Due to high demand, we are required to make some changes from the way registration worked in the past.

1. Admissions & Registration

1.a. The first step for a beginning driver is to acquire the instruction (learners) permit from the DMV (make your DMV appointment here). Once the beginning driver has acquired their permit then you can register for a driver ed course.

1.b. A student’s permit must be valid at time of registration and through the end date of the course registered for. An invalid permit will result in a drop from the course.

1.c. To register for an upcoming session, please email us (officesodrivered@gmail.com). We’ll place you on our newsletter list so you will receive updates about upcoming sessions, registrations dates, and the link to registration forms when they’re available. This is also the only way to access the registration form when new sessions open.​

1.c.1. Please check your spam or junk folder if you’re not receiving emails from us. They’ll be sent from the email above, officesodrivered@gmail.com, if you want to add us to your safe list.​

1.c.2. PLEASE NOTE: Registration is first come, first serve (based on the time received) and can only be submitted via the link emailed to you. Registration will not be taken over the phone.

1.d. Once we’ve hit the maximum number of registrations for a session, the registration link will be closed and no more will be accepted.

1.e. Once the maximum number of students for a session is reached, registrants will be placed on the waitlist for that session. You will be notified if you are on the waitlist. Only complete registrations (registration form & payment received) will be added to the session or the session’s waitlist

1.f. Payment is due at time of registration. Your registration will not be considered complete until both the form and payment have been completed. The timestamp that is the latest of the registration form or the payment will be used to sort COMPLETE registrations (usually the payment is submitted last, so it’s most common for the payment timestamp to be used for sorting “first come first serve”).

1.g. If the name on the credit card is different from the last name of the registered student, please indicate this on the notes section at the beginning of the registration form.

1.h. At least three weeks before the session starts, there will be a mandatory parent meeting. (see section 4 for more details)

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2. Course Fees & Charges

2.a. The course fee includes a non-refundable $50 registration fee. Any eligible refunds will have that fee deducted before they’re credited.

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2.b. The fee for high school students who are 15-17 years old (y.o) through the end of a session is $450.

2.b.1. A 15-17 y.o. student may receive the scholarship rate of $375 with proof of qualifying for SNAP or free/reduced lunch within the past 6 months.

2.b.2. Parents or guardians agree to pay a fee of $210 if a student (15-17 y.o.) obtains their license on their own prior to the successful completion of all 12 classes and all six behind-the-wheel (BTW) drive lessons.  

2.c. The fee for high school students who are over 18 before the end date of their completed session is $660.

2.c.1. If payment was initially for $450, and the student turns 18 before successfully completing (passing) their final written exam and their final drive assessment, a fee of $210 will be incurred.

2.c.2. Students over 18 will also be required to take a DMV drive test after the course in order to obtain their driver license (this is separate and not a part of the course). (for more details, see section 7, “ODOT Card / Course Completion”)

2.d. Additional fees include:

2.d.1. LESS THAN 24HRS CANCELATION FEE $25: If students do not attend a drive and do not notify the drive instructor or office at least 24 hours prior to their scheduled drive, there will be a $25 cancellation fee.

2.d.2. NO PERMIT AT DRIVE FEE $25: If a student shows up to a drive without their permit, the drive will be cancelled, and the $25 cancelation fee assessed to the student who didn’t have their permit. The drive instructor will reschedule the drive with both drive students at that time.

2.d.3. EXCESSIVE RESCHEDULING FEE $25: This fee is incurred after a student or parent has already rescheduled twice (any of the six drives, no matter how much notice is given). Each instance (starting with the 3rd rescheduling) will result in a $25 fee.

2.d.4. PRIVATE LESSONS $100/hr: Students who require additional driving lessons outside the six drives included in the course will need to pay $100/hour for each private lesson. 

2.d.5. COURSE RETAKE FEE: Students who retake the course are required to pay the full $660 course fee fee, no matter their age.

2.d.6. REASSESS FEE $40: The 6th and final BTW drive is a drive assessment based on all the skills they’ve learned in the course. It must be passed within 30 days of the first scheduled 6th BTW drive in order to successfully complete (pass) the course. Re-assessments scheduled within the 30 days incur no fee. (See section 6 for more details about BTW drives.)

2.d.6.1. Each re-assessment needed after the 30 days will incur a $40 fee.  

2.d.6.2. Per ODOT requirements: students are required to complete (pass) their final drive assessment within 180 days of the first class of their session. If there is an extreme situation that would prevent the BTW drive assessment to be completed within 180 days, please contact our office as soon as the situation arises in order to discuss options. 

2.e. Students who fail their initial course are required to pay the full $660 registration fee before repeating the course.

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3. Drops, Refunds, & Other Fee Policies

3.a. If a student withdraws (drops) at least two weeks prior to the first class, the course fee will be refunded, minus a $50 registration fee.  

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3.b. No refunds will be issued if a student drops any time within 2 weeks before the first day of class. 

3.b.1. This “drop date,” two-weeks before the first class, will be listed in the Class Schedule for each session.

3.c. Suspension, expulsion, or failing the class for any reason will result in fee forfeiture

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3.d. Students dropped by the office for failure to attend after the course begins (see section 5 for more details) will not be refunded. However, the course fee (plus a new $50 registration fee) can be applied to a future session.

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4. Mandatory Parent Meeting

4.a. At least three weeks before the session starts, there will be a mandatory parent meeting. This date will be published with the session dates, and posted on our website under, “Class Schedule.”

4.a.1. The parent meeting is scheduled so that you will have time to make any necessary changes to registration before the two-week drop date if necessary.

