Terms of Service

Dear Student and Parent,

Welcome to Andy’s Driving Academy. We are excited to coach you in your driving adventure.

Our program is regulated by the Secretary of State. We strive to meet the needs of any student that goes through our program. We have created a learning environment that is inclusive to all learning styles. Your driving experience will meet the needs of our great State of Maine as well as the community, individuals, and specifically the student.

IDENTIFICATION: In order to start driver education, students MUST BE AT LEAST 15 YEARS OLD ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS. A copy of the student’s birth certificate, passport, or other government issued ID will be required to prove their date of birth.

VISION: A vision screening will be conducted before the student is eligible to participate in any behind-the-wheel training. A passing vision screening will be a vision of at least 20/40 in the best eye with or without corrective lenses. If this is not met, the student will be given an MVE 103 and will have to see an optometrist to get glasses or contacts. Once corrective lenses are received, the student will then be able to start the behind-the-wheel portion.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE CLASS: To complete driver education, the student must be present for 30 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. If the student is unable to attend their scheduled class, they must notify the office, so that we can find a makeup class date for them to attend. Missing any of the first 3 classes will result in a delay in starting the behind-the-wheel portion of their instruction.

We administer a final written exam. Students must complete all required classes leading up to the exam in order to be successful. The minimum score to pass is 80. If a student does not pass, they will be able to retake the exam, on a different date.

Parent/Guardian participation is required by the State of Maine. We ask that parents attend a 1-hour ride along during the behind-the-wheel instruction. This is a very important component in the continuous instruction for parents/guardians once their experience is complete with us.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF BEHIND-THE-WHEEL INSTRUCTION: The State of Maine requires that students attend class #1, #2 and #3 before any behind-the-wheel instruction can take place. Driving hours are scheduled based on each student’s availability and the instructor’s availability. Currently, some of the other driving schools are scheduling their students 3-4 months out to start driving. We are definitely sooner than that, but keep in mind that driving can take up to 3 months to complete. We work hard to make sure that every student completes in a timely manner. If there is a timing situation, please communicate with us, so we can work as a team to support the student in any way that we can.

Students are expected to meet the driving instructor at the time of their scheduled drive. Student drives will begin and end at the Andy’s Driving Academy Office. In certain circumstances we can pick up or drop off your student. These arrangements are a case-by-case basis. If your student is being picked up or dropped off, it can affect their driving time. We must discuss this option before we can schedule it. If the student is unable to attend, we require a 24-hour notice. If a student fails to contact the office or the instructor, there will be a $50 no show fee for each hour of instruction that is missed.

CR-24 MEDICAL FORM: Students with certain medical conditions must have their doctor fill out an evaluation form and return to class. We will send it to the Augusta BMV. Students will be unable to drive until this form is completed and approved. If you are unsure of this requirement, please feel free to contact our office with questions.

PAYMENT: We accept cash, check, money order, and credit card. If you are paying by check, there will be a charge of $35 if your check is returned. By paying with check, you agree to the terms of this policy. Payments can be made by phone or in person at our office. Payments can also be accepted before or after class. Payments will not be processed during classroom instruction.

Students must be paid in full to start their behind-the-wheel portion of instruction. If the tuition is a hardship for your family, please contact our office, we may be able to work with you on payments.

REFUNDS: Our goal is to complete each of the requirements for driver education successfully. If a student is unable to complete the requirements, our refund policy is as follows and will be deducted from the course fee:

• $15 administration fee
• $25 for each hour of classroom instruction
• $55 for each behind-the-wheel instruction hour

CLASS CANCELLATIONS: In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as weather or illness, class may need to be canceled. If a class is canceled, we will work to reschedule the class in a timely manner so that the students will still complete their in-class portion in a timely manner. You will be contacted by phone, email, or text message with a makeup class date if this occurs. If the public schools are closed for weather, classes will most likely be canceled.

TIME LIMIT: If a student must stop the driver education course and wishes to finish at a later date, The State of Maine allows you to complete the course in 6 months. If the student is unable to complete the course within 6 months of the last date of instruction, they will need to retake the driver education course in full. All tuition fees will apply.

DRIVING ON YOUR PERMIT: Once the student has obtained their permit, the requirement is that there must be, in the passenger seat, someone at least 20 years old who has held a valid driver license for at least two years. Before requesting a road test for the license, students under the age of 21 must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Held your permit for at least 6 months
• Complete 70 hours of drive time, 10 hours of which are at night.

We look forward to working with our students and families to create safe drivers. We are locally owned and operated and take pride in the communities we serve. Nobody was born knowing how to drive, and it is our passion to support the community by teaching, coaching, and mentoring the drivers of tomorrow. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Together we can achieve great things! “Driving is Our Business”.