Driver Ed FAQ

The applicant is 16 years old and has held a learner's permit for at least 180 days. (All 180 days may have been when the applicant was 15.)

If an applicant is 17 or older, they must fall into one of these scenarios:   

• Must have a learner's permit (there is no 180-day period once they have reached their 17th birthday)
• Must have a certificate of completion for the 38- or 14-hour driver ed course.
• If the applicant does not have any of the above, the road skills test cannot be performed. 

The applicants' learner's permit or certificate of completion serves as proof of completion of a driver's education course. 

Yes. You may use one of our school vehicles for your test, provided it is scheduled through our office. 

No. For safety reasons, personal vehicles are not permitted for the road skills test. Our vehicles have safety features such as a secondary brake, passenger mirrors, and student driver signs written on the vehicles. 

There are several ways a student can fail a road skills test. Some include running a stop sign or signal, driving more than 5 miles over the speed limit, instructor brake application, etc. If a student fails the road skills test, the instructor will review the test performance to help the student improve. A student may immediately retake the road skills test for an additional fee of $60

The timeline varies based on scheduling and instructor availability. Students registered for the teen course usually complete the entire 38-hour course, including the behind-the-wheel instruction, within about 60 days. Students registered for the adult course typically complete the entire 14-hour course, including behind-the-wheel instruction, within 30 days. 

Yes. Once you have completed the classroom instruction, you can schedule behind-the-wheel driving sessions. Remember, you must also have your Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP).

Yes, all instructors are fully licensed, background checked, and experienced in working with beginner drivers. 

If a student misses a classroom instructional day, the student may be assessed a $50 cancellation fee if advance notice is not given. The student may make up the class, but cannot move forward until the missed class is made up. For example, if a student misses Day 2 of the course, he or she must make up Day 2 before moving on to Day 3. If you feel you can't make it to class, please let us know so we can work with you to make up the class. 

Each student must bring their Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) to each class. Students should also bring a paper and a pen for note-taking. 

We understand that cell phones are a significant part of our lives. Students may bring cell phones to class as long as they are not in use during instructional time. A student may be asked to power off a cell phone if it continues to be used during instruction. 

Deposits and payments are non-refundable. Students may have a one-time reschedule to another class date if they cannot attend the original class. Please call as soon as possible if you or your child cannot attend any class. 

If the school cannot complete a student's course, then a parent or adult student may request a refund in writing for the uncompleted portion of the course. This refund should be made available within 10 days of the request. In the event of the school's closure, whether voluntary or by action of the OMV, a refund will be issued upon written request. All refunds will be processed within 30 days after the effective date of termination or request, whichever occurs first. 

The student must be at least 14 years and 9 months old on the first day of class and at least 15 years old to start behind-the-wheel driving. 

Per OMV regulation, all students must obtain a temporary instructional permit (TIP) before starting their driver's education course. TIP cards are issued by appointment only at the Office of Motor Vehicle Locations (not issued at Express locations). You can schedule an appointment at the OMV by visiting expresslane.org and clicking on "Book Appointment". 

You must bring the following documents to your OMV appointment:

• Original birth certificate
• Social Security card
• One custodial parent with a Driver's License (if the student is under 18)

Students must have their TIP card prior to the first day of class. 

Applicants can register online, over the phone, or in person. A deposit will be required to secure your spot on the roster. 

We offer several driving courses:

• 38-hour Teen Course: A comprehensive driver education program with 30 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel training. 
• Adult Course (14 hours): A complete program for adult learners, which includes 6 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. 
• Road Skills Test: Available to both 1st Stop Driving Center students and students who completed their driver's education course elsewhere. This test is needed for students who have completed driver's education and are ready for their full license. 
• Refresher Course: A minimum of 2-hour driving session for those who want to sharpen their skills. 

We accept debit/credit cards, cash, Venmo, Zelle, and CashApp. Once a student registers online for a class, the student/guardian will receive a QuickBooks invoice via email for the initial deposit. Another QuickBooks invoice for the remaining balance will be sent via email before the first day of class. 

If you fail to show up for a classroom instructional day or behind-the-wheel session without a 24-hour notice, a $50 fee may be assessed. Fees may be waived depending on the reason for cancellation. 

The classroom instruction (Teen and Adult) must be completed before behind-the-wheel driving lessons can be scheduled. Your account must also be paid in full. A teen driver must be at least 15 years old to schedule behind-the-wheel driving. 

This depends on your scheduling flexibility and the instructor's availability. You can take one 2-hour behind-the-wheel lesson each day and schedule up to three driving lessons in advance. You can take as many as three driving lessons per week or as few as one driving lesson per week. 

Log in to your student account on our website. Choose an available time and instructor.

We offer pickup and drop-off services for an additional fee of $50. Students must live within a 5-mile radius of the 1st Stop Driving Center to receive these services. 

Students in behind-the-wheel instruction learn a variety of skills and knowledge essential to safe, responsible driving. Here are some of the key areas they cover:

• Traffic Laws and Regulations (traffic signs, right-of-way protocols, speed limits, roadway markings, etc.)
• Vehicle Systems and Maintenance (steering system, braking system, safety system, etc.)
• Risk Management and Defensive Driving (Hazard perception, risk assessment, collision avoidance, etc.)

Students will be asked to drive in urban areas, rural areas, on interstates, and on highways for behind-the-wheel instruction. 

Our scheduling software lets you see all available driving lessons and who is teaching them. You may choose the same instructor for each lesson if they are open, or try a different instructor. 

Yes. All behind-the-wheel driving lessons are private sessions to ensure each student receives personalized attention. 

No. Our vehicles are equipped with safety features (passenger brake, passenger mirror, student driver signs, etc.) that aren't standard in other cars. 

Our vehicles have safety features (passenger brake, passenger mirror, student driver signs, etc.) that are not standard in other cars.

Should you need to reschedule a lesson, you may do so by logging into your account on our website. You must cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a $50 cancellation fee.