Driver Ed FAQ

Michigan Driving Schools LLC Policies and Fees

Late/Reschedule Fees

Instructors work on an appointment-only basis and are only paid while performing instruction. Therefore, we have the following policies for late and no-show appointments. These fees are used to compensate our instructors:

• 24-Hour Advanced Notice Cancellation Policy: Any behind-the-wheel (BTW) drive canceled after the 24-hour grace period has expired will be assessed a fee of $55. The business office is closed on weekends, so the prior Friday must cancel BTW lessons scheduled on Mondays.
• Late Arrival and Proper Foot Attire: Any student who is 5 minutes or more late for a pre-scheduled drive or arrives without proper foot attire will have their lesson canceled, and a $55 fee will be applied to their account. Fees must be paid before BTW gives any other instruction. Students will be responsible for rescheduling their lessons through their portal.
• Adverse Weather Cancellations, Late Shows, & Reschedules: Do not apply. Please see our adverse weather cancellation policy for more details.

Reissued Certificate

• Students are given one printed copy of their certificate of completion. There will be a fee of $30 for all reissued certificates. The reissued certificate will be emailed to the student and parent addresses in the student's profile within 24 hours of receiving payment. 

Segment Certificate of Completion Reprints Due to Name Change Fee

• The state of Michigan requires the student's full legal name (First, Middle, Last) on their Completion Certificate. Students can edit their profile if their name is incorrect or abbreviated. Corrections must be made before the certificate is generated. A $30 fee will be applied for reprinting due to incorrect spelling once printed.

Returned Check Fee

• A fee of $175 will be applied for any returned checks.

Refunds/Cancellations

• Michigan Driving Schools will refund money for services not rendered, minus the following processing fees and any credit card fees associated with the transaction within 48 hours of purchase. 
• Online self-paced courses: A full refund of Adult driver education minus a $50 processing fee within 48 hours of purchase, road exam minus a $15 processing fee refunded within 48 hours of purchase, and vehicle maintenance minus a $20 processing refunded within 48 hours of purchase.
• Segment 2 will be refunded minus a $45 processing fee.
• Once you begin the service by attending one classroom session (in person or virtually via Zoom live stream), accessing the link to the self-paced course, or scheduling behind-the-wheel training (including planned lessons that were not attended or canceled), we will not offer refunds for sessions that have not been completed.
• Instructors post their schedules well in advance, and we expect you to follow through with the reserved enrollment service. It is essential to understand our 48-hour refund policy. No refunds will be given 48 hours after the time of payment.
• However, we offer the option to transfer your payment/enrollment by paying a re-enrollment or course transfer fee of $50 if notice is given seven days before the start of the enrolled service.
• Please note that all sales are final. No refunds will be issued for any reason, including but not limited to outstanding fees, failure to schedule behind-the-wheel lessons within the contract period, missing classes within the contract period, inability to make up missed lessons/classes, failure to complete testing within the specified timeframe, facing expulsion, or simply changing your mind. Additionally, no refunds will be provided due to illness or if you seek services from another provider to complete your training.
• It is crucial to adhere to these guidelines and timelines to ensure a smooth learning experience within our program.

Classroom Policy

• Students are required to attend every day of the classroom session. A fee of $30 will be applied to a student's account for any make-up days. The first day and test exam day are mandatory. Students who miss the first session will be dropped from the course and charged a fee of $50. Students who miss the final exam day will be charged a fee of $45.
  

Virtual Classroom Policy (Mandatory First and Last Day In-Person Attendance)

• Students must attend the first and last day in person. Students missing the first day will be dropped from the course, a fee of $50 will be applied to the account, and they will need to contact us via email or text at 810-300-9124 to request course transfer options. 

In-Person Classroom Policy (Mandatory First-Day Attendance)

• Students must attend the first day of class in person. Students missing the first day will be dropped from the course, a fee of $50 will be applied to the account, and they will need to contact us via email or text at 810-300-9124 to request course transfer options.

