Frequently Asked Questions
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 daily homework. (See the course syllabus below)
Q: How does the driving portion work?
Students complete six 2-hour sessions after completing the in-class study. Each drive includes 1 hour of driving and 1 hour observing another student. (See the example schedule below)
Q: Do I bring my own car for my student to drive?
No, we use one of our TN Department of Safety inspected and approved vehicles. Our vehicles have instructor gas and brake pedals that allow the instructor to maintain control of the vehicle if necessary.
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 does the day-to-day schedule look like?
Week 1 - 2: In class instruction Mon–Fri, 4:00PM - 7:00 PM. Weeks 3 - 6 (or 8): Students drive during scheduled 2-hour sessions.
Summer schedules are consolidated into 4 weeks, compared to our 6 weeks courses during the rest of the year.
Q: What if we need to miss a class?
Students must attend all in-class sessions before driving, per TN state regulations. We try to be flexible; if the schedule allows we will try to accommodate a missed drive if it is a verifiable emergency. A last-minute missed drive may incur a "Missed Drive Fee” though.
Q: Does my student need a permit?
No, they do not need a permit to drive with a certified driving school in TN. However, they DO need a permit to be on the road with anyone else (parent, guardian, family friends, etc.).
*** Before a final road test can be administered, your student must be 15 1/2 years of age.***
Q: What ages do you teach?
We accept ALL ages from 15 years old and beyond. If applying for Tennessee’s Hardship License, we accept students as young as 14 years old!
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: What if we don’t speak English as our native language?
English is the only language spoken during the road skills test pursuant to TN law. Students must be able to speak and understand the English language in order for instructions to be comprehended.
Q: Can we make payments while our student takes classes?
A flexible payment plan is an option on our enrollment form; however, the entire tuition must be received in-full before your student can begin attending classes. A separate Payment Plan Agreement must be entered into by both the parent/guardian and Steer Clear.
Schedule Overview - Fall/Winter
IN-CLASS INSTRUCTION (Total: 30 Hours)
Week 1 - 2: Monday – Friday, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (3 hours/day)
Attendance is mandatory for all classroom sessions in order to participate in any behind-the-wheel training.
DRIVE WEEKS (Weeks 3 & 4)
During Weeks 3 - 6 (or 8), students will not be in class from 8 AM – 5 PM, even though those are our listed business hours. Instead, students will participate in scheduled drive times.
Most sessions are 2 hours long
Drives are paired – 2 students per session
Each Drive Session Includes:
1 hour of individual driving
1 hour of back-seat observation (engaged learning while partner drives)
Syllabus Overview - SUMMER
IN-CLASS INSTRUCTION (Total: 30 Hours) – Aside from Day 1, it is expected that you will have completed the Chapter Readings prior to class and be actively engaged in discussion and activities. There will be daily homework to be completed as well.
WEEK 1:
Day 1 –
o Introduction
o Ch. 1 – Welcome to Driving!
o Ch. 2 – Knowing Your Vehicle
Day 2 –
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
Day 3 –
o Ch. 5 - Signs, Signals, Road Markings, and Communication
o Ch. 6 – Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road
o Tennessee-specific Driving Laws
Day 4 –
o Ch. 7 – Vision and Perception
o Ch. 8 – Time and Space
WEEK 2:
Day 5 –
o Ch. 9 – Changing Lanes, Turning, and Parking
o Ch. 10 – Sharing the Road
o Ch. 11 – Intersections and Freeway Driving
Day 6 –
o Ch. 12 – Alcohol and Driving
o Ch. 13 – Drug-Impaired Driving and Illness
Day 7 –
o Ch. 14 – Distracted Driving
o Ch. 15 – Drowsy Driving, Sleep, and Emotions
o Drive Sign-ups become available
Day 8 –
o Ch. 16 – Driving Conditions and Environments
o Ch. 17 – Emergency Situations
Day 9 –
o Ch. 18 – Fuel-Efficient Driving and Tire Safety
o Ch. 19 – Vehicle Safety Technology and Self-Driving Vehicles
o Testing