Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can my fourteen year old take Driver Education?
A. Yes, he/she can take the entire 32 class hours, but the student cannot receive his/her permit drive behind the wheel with an instructor until he/she is 15.
Q. When can the driver's ed student apply for learner's permit?
A. Our program is set up to enable the student to test at DPS after the first six hours (or first three days) of class. Driving with the instructors begins immediately after successfully testing and receiving learner's permit.
Q. What type of insurance discount can I expect after a driver's ed student has successfully completed this course?
A. Once the student has successfully completed a State approved driver's ed course(which GCDA is)the student can expect to receive a 10% discount along with a 5% discount for the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Course for a total of 15% discount which is good until age 21.
Q. How many days is a driver's ed student allowed to miss?
A. No more than five sessions. We do have a make-up program (for no more than five sessions) that the student may do at home to be graded by the instructor and kept with student's permanent records.
Q. I know my child will need several items of identification before he receives his permit, what are they and when are they needed.
A. The instructor will hand out a sheet advising that the following items will need to be taken to DPS to obtain their permit after the third day of classes. They are: 1. Original or certified copy of birth certificate; 2. Social Security Card (not just number); 3. 80 day proof of enrollment; 4. Application (provided by Gulf Coast Driving Academy; and 5. Driver Education Certificate (provided by Gulf Coast Driving Academy).
Q. Is my child allowed to be late for class?
A. We have a very strict policy concerning late entry to class. If your child is going to be late for class, it is best to skip the class and do a make up lesson. The instructor will not let the student in if they are late.
Q. At what point should I start practicing with my teen driver?
A. Parents should absolutely allow the student to practice with them; however, if we decide after the third hour of behind the wheel that the student needs extra practice we will issue the student a "Yellow-Caution Form" which will explain to the parent what type of practice would be most helpful.
Q. My child has a learning disability can he/she take driver education course?
A. Yes, he/she can take Drivers Education. Please make a point to tell us when the student registers that he/she has a learning problem so we can advise the instructor. It may be necessary for the student to have more study time at home.
Q. What is a 80-day Proof of Enrollment?
A. (VOE form) This form is obtained from the last school attended.(During school year - proof of school enrollment expires every 30 days. During the summer it expires within 90 days.) Be sure to obtain your proof of school enrollment before you go to DPS to test for your learner’s permit. You are to take the student's social security card, original or certified copy of birth certificate along with the 80 day enrollment and two forms supplied by the school when you appear at DPS for the student's learner's permit.
If you are from out of state or from out of the country, you should obtain a letter from the school you last attended on official letterhead which states that the student attended at least 80 days of school last semester and is currently enrolled in school this semester and signed by the principal.
If you home-school your child, you must sign a form at DPS stating that the student is home-schooled. If you have a GED use your GED certificate.
Q. How can I get a hardship license for my child?
A. You must submit an application to DPS for a hardship license. The student must be 15 years of age and must have completed driver education. For more information please call DPS at 265-4261 and ask for DPS.
Q. What if my student does not have a Social Security Card?
A. The student must obtain a letter or a card from Social Security Office.
Q. What does my student do if he/she loses their permit?
A. The student must go to DPS for re-issuance. We cannot drive with the student unless he/she has their permit on their person. If you find that the student has lost their permit and they are scheduled to drive, please contact the school at least 4 hours before the driving time in order for the school to contact another driver for that time slot.
