Driver Ed FAQ

Driving Diversity will refund money for services not rendered minus a $140 processing fee within 48 hours of purchase.

However, once you have begun the service, such as attending one classroom portion or scheduled one behind the wheel lesson, we will not offer a refund for services or sessions not completed. Driving Diversity schedules it's instructors in advanced and they block out this time on their busy schedules to provide the service, therefore we expect that you will follow through with the scheduled training.

If you purchase any of the offered packages and are unable to complete all the sessions, the remainder will be forfeited.

For information on our policies for cancelling and rescheduling please read our cancellation and rescheduling policies https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QE39VVVY0DelQxfZ5gt7DHP2NjWPxr3M/edit?usp=sharing&rtpof=true&sd=true

 Please note that online classes are not necessarily interchangeable. When a course IS interchangeable, there is a $175 fee for transferring from one course to another.

NO REFUNDS AFTER 48 HRS. No refunds if we can provide the service but it just doesn't work for your schedule. NO REFUNDS for online self paced classes.

Drive tests are non refundable. The agreement to deliver the defined training services expires 12 months after the date of enrollment.

Driving Diversity Driving School Fee Policy

The following is the fee policy for all students enrolled in a Driving Diversity Driving School class, lesson or testing program.

LATE/RESCHEDULE FEES: Our instructors work on an appointment only basis, therefore, we have the following policies for late show and lesson/test reschedules as we have to compensate our instructors for their time.

Behind The Wheel Lesson Late/Reschedule: We have a 48 hour advance notice cancellation policy, any BTW drive canceled within the 48 hour period will be assessed a $75.00 cancellation fee. Any student who is 15 minutes or more late for a pre-scheduled drive will have their lesson canceled and rescheduled for the next available lesson time and is subject to a $75 late/reschedule fee.

Forgotten/Missing Permit: Any student who forgets to bring their required valid permit (actual physical card required) to their pre-scheduled drive lesson or test will have their lesson canceled and rescheduled for the next available lesson time and will be subject to a $75 reschedule fee. This is a State Requirement.

Driving Test Late/Reschedule: Any student who is 5 minutes or more late to a pre-scheduled driving test will have their test canceled and rescheduled for the next available testing time and is subject to a

$40 cancellation fee.

Classroom Reschedule: Any student who reschedules their classroom start date 1 days or less prior to enrolled class start date will be charged a $50 Administrative fee.

CANCELLATION/NO SHOW FEES: We are limited on classroom space/drive times and our instructors work on an appointment only basis, therefore, we have the following policies for cancellations.

Classroom Cancellation/No Show: Any student that drops or cancels a classroom enrollment more than 48 hours after enrollment will not be entitled to a refund.

Behind The Wheel Lesson Cancellation/No Show: Any student who cancels a pre-scheduled drive with less than 48 hours' notice by calling, voicemail, email, or using the online student portal, is subject to a $75 cancellation fee.

Driving Test Cancellation/No Show: Any student who cancels a driving test will not be issued a refund. Our drive tests are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Cancellations, Late Shows & Rescheduled Due To Adverse Weather Do Not Apply See Adverse Weather policy

You can cancel or reschedule your driving lesson by logging into your student account. To avoid a $50 late cancellation fee, you must cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours before your drive time.

We live in the beautiful state of Oregon with ever-changing weather, and we understand that students will need practice in all types of weather conditions and situations.

Regarding Behind-The-Wheel Driving Lessons, we will drive when the roads are wet; however, we will not drive when the roads are snow-packed or icy. We obtain real-time information from ODOT about road conditions and local weather forecasts to predict when we should or should not drive. If we deem it unsafe for your student and our instructor to be out on the road, we will cancel the driving lesson and let you know by email first and or phone as secondary options as soon as possible and will work with you to reschedule that drive time.

If your drive is cancelled due to weather and you are following Driving Diversity required scheduling timeline you will be able to reschedule this cancelled drive for a later date and time.

