Triad Driving Academy FAQ
Triad Driving Academy FAQ
Parent Class FAQs
When do I have to attend a parent class?
Beginning May 1, 2019, a parent/guardian of any student under the age of 18 are required to complete the mandatory two-hour parent course BEFORE a student can start scheduling any behind-the-wheel lessons and in-car observation lessons. All students that are signed up for a class starting after May 1, 2019, will have to comply with these new RMV requirements.
Can I attend if my child went to another driving school?
Yes, parents from another school wishing to attend can do so at no charge. Please contact us to let us know which parent class you will be attending.
What is the cost of the parent class?
There is no cost to attend a parent class.
Do both parents have to attend?
Only one parent or guardian is required to attend, but we love to see both!
How often do you hold parent classes?
We typically hold them once a month either on a weekday evening or on a Saturday morning.
I lost my parent class certificate of completion. Can I get another or do you have a copy?
We keep a record of the parent class you attended with the student's paperwork and can provide another if needed.
Classroom
What do I need to bring on the first day of class?
The only thing you need to bring on the first day of class is lunch or money to buy lunch. We will provide a RMV book, pen, highlighter, notepaper, and a folder.
Do I need a permit to start the classroom portion of Drivers Ed?
A permit is not necessary to start the classroom portion. You do need to be age 15 years and 9 months. During the classroom portion, we go over the RMV manual from cover to cover. If you do not have your permit, the class will prepare you for the permit test.
Behind-the-Wheel
What do I need to bring on my first driving lesson?
Your permit and glasses if needed. Please do not wear flipflops for behind-the-wheel driving lessons.
Can I attend classroom and have a behind-the-wheel lesson scheduled for the same day?
No. The RMV does not allow a student to attend six hours of classroom training and a two-hour behind the wheel lesson on the same day.
Can I schedule two behind-the-wheel lessons on the same day?
No. The RMV does not allow you to schedule two lessons per day.
What happens if I need to cancel a behind-the-wheel lesson?
Triad has a $75 cancellation fee if a scheduled behind-the-wheel lesson is cancelled without a 36 hour notice.
Can I complete behind-the-wheel lessons at Triad if I took the classroom portion somewhere else?
At this time we cannot acommodate behind the wheel lessons only if you completed your classroom training at another driving school.
Road Test
What are the road test options once driving lessons are completed?
You can schedule your road test on your own with the RMV once your driver's ed certificate has been issued. Triad offers two options for road tests:
- Take the road test with us at our facility
- Schedule a time with the RMV between 8 am and 1 pm on a weekday during the school year and Triad may be able to provide sponsorship and a vehicle for the road test.
What if I book a road test with Triad and then have to reschedule?
If you book a road test with Triad Driving Academy at our facility and cancel after booking has been made with the RMV, then a $50 cancellation fee will be charged to you.
Is there a charge if I schedule a private road test prep lesson and then cancel it?
There is a $50 fee charged to you if you cancel a scheduled private road test prep lesson less than 24 hrs before the scheduled time. This $50 fee also applies if you do not show up for your lesson.
General
What are the fees that need to be paid DIRECTLY to the RMV?
The RMV requires a $30 permit test fee, a $35 road test fee, and a $50 license fee. These fees can all be paid at the time of the permit test so that you do not have to make a trip to the RMV again. Triad cannot accept payment of these fees.
How do I obtain another permit if I have lost or misplaced mine?
If a permit is lost or misplaced, you can obtain another one by visiting your local RMV branch and paying a $15 fee.
What are my payment options?
A deposit is required at the time of registration to reserve a spot in the chosen class. The remaining balance can be paid at your discretion while the student is completing the behind-the-wheel lessons. Balances should be paid in full before the student can schedule their last behind-the-wheel lesson.
What is your refund policy?
If at any time before the end of the classroom training you are not completely satisfied, we will refund all the money that has been paid.
What is the process to transfer a student to another driving school?
Each component of the driver education program (30 hours in-classroom or on-road instruction that consists of 12 hours of behind-the-wheel and six hours of observation) must be completed at one driving school or separately at two driving schools. Neither component may be divided between schools unless pre-approved by the RMV.
Adaptive Driving
How much does a driving evaluation cost?
The cost of the evaluation is $425.00
Are there other fees involved?
Refer to the Adaptive Driving Fee Schedule under Helpful Forms in the Rules & Resources section.
How long does the driving evaluation take?
The evaluation usually takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
Where do the driving evaluations take place?
All driving evaluations and any follow up lessons are conducted in our Beverly office located at 81 Bridge St Beverly.
What does the driving evaluation assess?
The evaluation is conducted by an occupational therapist with specialized training in driver rehabilitation which will assess the underlying skills needed for safe driving. This includes memory, cognition, attention, executive function skills, visual perception, physical coordination and an in-car assessment dependent on the client's needs to further assess executive function skills (ability to sustain attention and attend to the most important visual information a driver needs to be safe behind the wheel) in real time or a behind the wheel driving assessment if you are a licensed and experienced driver.
Why do I need a MD referral?
An MD referral is mandated for any OT evaluation. This also provides our OT with important medical information that may impact safe driving.
What will happen during the driving evaluation?
First, we will start with a discussion regarding your past medical history (if one), any concerns you or others may with driving, and a brief interview about yourself including typical driving destinations, your day-to-day activities, home and/or work life obligations, etc. We then transition to components of the evaluation including paper and pencil assessments, physical, cognitive and visual assessments. For some, we will then conduct an in-car component of the evaluation as described in the question what does the evaluation assess?
What if I need adapted controls due to a physical condition?
Our vehicle is equipped with an electronic left foot accelerator, various hand controls and pedal extensions.
What if I need my personal vehicle modified for adaptions?
We work with various vehicle modifiers to assist with modifying your personal vehicle.
Will I be able to have my vehicle modified after my evaluation?
Not right away. Once we have completed the initial evaluation and determined appropriate needs, the client will then undergo training conducted over several one hour lessons to become proficient in use of the adaptations. Once this is complete, a medical competency RMV road test will be required to be a licensed operator of a vehicle with adaptations. When an individual passes the road test, a "prescription" detailing the adaptations that the individual will be needing is written by the OT driver rehab specialist (DRS) that has been servicing you to then be sent to the vehicle modifier for modification.
What happens once my vehicle is modified?
Once the vehicle modifier completes the installation, a vehicle check-out with all the parties included (the client, the prescribing OT DRS and the vehicle modifier) will meet to ensure the modifications are installed as requested and that the client is able to safely use.
How do I take an RMV medical competency test if I need adaptations to my vehicle?
Our adapted vehicle, the one that you will be using for all of your training, will be available to sponsor your RMV road test.
Does insurance cover the cost of a driving evaluation?
We are private pay only. Some insurance providers may accept a receipt of services for reimbursement.
Are the contents of the driving evaluation shared with the RMV?
That is dependent on the type of evaluation being conducted. If there are any safety concerns highlighted within the evaluation or if there is a question of an individual's safety to operate a motor vehicle, the results may be shared with the referring MD and with RMV if needed.