|
|
|
Driver’s Ed FAQs Don’t see your question listed here? Shoot us an email, or give us a call; we’d be happy to answer your driver’s ed questions. How do I sign up? To sign up for West Central Michigan Driver Ed classes for teen drivers, first check our class schedule to and decide which upcoming class you’d like to take. Next, print our our Student Segment I contract (PDF). Please read this contract carefully, then fill out all the fields. Give us a call at 231-796-0864 to check to make sure we have an opening in the class you’d like to take. If a spot is available, we’ll ask you to mail the contract along with a minimum $100 deposit (check or money order only) to: West Central Michigan Driver Education To sign up for Segment II, follow the same steps with the Segment II Student Contract (PDF). For Segment II, we’ll need a single payment of $50. If you’re an adult seeking some level of driving instruction, download the adult contract form, read over options and contact us at 231-796-0864. Mr. Stricker will arrange personal instructions as needed. How much does driver’s ed cost? A lot! This is serious stuff. Just to verify, the State of Michigan pulled funding for Driver’s Ed several years ago, which totally took the public school systems out of the business. All Driver’s Ed is now “private”, and the students pay their own fees. Our rate for Segment I is $350 per student, with a minimum $100 down payment due to secure your spot in class. This fee includes all in-classroom instruction, materials and behind-the-wheel (btw) instruction. Segment II is a single $50 fee per student, due at the time of registration. Again, this covers all materials necessary to complete the course which is 3 days, classroom only. Our rates for adult btw instruction are $50 per hour. Refer to the Adult Conract (under Adult Dr Ed) to see adult training options. Segment I is the 3-4 week long session of in-class instruction and behind-the-wheel instruction necessary for teens to obtain their Level I License, or Learner’s Permit. What is Segment I? Segment I is the first step, and the big time and money commitment portion of the State of MI Graduated Driver License program. We try to get it completed within a 4 week period, give or take a few days. Seg I is 24 hours (done in 12 days) of classroom time, plus 6 times out in the driver ed car per student. Our available classes in both Big Rapids and Remus are scheduled several months out, so that you can plan the one that suits you and your student the best. What is Segment II? Segment II is a much shorter (and much cheaper) follow-up course, classroom only for three days. If the student has driven on their Level I Learner’s License for atleast 90 days, and has logged at least 30 of the 50 required hours, then they are eligible to sign up for Seg II. It is definitely part of the requirement by the State of Michigan before a student can schedule with a “third party tester” to take the Road Skills Test. (Remember, 6 months total on the Learner’s License, and 50 hrs logged btw.) Once a student has passed the Road Skills Test, he or she is eligible for a full Michigan driver’s license. How long does it take to get my license? The minimum amount of time required for a teen to obtain a Michigan driver’s license is about 7 months, although the process can take longer. Students must hold their Level I Learner’s License for a minimum of 6 months and meet hours btw, Segment II, and age requirements in order to be eligible for a Michigan driver’s license. While this process requires six months, the time spent in class in Segment I does not count towards this six month waiting period, filling the time required to obtain a driver’s license out to about 7 months. Parents and students should keep this six month training period in mind and plan ahead in order to avoid students having to wait longer than planned to obtain a license. Please keep in mind that there are a number of age restrictions in the process of getting a driver’s license. Students must be a minimum of 14 years 8 months old in order to begin taking Segment I. After they have passed the Segment I, Segment II and hours btw log requirements, students may take the Road Skills Test if they are 15 + years of age. Students who pass the Road Skills Test before they’re 16 still must wait until they turn 16 to be able to obtain the Level II driver’s license. When are classes available? We offer Segment I and Segment II courses each month, year round. Check our “Training Dates” page for specific scheduling information. Can I register for classes online? Not at this time. We like to speak with all our students and parents before they register to make sure they understand the entire process of getting a driver’s license. We’re happy to answer any of your questions over the phone or through email. Can I fax you the student contract? Because the student contract for both Segment I and Segment II must be accompanied by a check or money order payment, we need to receive both the contract and the payment either by mail or in person. Do you take credit cards? At this time, we only accept checks or money orders, and of course cash...altho NOT thru the mail. How to I contact a third party tester who can administer my Road Skills Test? True to their title, “third party tester”, instructors can have no direct dealings with testers. You will need to schedule a Road Skills Test yourself. Remember, third party testers are independent individuals who have been appointed by the State of Michigan to administer these road tests. The Michigan Department of State website offers a list of all third party testing organizations in Michigan, by their location. Click here to Visit their interactive map and find a Road Skills Tester nearest you. Or go to our LINKS page. |
|