Classroom Reschedule

• Any student who reschedules their classroom session, in-person or via virtual live stream on Zoom, will be charged a $50 administration fee. 

Student Eligibility

• Eligibility is determined via the state of Michigan ECARS system. If a student is found ineligible, a fee of $45 will be applied to the student's account.
• The student must contact us via email or text at 810-300-9124 after becoming eligible to reschedule the course.
• Students who are ineligible due to traffic citations forfeit their tuition paid and must re-enroll and pay full tuition again.

Reactivated Account Fee

• If a student's account is deactivated due to non-payment within five business days by the 1st of the month (whichever comes first) or due to inactivity, a reactivation fee of $50 will be applied to the account. Additionally, students must complete services of enrollment within 90 days of the first-course attendance. This fee must be paid to resume access to courses and services.

Forgotten/Missing Permit/License

• Any student who forgets to bring their required valid temporary instruction permit (for students 18 years or older) or G.D.L level license (for teen private parking and behind-the-wheel lesson instruction) to their pre-scheduled drive lesson will have their lesson canceled. The lesson must be rescheduled via their student portal, and they will be subject to a $55 fee. This is a state requirement.

Students are given one printed copy of their certificate of completion upon completing the course. If a Certificate of Completion is lost or destroyed, a fee of $30 is required to receive another. The certificate will be emailed within 24 - 48 hours of receiving payment. It can only be emailed to the email addresses listed at the time of enrollment.

Enrollments can be transferred to another class or a different location by paying a course transfer fee of 50 dollars.

Customers can request a refund within 48 hours of enrollment. Refund: After 48 hours, all sales are final. A processing fee of 50 dollars is applied to all refunds.

Refund Policy

Michigan Driving Schools will refund money for services not rendered, minus a $100 processing fee, within 48 hours of purchase. Online self-paced courses will be refunded for services not rendered, minus a $75 processing fee, within 48 hours of purchase.

Once you begin the service by attending one classroom session (in person or virtually via Zoom live stream), accessing the link to the self-paced course, or scheduling behind-the-wheel training (including planned lessons that were not attended or canceled), we will not offer refunds for sessions that have not been completed.

Instructors post their schedules well in advance, and we expect you to follow through with the reserved enrollment service. It is essential to understand our 48-hour refund policy. No refunds will be given 48 hours after the time of payment.

However, we offer the option to transfer your payment/enrollment by paying a re-enrollment or course transfer fee of $50 if notice is given seven days before the start of the enrolled service.

Please note that all sales are final, and no refunds will be issued for any reason, including but not limited to outstanding fees, failure to schedule behind-the-wheel lessons within the contract period, missing classes within the contract period, inability to make up missed lessons/classes, failure to complete testing within the specified timeframe, facing expulsion, or simply changing your mind. Additionally, no refunds will be provided due to illness or if you seek services from another provider to complete your training.

It is crucial to adhere to these guidelines and timelines to ensure a smooth learning experience within our program.

Michigan Driving Schools Privacy Policy Effective: Latest Update: December 27, 2024

Welcome to Michigan Driving Schools, where we prioritize our clients and website visitors' privacy and security. Our Privacy Policy is committed to safeguarding your personal information and providing transparency on how we collect, use, and protect it. We value your trust in us and want to ensure your data is handled responsibly. By outlining the types of personal information we gather, the purposes for which we utilize it, and the measures we implement to safeguard it, we aim to maintain a secure and trustworthy relationship with you. Rest assured that your privacy is of utmost importance to us, and we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and data protection.

Information Collection

Understanding the information that may be collected during the process is essential. Several types of information may be gathered, including:

• Personal Information: Name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth, and driver's license details. This information is crucial for identifying you and ensuring all necessary documentation is in order.

• Payment Information: Credit/debit card details, billing address, and transaction history to process any fees related to our services.

