Frequently Asked Questions-old

At this time, all classroom instruction is provided via Zoom. No class session will be more than two hours in length per day.

Do you pick up and drop off my child at my house? No. We pick up at the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. If we picked up at homes, we would not have time to teach all the maneuvers students need to perfect. We have 23 different skills we evaluate on every drive, including parallel parking and the rotary. 

What if my child misses a class? Missing Class #1 is not an option. In that class we go over all aspects of how the program works and students must be present.  
The State of Massachusetts requires that students attend ALL class sessions. Students who miss any other class (#2-15) must make up the actual class missed as each one covers distinct curriculum (i.e., if you miss Class #5, you must make up Class #5).
Please call Rich Dushanek at Comm. Ed. (978-266-2525) to find out when the class needed will next be offered. If a student misses 3 or more classes, Community Education will charge a $100 fee.

NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students may have to wait longer than usual to make up a class, as we are limited to the number of classes being offered throughout the year. 

Will a missed class delay my child taking on-road lessons? Yes, if they missed any of classes 2-5. Those cover the rules of the road and must be completed before a student can have an on-road lesson.

How old must my child be to take the Driver Education class? At least 15 years, 9 months old.

How much does the class cost? All classes taught via Zoom are $699.

What does the fee include?  The full Driver Education Package includes:

  • 30 hours of Classroom instruction
  • 12 hours of in-car driving instruction 
  • State mandated 2 hour parent meeting 
  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 6 hours of in-car observation have been replaced by parent observations. Parents must drive an additional 6 hours with the student driver, and complete and sign the Modified Observation Requirement form. The form must be submitted with the student's paperwork at the time of completion of the Driver Ed program.

Who are the Comm. Ed. instructors? All members of our Driver Ed. staff are fully certified, having completed RMV requirements to become Professional Driving School Instructors. Our instructors have an average of 10 years’ experience.
How do I sign up my child for Driver Education?

  • Register online OR
  • Call our office at 978-266-2525 to register over the phone 
Does my child need a Learner's Permit to attend Driver Education class? No. However, students must have their permit in hand for all in-car driving lessons. If a student does not bring their Learner's Permit to the in-car driving lesson, the lesson will be canceled and the student will be charged the $60 lesson fee.
How does my child get a Learner’s Permit? You must go online to the RMV website in order to schedule an in-person appointment to obtain a permit. Your child can study for the Permit test by reading the manual on-line at the RMV website.   Note: When you pay for your child’s Learner’s Permit, you may also want to pre-pay for the License and Road Test. Doing so will save time in the Road Test/License process.

Is the Parent Meeting required?  Yes. The RMV requires at least one parent or guardian attend the Parent Meeting BEFORE a student can begin his/her in-car driving.  Ideally this will be the parent/guardian who will be doing the majority of driving with the child, but both parents are encouraged to come. This class certificate is good for five years.  

How does my child sign up for driving? Once a parent/guardian has attended the RMV mandated Parent Meeting, then by the fifth class, your child will be given a sign-in and password for the In-Car Lesson Scheduling site.  All in-car appointments are scheduled online.  We strongly encourage  students to schedule their own appointments.  A copy of the student’s Learner’s Permit must be submitted to the Community Education Office prior to scheduling driving appointments.  No exceptions.  

Student use our scheduling software to sign up for 1 hour blocks with an instructor. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, both the student and instructor must wear masks. Your child can sign up for any open appointment.
How long will it take to complete the in-car lessons? The answer depends on how old children are when they begin Driver Education. Students who begin class when they are between 15 years, 9 months old and 16 years old will need to wait until they turn 16 to obtain a permit. The best approach is to spread the in-car lessons over the next 4-6 months, as students must be a least 16.5 years old to be eligible to apply for their Driver License. The RMV requires students to have a permit for 6 months and to complete a Driver Education program before taking a Driver License test.
Students are encouraged to practice driving at home in between lessons with us, so we strongly suggest that appointments are not made any closer than every 3rd day (e.g. Monday, Thursday, Sunday).
Can my child take in-car Lessons during the school day?  Yes. If your child has a free period, some instructors are able to do lessons during the school day.  Students should email Rich Dushanek ([email protected]) their availability and he will coordinate with the instructor.

What if my child has to cancel their in-car driving lesson? If for any reason a student is unable to keep a driving appointment, they must cancel their appointment online 48 hours before the driving is scheduled. A student is allowed to have a substitute fill in for them up to the appointed time. Failure to cancel in advance or find a substitute results in a $60 fine.
What if my child is late for their driving lesson? Students should be prompt; instructors block back to back lessons. The instructor will wait 10 minutes after the appointment time. Once this time has elapsed, the student is considered a 'no-show' and will be charged a $60 fee.

How does my child take the road test? – Visit the Scheduling a Road Test page for full details.
How long does my child have to complete the Driver Education program? Students have one year to complete their driver education program from the start of the class. If the student exceeds the one year limit, there is a $100 charge.


If you ever have questions for the RMV, call their Customer Service Line:

857-368-8115


Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.