Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do you cover during the in-class session?
We cover 19 chapters including TN laws, traffic rules, vehicle handling, impaired driving, and safety tech. 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 over two weeks. Each 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 a TN Department of Safety inspected and approved vehicle. Our vehicles have passenger side brakes that allow the instructor to stop or slow 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 we allow you behind-the-wheel.
Q: What does the day-to-day schedule look like?
Week 1: Tue–Fri, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM. Week 2: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–12:00 PM. Weeks 3 & 4: 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 have their permit in hand.***
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 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.
Schedule Overview - SUMMER 2025
IN-CLASS INSTRUCTION (Total: 30 Hours)
Week 1:
Monday: No Class (Memorial Day)
Tuesday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM (4.5 hours/day)
Week 2:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (3.5 hours/day)
Attendance is mandatory for all classroom sessions.
DRIVE WEEKS (Weeks 3 & 4)
During Weeks 3 and 4, 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.
Each student signs up for 3 drive sessions per week
Each session is 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)
Johnny Example’s Drive Schedule
Week 3:
Tues, Thurs, Fri → 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
(Drives at 10 AM, observes at 11 AM)
Week 4:
Mon, Wed → 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Fri → 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
(Each includes 1 hour driving, 1 hour observing)
Syllabus Overview - SUMMER 2025
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 Drive Sign-ups must be finalized for Week 3 AND Week 4