• Website Usage Information: IP address, browser type, device information, and cookies to enhance user experience and improve the functionality of our online platform.

• Communication History: Emails, phone calls, and messages to track interactions between you, our instructors, and administration staff throughout the process.

Use of Information

When you provide us with your information, rest assured that we have specific purposes for the data we collect:

• Driving Lessons and Services: Tailoring our instruction to your individual needs and preferences for a personalized learning experience. For example, if you inform us that you have prior experience with parallel parking, we can focus more on advanced techniques rather than starting from the basics.

• Privacy and Security: We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. This includes all categories of data except for text messaging originator opt-in data and consent, which will never be shared with third parties. Your SMS consent and phone numbers are kept confidential and will not be shared under any circumstances.

Legal Requirements

In some instances, legal requirements may compel us to disclose information to authorities if mandated by law or to safeguard our rights. We strive to uphold the law while ensuring that your data is handled with the utmost care and in compliance with all legal obligations.

Data Security

Safeguarding your personal information is of utmost importance to us. We implement robust encryption measures, strict access controls, regular security audits, and continuous monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized access or breaches. By adhering to industry best practices and staying up to date with the latest security protocols, we prioritize the confidentiality and integrity of your personal information.

Your Rights

You have the right to access, update, or delete the personal information we hold about you. If you want to know what information we have, make changes to it, or even have it removed from our records, you can reach out to us—for example, updating your address or phone number via your student portal.

Marketing Communications

You have the right to opt out of receiving marketing communications from us. If you no longer wish to receive promotional emails or newsletters from Michigan Driving Schools, you can request removal from our marketing list.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about your personal information or how it is being used, please do not hesitate to contact us. Click here to send an email.

You can also text us at 810-300-9124.

Use of Cookies

As you navigate through our website, it's essential to understand how we use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device containing specific data. They help improve website functionality by remembering your preferences. Disabling cookies may impact how the website functions and limit your overall experience. Our website may feature links to third-party websites; we recommend reviewing their privacy policies before sharing personal information.

Policy Updates

Privacy policies may require updates from time to time. Companies must adapt their privacy practices as technology evolves and regulations change. We occasionally update our Privacy Policy to remain compliant and transparent. Reviewing this policy periodically keeps you informed about changes impacting your data privacy.

When we update our Privacy Policy, we will post these changes on our website with an updated effective date. This allows you to access the most recent version of the policy and understand any modifications made.

Recognizing that privacy policies protect the company and its users is essential. These policies establish trust and transparency by clearly outlining how personal data is collected, used, and shared. Reviewing and understanding these policies helps you make informed choices about sharing your information online.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, our priority is your success and satisfaction as you work towards obtaining your driver's license. We understand the importance of adequate preparation and want to work with you to achieve your goals. By being flexible and accommodating, we strive to create a positive and productive learning experience for every student. Remember, your journey to becoming a safe and skilled driver is a partnership, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Students wanting to participate in Michigan Driving Schools payment plan program must request a payment plan contract from their instructor at the start of their first classroom period. The signed and completed contract and the student's deposit of $200 must be given to the instructor at the beginning of the student's second classroom session.

Payment plan schedule: Weekly payments are due at the start of each class period in which the weekly payment is due. Students failing to adhere to the payment plan will have their enrollment terminated.

• If the student's enrollment is terminated, no refund will be given. This policy applies in various situations, including but not limited to failing outstanding fees, not scheduling behind-the-wheel lessons within the contract period, missing classes within the contract period, or not making up missed lessons/classes, and testing within the specified timeframe, facing expulsion, or simply changing your mind.

• Students must fully commit to driving times, canceling, and rescheduling, which will result in the student being pushed to the following course. Students without engagement after 90 days are dropped from the course and marked incomplete by the state of Michigan and dropped from the course.

