PARENTS

FAQ for Parents/Guardians

When can my student start driving with me in the car?

Even though a student may have been issued a permit from the DMV, it is not legal for students to drive with anyone until they completed their first behind the wheel training session with a licensed driving school.

When do we add our student to our car insurance policy?

We recommend calling your auto insurance company as soon as your student has a permit. They will be able to tell you how they handle permitted drivers. It is important to make sure your student will be covered while training with you in your personal vehicle.

Does the driving school's auto insurance cover my student while he/she is driving the training vehicles?

Yes, our auto insurance policy covers all students while they are in a training vehicle owned by the school.

Can parents ride along with students during the lessons?

Yes, parents are welcome to ride along and observe the lesson as long they do not become a distraction or prevent the instructor from doing his/her job.

How many hours of training are Parents/Guardians responsible for?

The DMV requires that students complete at least 50 hours of driving with a parent or anyone who is over the age of 25 and who also has a valid California Driver License. At least 10 hours should be done at night.

The DMV does not require you keep a log detailing the hours practice with your student. However, they do require that a parent or guardian sign the permit (below where the driving instructor has signed) verifying that the recommended 50 hours ahs been completed by the student.

A NOTE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS* (TAKEN FROM THE DMV HANDBOOK)

As you probably know, teenage drivers get more tickets and are hurt and killed in greater numbers than other drivers. To decrease these accidents, a special “Provisional” type of license and instruction permit is issued to drivers under the age of 18. Minors may keep their license as long as they obey certain “provisions.” They must obey the traffic laws and drive without an accident. They must hold their permit longer (six months) and practice the driving skills listed on pages 6 and 7 of this handbook before they come to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for their driving test. If your teenager incorrectly answers nine or more questions (46 total questions) on the law test, he/she must wait one week before retaking the test. If the driving test is failed, he or she must wait two weeks before taking another. Teenage drivers also have new restrictions for the first year after they are licensed. During the first 12 months , a teenager cannot drive between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM and cannot transport passengers under age 20 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, a licensed driver 25 years of age or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor.

The California Driver Handbook contains all of the requirements your teenager must meet to qualify for a license. The Parent-Teen Training Guide was developed to help you, the parent, in providing your teenager with additional driving practice and DOES NOT contain all of the licensing requirements needed at a DMV office to obtain a permit or license.

You must help your student driver practice all of the driving skills listed on pages 6 and 7. These skills are divided into four different levels. If you choose to let your teenager get additional training from a driving school, make sure the school is licensed by DMV. Whoever gives the instruction must sign the statement on your teenager's permit certifying that he or she has completed the supervised training. This statement must be completed and returned to DMV before the driving test may be taken.

NOTE : The permit is not valid until your child starts behind-the-wheel driver training with a licensed instructor or reaches the age of 17½.

Professional driving schools and instructors in California are licensed by the DMV after meeting qualifying standards. If you use the services of a professional driving school, ask to see the instructor's identification card. The hours required for driver education and driver training classes are defined in Education Code §§51851 and 51852.