“Building A Strong Foundation For Our Students' Driving Future”

Information For Choosing The Right School

Dear Parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s):

You have decided your son, daughter or ward is ready to assume the responsibility of operating a motor vehicle. As a parent, it's the day you've both anticipated and dreaded. Your child is about to experience a new found freedom that can free you up as well, but your excitement is tainted by the knowledge that, statistically, teenage drivers are at a greater risk for motor vehicle crashes. Here are some suggestions to help you when searching for an accredited Driver Education Program.

Make a good choice. A driver education course is designed to teach new drivers the fundamental skills and basic knowledge about driving a motor vehicle. All commercial and public driver education schools are required to use Bureau of Motor Vehicles approved standardized curriculum and all the instructors are licensed by the BMV. Use the following tips in selecting the best driver education school for you.

1. Ask friends and neighbors. Have they attended a school? Can they recommend one for you?
    
2. Call several schools. Find out about course schedules, fees, registration procedures, and the next available course dates and times.
    
3. Check the Driver Education School License. It must be displayed in the school's business office.
    
4. Ask how many fully licensed driver education instructors work for the school. Determine how many instructors teach classroom, behind the wheel or both phases of the course. The number of instructors may affect the time it will take to complete all the course requirements.
    
5. Check classroom vs. behind the wheel sessions. Ask the average amount of time that's needed to complete the 30 hours of classroom and 10 hours behind the wheel instruction. Make sure you don't have to wait a long time to start the behind the wheel phase of the course. The ideal course integrates behind the wheel and classroom training. Do not assume the fastest course is the way to go. New drivers need time to learn.
    
6. Ask about refund policies and class make-up policies. Do you need to sign a contract?
    
7. Complaints. Check with Secretary of State for complaints filed against the school.
    
8. Filing complaints. Ask how to file complaints and how the school resolves complaints.
    
9. Ask to inspect the driver education vehicles. They should be clean, late model cars, and all must pass the Maine Safety Inspection and BMV inspection annually.
    
10. Find out if the instructor picks students up at home. This is a convenience, not a requirement, for the behind the wheel portion of driver education. It is very difficult to teach a behind the wheel session if the instructor is not familiar with the practice route.
     
11. Ask for references. Get a few names of previous students of the school you may call as a reference. Remember, price is not the sole factor in choosing a driving school. You must compare instructional quality, class size and behind the wheel instruction. Choose your driving school with care and drive safely forever!
     
12. Students with Disabilities. Students with disabilities should choose a school with instructors and equipment designed for their specific needs. For instance, vehicle should include hand controls, an adjustable steering column and other aids for disabled drivers.
     
13. Does the school have the reputation of high academic standards or a simplified version of instruction? Will your son or daughter receive the highest standard of education?
     
14. Choose Wisely. Your son or daughter are about to enter into one of the most dangerous places on earth Our National Highway Transportation System