• Michigan Driving Schools LLC will terminate the student's enrollment if the student is uncooperative or displays unsafe driving. Examples are ignoring instructions given by the driving instructor, being rude or aggressive towards the instructor, making no effort to become a safe driver, failing to adhere to traffic signals and signs, or causing an accident due to unsafe driving. The student will immediately receive a warning, and the parent or guardian will also be notified. If the student's enrollment is terminated, no refund will be given. This policy applies in various situations, including but not limited to failing outstanding fees, not scheduling behind-the-wheel lessons within the contract period, missing classes within the contract period, or not making up missed lessons/classes, and testing within the specified timeframe, facing expulsion, or simply changing your mind.

• Students must fully commit to driving times, canceling, and rescheduling, which will result in the student being pushed to the following course. Students without engagement after 90 days are dropped from the course and marked incomplete by the state of Michigan and dropped from the course.

A Segment 1 course consists of 24 hours of classroom instruction, six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and four hours of observation. Students are given an exam on their last day of segment one and must get 70% or better on the exam to finish the course

For students under 18, this is the first step taken to obtain their license. Students must also take a Segment 2 course and a road test to get their license.

For students 18 or older, Segments 1 and 2 are not required by the state. You can still take the courses to learn to drive, but you will not receive a certificate of completion for each course.

All students must go to the Secretary of State and obtain a permit (TIP) before beginning any behind-the-wheel driving lessons. The permit requires you to pass a written exam. If you are taking Segment 1 to prepare for the written exam to obtain your permit, you will only be allowed to complete the classroom portion of Segment 1 until you feel prepared enough to pass the exam and issue your TIP. By law, we cannot drive any student over 18 without this legal document.

The Zoom link will be emailed to you on day 1 of class for Segment 2 Courses. Segment 1 students will receive their Zoom link on Day 2. Every email sent can also be viewed from the student transcript section of your student portal.

Virtual Course Classroom Requirements

• Zoom Account Requirement: Students must have a Zoom account set up displaying their full legal name. Students without an account displaying their legal name will not be admitted into the Zoom session and will be marked absent. The make-up session policy will then apply. (Listed under what happens if I miss a classroom session) Makeup Policy for Classroom Instruction

• Camera and Microphone: Students must have their camera on, sitting close enough for the instructor to see all facial features clearly. A working microphone is also required. The Zoom account must display the student's full legal name, and the entire face must be visible at all times.

• Lighting and Attire: The room must be well-lit. Hats and hoods are not allowed.

• Attention and Conduct: Students must focus on the class at all times. Texting and non-class-related phone activities are prohibited. Students should not have a TV on or talk to others in the room or converse with other students in the virtual classroom. Students must sit in a chair at a table or desk and take notes with pen/pencil and paper. Being in a vehicle, on a bed, on the floor, or walking around is not permitted.

• Non-Compliance: Students who do not follow the classroom rules will be removed from the course without warning, and no refunds will be given.

All Zoom sessions are required in Michigan, and by enrolling in the virtual classroom, students and parents agree to these conditions.

Makeup Policy for Classroom Instruction

When a student misses a session, we must set a seat aside in the make-up session, leading to a revenue loss. Therefore, the following policies apply due to limited seating in all our courses:

Classroom Attendance: All classroom sessions are required. Make-up days will only be accepted for unforeseen circumstances. Students will be charged a $30 makeup day fee. The student is required to make up the same missed class. For example, if session 2 is missed, the student must attend session 2 of the next available class. The student is required to be present for all 6 hours of the classroom session.

Notification: If a student misses a course, they must notify Michigan Driving Schools via email, requesting to be scheduled for the missed course.

Day 1 Attendance: Students MUST attend Day 1 of Segments 1 and 2. Not being present will result in the student being dropped from the course and a $50 re-enrollment fee.

Test Day: Test day is mandatory. If the student misses the test day, they will be charged a fee of $45.