4.b. Students are invited & encouraged to attend the meeting.

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4.c. The mandatory parent meeting will be held via Zoom, the link will be emailed a week before the meeting date. The email address submitted in the registration form will be used. If you use your student’s email, make sure to check your student’s email.

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4.d. Attendance at the meeting will be taken based on account name (and to the best of our ability if the name doesn’t match the registered student).  Failure to attend the Mandatory Parent Meeting for any reason will result in your student being dropped from the course.

4.d.1. If the camera is not on, only the parent will receive credit for attending.

4.e. Students who attend the parent meeting receive time credit that can be applied during the course if they are tardy or otherwise need to make up time.

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5. In-Session Policies & Procedures

5.a. Each student will receive a copy of “The Keys to Teaching the Skills of Driving” student booklet and the Playbook on the first day of class.  It is recommended that parents/guardians read through it with their students.

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5.b. ODOT requires students have a a total of 42 hours of driver training/education:

5.b.1. 30 classroom hours. During the school year, classes are twice a week for six weeks. Summer sessions are 5 days of class per week for three weeks.

5.b.2. 12 hours behind-the-wheel, over six weeks during the school year and summer sessions. Each week, each student must have one hour of driving and one hour of observing for their BTW drive time. Typically, there are two students and an instructor in a vehicle for all behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction.

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5.c. ODOT attendance requirements:

5.c.1. ODOT requires attendance at all 12 classes, at least 30 hours in the classroom.

5.c.1.1. The student’s driver ed course will not be considered complete until all 12 classes are completed.

5.c.1.2. The first two classes cannot be missed, or the student will be dropped (see 5.c.3 for more details).

5.c.1.3. For classes #3-12: any missed time must be made-up

5.c.1.3.1. If a student is tardy, the classroom instructor will work with them to make up time before or after future classes.

5.c.1.3.2.  If an entire class is missed, the class can only be made-up during a future session.

5.c.2. ODOT requirements state the first BTW drive must occur after the second and before the fourth class in a session, and the student must have completed at least 6 hours of class time before their first BTW drive. (see section 6, “Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Drives” for more information)

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5.c.3. Should they not be able to attend the first two class and/or the first BTW drive, the student will be dropped with no refund. (see section 6, “Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Drives” for more information)

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5.d. Unless other arrangements are made at the time of registration, S.O.D.E. requires all students who register for a session to complete the coursework for that session by the time the following session is completed.  Example: If enrolled in Spring Session, student must be complete by the end of the first Summer Session.​

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5.e. S.O.D.E. Inc. provides auto insurance coverage for students while driving in education vehicles only.  The student is required to drive at least 5 additional practice hours outside of class with a parent/guardian who has insurance coverage on his/her personal vehicle during the course. A signed 5 Hour Parent Involvement form must be submitted before an ODOT card is released.  5 practice hours is the minimum, however for the student's success, we highly recommend 10 - 15 hours of practice with a parent or other adult.

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5.f. A summer driver education course shall not be completed in fewer than 35 days from the first class of that course.

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5.g. As a "refresher" all students who have successfully completed S.O.D.E.'s ODOT approved driver education course are permitted to attend any later classroom portion at NO CHARGE.  

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6. Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Drives

6.a. A link to the BTW drive time preference form will be emailed at the conclusion of the parent meeting to all those who’ve attended.

6.a.1. BTW drive times will be two-hour blocks for six weeks unless otherwise specified ahead of time by the office.

6.a.2. BTW drive times will be the same time, place, and drive instructor every week – any changes will come from the drive instructor or the office in advance of the lesson.

6.a.3. ODOT requirements state the first BTW drive must occur after the second and before the fourth class in a session, and the student must have completed at least 6 hours of class time before their first BTW drive.

6.a.3.1. This means students cannot miss the first two classes of a session and will be dropped for failure to attend.

6.a.3.2. Students cannot miss the first scheduled BTW drive and will be dropped for failure to attend.

6.a.3.3. Should they not be able to attend the first two classes and/or the first BTW drive, the student will be dropped with no refund.

6.b. Assigned BTW drive partners, times, and locations are final for the full six weeks of the course.

6.b.1. RESCHEDULING & POSTPONING: If, for any reason (conflicts, illness, etc.), a student needs to reschedule their BTW drive, they need to connect with their drive partner and drive instructor to find a mutually agreed-upon time. The drive instructor has full discretion to approve or reject proposed changes.

6.b.2. Excessive rescheduling, starting with the 3rd instance, will result in a $25/instance rescheduling fee.

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7. ODOT Card/Course Completion Certificate

7.a. Students who are between 15-17 y.o. are eligible to receive an “ODOT card” upon successful completion of all course requirements and fees.

7.a.1. Students must have passed all course exams and the BTW drive assessment (see section 5 & 6 for these details)

7.a.2. Any missed time must be made up – the ODOT card will not be issued until at least 30 hours of classroom time have been completed. The classroom instructor will give students their options in accordance with ODOT rules.

7.b. Students who are 18 y.o. or older may request a paper course completion certificate, which can serve as proof for insurance companies.

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7.c. What is the significance of an ODOT card?

7.c.1. Once a teen is at least 16 y.o. and completed all requirements of the course, they can go directly to the DMV with their ODOT card to obtain their driver license.

7.c.1.1. An ODOT card removes a student’s requirement to take a DMV drive test before being issued their driver license

7.c.1.2. This card serves as the “course completion certificate” for students 15-17 y.o. Many insurance companies offer benefits with a “course completion certificate” – you need to check with your insurance company to see what they offer.

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A Grievance Form is provided on our "Forms" page that can be submitted to the DMV.

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