Utilization of the wait list tool on the scheduling page and monitoring the schedule for new openings will help expedite the rescheduling process.

If your Drive Test is cancelled, we will get you rescheduled as soon as possible. Keep in mind a slide or slip on a driving test might result in a FAIL in the state's eyes. Driving Diversity does not believe in setting the testing party up for failure.

You may cancel or reschedule a driving lesson by logging into your account on our website. You must cancel at least 48 hours before your lesson to avoid a $50 late cancellation fee. Students will be charged if they are not able to show their original learner's permit, the permit has expired, or the student does not have their required corrective lenses as noted on their permit at the time of their appointment. Students who arrive late or have to leave early will not be charged $50; however, students will not have the opportunity to make up missed time.

Contact our office if you are having difficulty completing your course on time. Depending on your situation, we can offer an extension, called a variance, for $100 per 30-days. If you have a situation, like a medical condition that prevents you from driving for a while, we can pause your contract when you contact us as soon as possible. 

You MUST confirm your email and cell phone to receive text messages from the software. You will see a popup when you log in to your account. If you do not see a popup, click My Account, then Confirm Now, and follow the steps. Providing you confirm your email and text once you log in to your account, the software will send up to two email and text message reminders for each lesson you schedule. We can not be responsible for missing a drive time if you fail to follow these steps.

No, you must have a valid Oregon learner's permit, a restricted license, or a license to register for driving lessons. 

This depends on your scheduling flexibility and instructor availability. You can take one 2-hour behind-the-wheel lesson each day and schedule up to three driving lessons in advance. You must have one practice day between lessons. So you could schedule Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Once you complete Monday's lesson, you could schedule another upcoming lesson.

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

No, our vehicles have safety features (passenger brake, passenger mirror, student driver signs, etc.) that don't come in standard cars.

Scheluding is based on instructor availabilty. You may join your friend if the instructor has an available spot in the car that particular lesson.

Our scheduling software lets you see all available driving lessons and who is teaching them. If your preferred instructor is open, you can select them for a lesson.

WHAT IS COVERED IN THE BEGINNERS DRIVING PACKAGE (3 LESSONS/ 2HRS EACH)

• Safe driving habits that reduce the risk of a collision while driving.
• We help you develop certain routines and habits that prepare you and the vehicle for each time you drive. We teach you to drive in residential, city, rural curves and hills and even freeways.
• We focus on opening up your vision and developing perceptual skills to identify road hazards and dangerous road conditions
• Defensive driving skills- we teach you to never trust other drivers to do what they're supposed to. Such as stop for red lights or signal a turn, etc.
• 33% of accidents occur at intersections so we spend time teaching you how to properly search and control each intersection.
• Vision control
• Motion and steering control
• How to obey lines, signs and signals
• Precision turns
• Tracking control
• Backing
• Turn around maneuvers
• Timing lights and turns
• Precision lane changes
• Managing time and space around the vehicle
• Proper following distance
• Passing and being passed

WHAT IS COVERED IN THE BEGINNERS DRIVING PACKAGE + DEFENSIVE DRIVING (4 LESSONS 2 HRS EACH)

• Safe driving habits that reduce the risk of an accident while driving.
• We help you develop certain routines and habits that prepare you and the vehicle for each time you drive. We teach you to drive in residential, city, rural curves and hills and even freeways.
• We focus on opening up your vision and develop perceptual skills to identify road hazards and dangerous road conditions
• Defensive driving skills- we teach you to never trust other drivers to do what they're supposed to. Such as stop for red lights or signal a turn, etc.
• 33% of accidents occur at intersections so we spend time teaching you how to properly search and control each intersection.
• Vision control
• Motion and steering control
• How to obey lines, signs and signals
• Precision turns
• Tracking control
• Backing
• Turn around maneuvers
• Timing lights and turns
• Precision lane changes
• Managing time and space around the vehicle
• Proper following distance
• Passing and being passed

Plus

• Distracted driving
• Poor driving conditions (ice, snow, rain, fog, etc.)

