monday through Friday for 3 weeks including ONE Saturday class.

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

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.

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.  The student must schedule ALL drive times on-line at
www.Schedule2Drive.com.

 

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

The total cost for the teen driving course is $395.00.  This cost includes:

 

o        32 hours classroom instruction

o        Copy of the DPS handbook

o        14 hours in-car instruction (which includes registration and use of the on-line drive time scheduling system)

o        Processing the learner's permit at the DPS

o        Course Completion Certificate (DE-964)

There are no hidden or extra charges, with the exception of a $5.00 permit-processing fee that is collected and paid to the DPS for processing the learner's permit.  Click on this link for additional information about our course fees è FEES

 

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

Click her to link to our schedule of classes in Grapevine and Coppell and information about how to register è

o        TEEN CLASS SCHEDULE – Grapevine

o        TEEN CLASS SCHEDULE - Coppell

 

Can I miss any of the classroom instruction and still complete it within the 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 class.  The classes missed must be made up however within 180 days of starting the class.  Students must attend Make-up Sessions scheduled on Saturdays.  In most cases, these Saturdays will be the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month in Grapevine and the 3rd Saturday in Coppell; however, due to holidays or other activities at the facility, this may be altered slightly.  Always refer to the dates for these classes posted on our website or you can contact the office.

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.

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

 

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

While the classroom instruction along with any make-up work must be completed within 180 days (6 months) of starting the course, 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.

 

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

A student can begin their driver education at age 14; however, they can only take the classroom portion at that time.  Once the student reaches age 15, they can get their permit and start the in-car instruction portion of the course.

Green Light Driving Academy requires that a student be within 3 months of their 15th birthday to begin the driver education course.   

 

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 has completed at least Six (6) instruction hours of a driver education classroom program administered by the school.

Green Light Driving Academy has structured its curriculum so that the permit test is given during the first week of classroom instruction.  If the student is 15 years of age, has passed the test and has provided the appropriate documentation (see next question), Green Light Driving Academy will submit the application for license to the DPS and have the student’s permit within the first two weeks of classroom instruction.  Please refer to our permit processing procedure here (CHANGED EFFECTIVE 6/12/2007)  è click here 

 

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.  These items are not required to be brought to the school until the 3rd day of the class or prior to the student’s 15th birthday.

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 (provided by Green Light Driving Academy)

o        $5.00 permit processing fee

 ** If not available, substitutions can be provided.  For more information about substitutions, please contact Green Light Driving Academy.

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 è 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 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, they can get a provisional license with restrictions. This is Phase II. These restrictions include:

o        Not having more than one passenger under the age 21 in the car who is not a 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.

The above restrictions do not apply if the provisional license holder is accompanied by a license operator age 21 or older. These restrictions are applicable for the first six months after issuance of the provisional license.

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?

Contact Green Light Driving Academy for a duplicate 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 contact Green Light Driving Academy for more information.

 

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