Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What does the day-to-day schedule look like?
In class instruction is typically Mon–Fri. 30 hours of curriculum must be covered. Behind-the-wheel instruction is scheduled by the student when it fits their availability.
Q: Does my student need a permit?
No, they do not need a permit to drive with a certified driving school in TN. It is highly recommended that your student obtain their permit prior to beginning the behind-the-wheel portion of the course because, they DO need a permit to be on the road with anyone else (parent, guardian, family friends, etc.).
Q: What ages do you teach?
We accept ALL ages from 15 years and up! If applying for Tennessee’s Hardship License, we accept students as young as 14 years old!
Q: Can we make payments while our student takes classes?
The entire tuition must be received in-full before your seat is confirmed and before a student can begin attending classes.
Q: How much is the class?
Our Standard New Driver Course is $729 and our Comprehensive New Driver Course is $900. That includes all in-class time, behind-the-wheel, instruction, mock road tests, and their TN State road test when eligible.
Q: How much is the deposit?
A $100.00 tuition deposit is required to reserve a seat in a specific course. This deposit is applied toward your student's total tuition.
Q: Does paying the deposit guarantee our spot in the class we want?
No. Submitting an enrollment form lets us know which course your student would like to attend, but it does not reserve a place or guarantee enrollment.
Your student's enrollment is confirmed only after Steer Clear Driver's Ed receives the $100.00 tuition deposit and sends an enrollment confirmation email. The deposit is applied toward your student's total tuition.
If a course is pending approval or has not yet been opened for enrollment, you may still submit an enrollment form to let us know you're interested. We will contact you if that course becomes available.
Q: Can I pay for just the drives?
No. Additional drives can be purchased at a rate of $50/drive for students who are currently enrolled in a course, or have already completed a course with us in the past year.
Q: My student is neurodivergent; can you teach them to drive?
Everyone deserves the opportunity to gain their independence and practice their driving skills. Please review our Policies & Expectationspage and contact us directly to discuss your student’s individual strengths and needs and whether we might be a good fit.
Q: Why does the course last 6–8 weeks if classroom instruction is only a couple of weeks?
Students spend the first two weeks completing an in-depth curriculum that ensures all students start with the same educational foundation before hitting the road. The remaining weeks are spent completing six individually scheduled behind-the-wheel lessons.
Q: Will this help reduce my insurance rates?
Talk to your insurance broker or directly with your carrier about a possible discount. Many of the most common insurance companies do offer Driver Education discounts.
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Q: What do you cover during the in-class session?
We cover 19 chapters of AAA’s How to Drive curriculum, including TN laws, traffic rules, vehicle handling, impaired driving, safety tech, and much more. Classes include discussion, review, and homework.
Q: What if we need to miss a class?
Students must attend all in-class sessions before driving, per TN state regulations. A missed in-class session cannot be made-up during the course.
Missed classroom hours cannot be made up by attending a different course, a different location, a different class date, or by combining attendance from multiple courses. If you miss a class, you will be required to reenroll in a future course and complete that course in its entirety. No refunds will be issued, regardless of the reason for absence.
Q: Can we bring food and drinks to class?
Yes! Please feel free to bring snacks or a light meal. We ask that you save any foods that might be noisy or have a strong odor for home consumption.
Q: Can we drop off our student early for class?
The classroom is open to students only during their scheduled class hours. We can't supervise students before or after class because our instructors may be conducting other classes or drives, training, completing administrative work, and fulfilling other scheduled responsibilities throughout the day.
Please plan for your student to arrive no more than 5-10 minutes before class begins and be picked up promptly when class ends.
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Q: How does the driving portion work?
Students complete six, 1-hour drive sessions after completing the in-class study. Each drive begins and ends at our classroom with a certified instructor.
Q: What if we need to miss a drive?
We try to be flexible - if the schedule allows we will try to accommodate a missed drive if we have at least 48 hours’ notice. A last-minute missed drive may incur a $50 "Missed Drive Fee”.
Q: Do I bring my own car for my student to drive?
No, we must use one of our TN Department of Safety inspected and approved vehicles. Our vehicles have dual brake pedals that allow the instructor to maintain control of the vehicle.
Q: Can we just take the driving part and skip the classroom?
No, TN regulations require a minimum of 30 in-class hours before you are allowed behind-the-wheel.
Q: What if six drives isn’t enough for my student?
Six hours behind-the-wheel might not seem like much to an average or experienced driver, but for a new driver, there is an abundance of learning going on. Most students area able to safely and confidently navigate complex driving by the time they complete their six drives.
Some students do need more drives. We offer additional drives beyond the first six, to current or former students, at a rate of $50 per drive.
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Keep Electronics Put Away – Use of cellphones, tablets, ear buds, or smart watches is strictly prohibited in class and behind the wheel.
Follow Directions the First Time – Listen and respond to instructions the first time they are given to save time and avoid dangerous situations.
Participate Positively – Engage in class discussions and activities, contributing ideas and staying focused on the topic.
Abusive Behavior Prohibited – Maintain respectful and safe behavior at all times towards all people. Any form of aggression or abuse—including posturing, intimidation, throwing objects, or physical contact—is strictly prohibited in class or behind the wheel and grounds for dismissal.
Use Appropriate Language – Communicate respectfully with both peers and teachers, avoid inappropriate language, and no insults.
Be Punctual and Prepared – If you are not in the car at your scheduled drive time, the car may leave without you.
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Q: Can I take this class online?
The 8-hour DIP class is in-person only.
Q: How often is DIP available?
We offer the 8-hour DIP class once per month during the first week of the month.
Q: How much is this class?
$125. No hidden fees.
Q: Is this going to satisfy the court?
Our 8-hour, in-person DIP class satisfies most court requirements and all of TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security requirements as we are a TN State inspected and approved driving school.