No, you are covered under our commercial insurance during all behind-the-wheel training.

The ODOT Teen Course is only available to youths between the ages of 15 and 17 years and must not turn 18 before the end of the course. If you are under 18, you'll need a valid, unexpired learner permit to start the course. You must also have at least 15 hours of at home drive experience prior to the first scheduled drive.

A valid OREGON permit is required by the first class and through completion of the driver education course. Information on obtaining an Oregon permit can be found here.

Yes. "Approved provider" also "provider" is a private school, public school, commercial driver training school or county that has been granted approval by ODOT-TSO to provide instruction using a Division-approved curriculum by instructors who have completed a Division-approved instructor course of study. A provider is responsible for all aspects of the program and is required to maintain required records, whether or not instruction is contracted.

Even though driver education is an investment in your teen's safety, many families are deterred by the initial cost. Our driver education course costs $710. This amount covers the curriculum materials, instructor's time, classroom space, vehicle usage, insurance costs, gasoline, and other standard course-related expenses.

ODOT Subsidy - $210
Course cost after ODOT subsidy** - $600

To encourage families to sign up their teens for driver education, ODOT offers an additional subsidy of up to $75 to approved providers, who are then able to pass it on as a discount to eligible families. To be eligible, a family must meet the definition of economically disadvantaged, according to the Oregon Board of Education. If you meet and provide proof of the eligibility requirements, you can choose an ODOT-Approved provider in your area and request an estimate.

Course cost after ODOT subsidy** - $600
Less subsidy - $75
Final cost to the student - $525

• Nationally-Recognized Curriculum - Oregon's Risk Prevention Curriculum, known as the Playbook, is nationally recognized. The Playbook's third revision (R3) was recently completed and is available for approved courses statewide.
• Certified Instructors - All instructors in ODOT-Approved Driver Education programs are professionally trained and state-certified as required by Oregon Administrative Rule 737-015-0070. They have completed a rigorous program (administered through a grant to Western Oregon University) consisting of 120 hours of training related to Oregon traffic laws, foundations of classroom teaching and management and specialized behind-the-wheel instruction. All instructors hold current First Aid and CPR certification and must complete 15 hours of continuing education credits and teach a minimum of 30 hours in an ODOT-TSO-approved program every two years.
• Specially Equipped Vehicles - All vehicles in ODOT-Approved Driver Education programs are equipped with an instructor brake, and additional rear-view and eye-check mirrors. This equipment provides instructors more control than a standard-equipped vehicle. All vehicles must also be clearly identified with appropriate signage indicating "Student Driver" or "Driver Education Car" as set forth in Oregon Administrative Rule 737-015-0050.
• Proven Performance - Data shows that teens, ages 16-20, who complete an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course are far less likely to receive a traffic conviction or be involved in a serious crash. Based on 2018-2022 ODOT DMV data comparing teens, ages 16-20, who had taken driver education with those who had not, teens who did not take driver education received 86.6% of the citations and 85.3% were involved in crashes. Teens who take an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course learn skills that can, when consistently practiced, lead to lifelong safer driving. 

• Students must be at least 15 years of age.
• Students must have a valid Oregon instruction permit by the first class and be valid through the entire course.
• Students must not receive a license before course completion - you may be liable for increased fees.
• Students must complete the class before turning 18.
• The course requires a commitment to participate in classroom and in-car lessons and to practice new skills outside of class.
• Parent/guardian involvement (parent meeting and practice driving during the course) is required.

After completing the ODOT-Approved Driver Education course, the teen is not required to take a skills (drive) test at the DMV. The teen will still need to visit a DMV office with their driver education completion certificate to complete the process. This includes completing and submitting the application, paying fees, taking a vision test, and having a picture taken. Please see DMV's teen driver page for more information.

CAUTION: If you are thinking about getting your license before completing the course - you may lose some benefits. A student with a license is no longer eligible for ODOT subsidy. Check with your driver education provider first to see if there will be consequences, such as increased fees.