SEGMENT 1 STUDENTS need to provide verification of their age. This can be a birth certificate, shot record, state of Michigan ID, or any legal document that has the student’s full name and date of birth will be considered valid. These documents are used for age verification purposes and are not kept or stored.

SEGMENT 2 STUDENTS need to bring their Level 1 Learner's License and driving log or application they use to record their supervised driving hours. If the student is bringing their own handwritten log, please follow the state's format. View the state of Michigan Driving Log.

Instructors are state-certified. Instructors must pass a background check by providing the state of Michigan with their fingerprints. Upon their state license renewal, instructors must attend continuing education courses every two years.

If you are over 18, you must have a permit (Temporary Instruction Permit) to begin driving lessons. If you do not currently have one, please visit the Secretary of State before enrolling. Your permit must be current and not expired. If you register with an expired permit, you must pay a no-show fee of $45 before scheduling any future lessons.

Teens enrolling in private lessons must have a current Graduated Driver's License to begin driving lessons.

If your certificate gets lost or damaged, another can be issued by contacting our main office. There is a $30 fee for this service. Michigan Driving Schools can only reissue certificates for students who took courses at our locations. If you took it from another driving school, you would have to contact them for them to reissue your certificate. After payment is received, the certificate will be emailed to the addresses on file with the student's enrollment information, and the processing time will be 24 - 48 hours after payment is received.

Parent(s) are encouraged to attend the first day of class with their student. Please watch the student portal demo under our rules and resource page before the course date. The student demo will be used throughout the student's segment. The classroom session schedule, including dates, times, and locations, will be displayed in the student center. 

Segment 1 students will receive a paper contract and the What Every Driver Must Know booklet. The contract must be completed, signed, and returned the next day. Students who have not turned in this document cannot schedule any behind-the-wheel lessons. This booklet has essential and helpful information. Parents interested in learning more about the GDL process and requirements must read pages 2-9. We recommended keeping the booklet to refer back to while your teen progresses through the GDL process.

Segment 2 students will receive a paper contract on the first day of class. The contract must be filled out, signed by the parent and student, and returned to class. Students missing this document will not be able to take the final exam. Parents and students must read the Driving Skills Test Study Guide before their road exam. This booklet has valuable and essential information.  The booklet explains in depth everything about the road exam process and requirements. We are no longer able to hand these booklets out in class.

Parents needing additional information, email us at info@michigandrivingschools.com or text us anytime at (810)-300-9124.

Segment 2 is a three-day course, two hours each day for a total of six hours of classroom instruction.

To take Segment 2, you must have held your level one license (permit) for three months or longer and completed 30 hours of driving (two hours must have been done at night) in your driving log or on an app. You must bring your driving log and permit on the first day of class.

Students must be at least 14 years and 8 months of age and have their parent's or guardian's permission to start a segment one course.

No. The student must attend two full class sessions prior to all behind-the-wheel scheduling. Students who have not attended two full classroom sessions will not be allowed to schedule. Their scheduling options will not be permitted until they have been marked present for the first two sessions of the course. Segment 1 courses are intended for the classroom session and the behind-the-wheel lessons to coincide with each other. All Segment 1 courses are six weeks long in total. The classroom session will be finished within the first three weeks; the student will still have behind-the-wheel driving lessons to finish upon completion of the classroom session.

Each lesson is one hour long.

Adults enrolling in a package of more than one lesson can have two lessons done in a day if they would like to make the lesson 2 hours long. This will count for two of the lessons they have purchased.

You are not allowed any more than two hours of driving lessons per day.

Teens are not allowed to do more than one hour of driving lessons per day.

You can schedule your driving lessons by logging into our student account on our website. Please note: Students must attend the first two days of classroom sessions before these options appear in the student portal.

No. Our driving school training vehicles are licensed and insured. After completing a Segment 1 course, your parents should contact their vehicle insurance and have you added to their vehicle insurance.