Q: When can I get my license reinstated after this class?
Completion of the Driver Improvement (DIP) course does not automatically reinstate your driver's license. Every driver's situation is different, and reinstatement requirements depend on your individual driving record, court orders, and any requirements imposed by the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TN DOSHS).
Because we do not have access to your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) or your reinstatement requirements, we cannot determine when your driving privileges will be reinstated or whether you have satisfied all requirements.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive your Certificate of Completion the same day. You should then follow the instructions provided by TN DOSHS or the court handling your case.
A helpful resource can be found here at TN Reinstatements.
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Q: Is it okay if I have a permit from another state?
Absolutely! However, your Testing Certification is only valid within the State of Tennessee. You will also need to satisfy any document requirements the Driver Service Center requests to obtain your license in TN.
Q: I haven’t taken my permit test yet, is that okay?
Yes! Oftentimes, students have not completed the knowledge test yet. Be aware that you will have to complete the knowledge test before you are allowed to get your license though. This step cannot be skipped.
Q: My license is suspended under the GDL program, can I still take a new driver class?
Yes; however, students must have no permit, or must hold a valid permit or license in order to be allowed drive with us. A student may attend the in-class sessions while they work on reinstating their license privileges.
You may need to take the DIP course before your license can be reinstated.
Q: Can I get my license early if I take a New Driver Course?
Pursuant to T.C.A., no student may receive their license prior to their 16th birthday, unless they have applied for and been granted a Hardship License by TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Q: How do we apply for a Hardship License for our 14 or 15 year old?
A Hardship License is a special license granted to a 14 or 15 year old under certain circumstances. There are necessary steps you must follow to apply for this license with TNDOSH. Please visit their website here.
Q: I received a suspension notice. How soon should I register for the Driver Improvement (DIP) class?
Register as soon as you receive your notice from the Tennessee Department of Safety or the court. Our Driver Improvement (DIP) class is typically offered once each month, and seating is limited. Waiting until the deadline approaches may result in fewer scheduling options or a class date that does not meet your required timeline.
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Q: When can we road test?
Once a student has completed our course, and is 15 1/2 years of age, they may be road tested by one of our instructors.
Q: What if we don’t speak English?
English is the only language spoken in class, during behind-the-wheel training, and during the road skills test pursuant to T.C.A..
All students must demonstrate sufficient English comprehension to safely participate in instruction and complete state-required testing.
Q: What is the purpose of a Mock Road Test?
The mock road tests are used as an assessment that gives Steer Clear examiner's an opportunity to identify problem areas that may need additional work before the road test.
Mock tests also help many students who struggle with test anxiety by letting them experience predictability and repetition with what the actual road test will be like.
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This section of our website is under construction ℹ️
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Affidavidt of Financial Responsibility & School Attendance
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Steer Clear Driver’s Ed Policies & Expectations are linked below. These policies supplement the TNDOSHS-approved enrollment contract and may be updated from time to time, and that the policies in effect at the time of my enrollment will apply to my participation in the program.
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Q: What happens if I need to change classes or withdraw from the course?
We understand that schedules can change, and we'll do our best to accommodate transfer requests whenever possible.
More than 7 days before your class begins: Tuition may be transferred to another available New Driver Course at no additional cost, provided space is available.
Less than 7 days before your class begins: Tuition is no longer eligible for transfer. A partial refund may be issued at Steer Clear's discretion, and full tuition will be due to enroll in a future course.
If your requested class is full: Your student will be placed on a waitlist or may choose another course with available openings.
Q: What happens if Steer Clear has to cancel a class?
Students will receive a full refund or may choose to transfer their tuition to another available class.
Q: My student was dismissed for a policy violation, can we get a refund?
No refunds are provided for students dismissed due to violations of the Alcohol & Drug Policy, abusive or aggressive behavior, or any safety-related dismissal.
Q: We didn’t complete all our drives. How long do we have to complete the course?
Students must complete all required behind-the-wheel lessons within one (1) year of beginning the course. Students who do not complete the course within one year must re-enroll and pay the current tuition.
Q: Can I get my deposit back if I change my mind?
The $100 deposit is non-refundable as it secures a seat in the course you have chosen. It is applied towards your tuition for that course.
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AAA’s How to Drive Novice Driver Training Program is a complete driver education curriculum that takes a comprehensive, learner centered approach to reduced-risk driving and introduces new drivers and their families to the following information.
o Introduction
o Ch. 1 – Welcome to Driving!
o Ch. 2 – Knowing Your Vehicle
o Ch. 3 – Vehicle Space Needs, Natural Laws, and Traction
o Ch. 4 – Starting, Steering, and Stopping
o Ch. 5 - Signs, Signals, Road Markings, and Communication
o Ch. 6 – Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road
o Ch. 7 – Vision and Perception
o Ch. 8 – Time and Space
o Ch. 9 – Changing Lanes, Turning, and Parking
o Ch. 10 – Sharing the Road
o Ch. 11 – Intersections and Freeway Driving
o Ch. 12 – Alcohol and Driving
o Ch. 13 – Drug-Impaired Driving and Illness
o Ch. 13 – Drug-Impaired Driving and Illness
o Ch. 14 – Distracted Driving
o Ch. 15 – Drowsy Driving, Sleep, and Emotions
o Ch. 15 – Drowsy Driving, Sleep, and Emotions
o Ch. 16 – Driving Conditions and Environments
o Ch. 17 – Emergency Situations
o Ch. 18 – Fuel-Efficient Driving and Tire Safety
o Ch. 19 – Vehicle Safety Technology and Self-Driving Vehicles
This curriculum is paired with the TN Comprehensive Driver Manual to ensure we cover Tennessee specific variations of traffic law that are often misunderstood.