Students must complete the following within 90 days from the start of the course: o 30 hours of classroom attendance. o 12 hours (6 hours of driving and 6 hours of in-vehicle observation) of in-car training (total of 6 drive lessons, each 2 hours long). o 5 hours of practice with a parent or other mentor.

• ODOT requires that, "students may not complete the course in fewer than 35 days". This means that either the last day of class or the last driving lesson may not occur any sooner than 35 days from the first day of class.

• ODOT regulations require classroom and drives run concurrently.  Students should expect that the entire program will take 90 days from the start of class. Please plan accordingly.

A student who passes an ODOT-approved driver education course must take their completion certificate to a DMV office, take the vision test, and submit an application for licensure. While many DMV field offices accept walk-ins, it's still recommended to make an appointment.

Classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction and practice driving observation must be provided concurrently. For each student, no fewer than four and no more than 10 hours of classroom instruction will be completed before beginning behind-the-wheel instruction. Classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction must be well organized and coordinated.

A minimum of 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction not exceeding 90 minutes of driving per day per student, not to exceed 120 minutes within 7 consecutive days. Behind-the-wheel instructional objectives must correspond with topics covered during classroom instruction.

If a student has passed an ODOT-Approved Driver Education course, no driving test is needed! The teen will still need to make an appointment or visit a DMV field office with their completion certificate to complete the licensure process. This includes completing the application, paying fees, taking a vision test, and having a picture taken. Please see DMV's teen driver page for more information.

No, you will need to have a valid Oregon learners permit to register for the course. 

Students whose permits will expire before course completion must renew their permits. This can be done online, and it's essential to be proactive and renew before expiration. A valid permit is required throughout the course, and it's unlawful for an unlicensed teen to drive without a valid permit and a qualified licensed adult in the vehicle. To apply for an instruction permit, visit DMV here.

To renew an instruction permit, visit dmv2u.oregon.gov and follow the instructions to "Renew my expiring card" under the License, Permit & ID section. You are not required to retake the knowledge or vision test unless the permit has expired for one year or more. You will be required to surrender your expiring permit.

If a student misses class, the student must make up the missed hours. Please review the following rules:

• Makeup classes must be scheduled through our office.
• No makeup hours can be completed before the first day of class
• If a student misses the first 3 days of class, the student is disqualified from the ODOT Approved Teen Program
• If a student misses more than 10 hours of the regularly scheduled class, the student is disqualified from the ODOT Approved Teen Program

Yes, each of our instructors is licensed by the state to teach classroom and behind-the-wheel training to all age groups. They are allso DMV and ODOT TSD Approved. "Approved Instructor" also "Instructor" means a teacher who holds a valid approved instructor certification card. An approved instructor has successfully completed required training and meets minimum requirements set forth in OAR 737-015-0070.

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 $75 late cancellation fee.

If you registered for private driving lessons, you will be the only student in the car. For the ODOT Teen Course, there is a minimum requirement of six hours of practice driving observation, not exceeding three hours of observation per day or four hours within seven consecutive days per student. Therefore, students must always be paired with other students. Each student will drive for one hour and then switch off to satisfy the observation requirements. 

We do not. All behind the wheel lessons are designed to be conducted on a specific route with a specific start and end location. These routes are carefully prepared to ensure that specific teaching goals are achieved based on pre-determined real life scenarios and environment.

Classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction and practice driving observation must be provided concurrently. Concurrency means the integration of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel instruction. For each student, no fewer than 4 and no more than 10 hours of classroom instruction will be completed before beginning behind-the-wheel instruction. Classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction must be well organized and coordinated.

"Eligible student" means a student that is at least 15 years of age, will complete an approved course before reaching 18 years of age, and has a valid instruction driver permit.

A course may not be completed in fewer than 35 days and no more than 180 days. An extension beyond 180 days may be provided if there is compelling reason dealing with school, family or medical circumstances and has been agreed upon between the provider and parent before completion of the course. Documentation of the agreement must be maintained.