No, all lessons are performed in our company vehicles that are state-licensed, insured, and have a dual brake installed.

The first lesson will be an evaluation lesson; this will let the instructor gain knowledge of the student's current abilities. Students needing practice for parking are encouraged to enroll in the parking package. Adult and teen private lessons will only be performed at the student's current skill levels. Students wanting advanced levels such as expressway driving must be able to perform the ability safely; the instructor's and student's safety will be taken seriously. Students enrolled in private lessons must master each ability to move on to more advanced driving lessons, such as freeways or multilane roads.

Segment 1 course consists of six total behind-the-wheel driving lessons. The lessons listed below are examples only. Depending on the student's abilities, the lessons will be altered to meet each student’s needs. Some students will be more advanced than others. Students must perform each lesson safely to proceed to the next set of skills. Instructors will fill out an evaluation after each behind-the-wheel lesson.

Drive 1: Developing Basic Driver Actions. Students are expected to demonstrate vehicle familiarization by identifying communication, comfort, safety, occupant protection, convenience, control devices, and pre-start procedures.

Drive 2: Residential Neighborhoods. Students are expected to demonstrate how to enter a travel lane from the roadside or a parking lane, identify and maintain a straight-line path of travel, move the vehicle forward (turning left and right), and approach and negotiate uncontrolled intersections.

Drive 3: Suburban Streets. Students are expected to demonstrate how to manage and adjust speed and position the vehicle in response to other road users, when passing drivers, when navigating railroad crossings, and when encountering controlled/uncontrolled intersections. Students must also demonstrate reversed, angled, parallel, and perpendicular parking.

Drive 4: Country and Rural Roads. Students are expected to understand that rural roads, hills, curves, vegetation, and crops can limit line of sight. Students must adjust speed and properly position the vehicle to reduce risk when entering and negotiating curves.

Drive 5: In-town and Downtown Driving. Students are expected to demonstrate lawful and appropriate speed control, determine and apply appropriate following intervals, navigate simple and complex controlled intersections, navigate shared left-turn lanes, and change lanes to the right and left.

Drive 6: Expressway and Freeway Driving. Students are expected to determine and apply appropriate following intervals, recognize and negotiate the main components of freeway travel, enter the dedicated acceleration lane, weave lanes, select lanes, change lanes, and exit the dedicated deceleration lane.

Yes, if your friend and you can have the same available for every lesson. Segment 1 courses must be completed within six weeks. The first 2-3 behind-the-wheel lessons must coincide with your classroom session. The outstanding lessons will be finished upon completing your classroom session no longer than three weeks from your last classroom session.

Yes, unless the student is an adult over 18, you will have a partner in the car with you for all six of your driving lessons.  The state requires observation and behind-the-wheel driving hours to pass your Segment 1 course. If you do not know anyone in the class, you will be randomly scheduled with someone for all six of your behind-the-wheel lessons.

This depends on the location. At some locations, there will be a few different driving instructors. Students are scheduled randomly with instructors.

No, all students must get to and from the location they have enrolled for. If we offered home pick-up, we would not be able to commit to a full 60-minute behind-the-wheel lesson. Instructors have students before and/or after your lesson. This type of service would not be possible without cutting the student's lesson short. For this reason and the safety of our staff and students, this is not something our company is willing to offer, unfortunately. If transportation is an issue, please reach out to us and see if we have other times available to fit your needs better.

Arriving more than five minutes late or not providing a 24-hour notice for cancellations will incur a $55 late fee, payable before scheduling your next lesson.

We value your instructor's time and kindly request that you adhere to your driving schedule.

For lessons scheduled on Monday, please cancel by the prior Friday, as our business office is closed on weekends.

You can cancel or reschedule lessons by logging into your student account on our website. Log into your account here.

In Michigan, you must be 14 years and 8 months old before the first day of class. You must attend two days of classroom sessions before you can begin any of your behind-the-wheel driving lessons per the state of Michigan.