Frequently Asked Questions Categories

Open Road Driver Services General Information
Driver’s Training/Driver’s Education & Behind The Wheel
DUI/Risk Reduction
Defensive Driving

Open Road Driver Services General Information

What services are available at your facility?
Currently, we are offering courses for Driver’s Education (classroom and online), Behind-the-Wheel Driver Training, DUI/Risk Reduction, and Defensive Driving. We also offer individual and group counseling services for adults and adolescents at our facility.

When are courses offered and how do I register?
A current course schedule is available on our homepage under “Courses”. Individuals can register online or by calling the office at 770-725-2511.

What should I bring with me to class?
All course materials will be provided. You may bring lunch or a snack, but lunch options will be provided for day-long classes.

What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash, checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard and Discover are all acceptable forms of payment. 

What are your registration and cancellation policies?
Class sizes are small and registration is limited, so please register early by going online or calling 770.725.2511. Please be advised that space will not be reserved until course fees are paid in full. We accept cash,  checks, money orders, MasterCard, Visa and Discover.

CANCELLATIONS:  We will make every effort to cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment one week prior to the class start date, but it may be as late as 48 hours beforehand. If we cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment, you will be entitled to a full refund if we are not able to find another convenient class date. If for some reason the student must cancel, refunds will be granted up to one week prior to the start of the class. All refunds will be processed minus a $35 cancellation fee. No refunds can be made once the class has begun.

Driver’s Training/Driver’s Education & Behind The Wheel

What is Joshua’s Law?
Senate Bill 226 also known as “Joshua’s Law” was passed during the 2005 General Assembly. Beginning January 1, 2007, all 16-year-olds applying for a Class D driver’s license must complete an approved driver education course AND complete a total of 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 hours of which must be at night, with a parent or guardian’s sworn verification that these driving requirements have been met.

Any Georgia student who has not completed an approved driver education course must wait until age 17 to be eligible for a Class D driver’s license. He or she must still complete a total of at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including at least 6 hours at night. The same verification in writing by a parent or guardian is required.

Where can I get additional information about GA teen drivers?
More information about GA teen drivers can be found at:
http://www.dds.ga.gov/teens/index.aspx
http://www.dds.ga.gov/Training/TrainData.aspx?con=1742652848&ty=tra

What courses can I take to satisfy Joshua’s Law?
http://www.dds.ga.gov/docs/teen/JoshuaCourseChart.pdf

What is the cost of the Driver Training course?
The 30/6 driver training course costs $495. Additional behind the wheel training is $65 per hour.

Do you offer any informational sessions for Parents about teaching a teenager to drive?
A one hour parent orientation is incorporated into each Driver’s Education course. Parents are asked to attend and participate in this informational session.

Can I receive an insurance discount for my teen taking this course?
Yes, only a 30 hour classroom and 6 hours behind wheel course, taken at a DDS approved driver education school, meets the requirements for an insurance discount. Online programs, the Parent/Teen Driving Guide or courses consisting of less than 30 and 6 do not qualify individuals under 25 for insurance discounts. Check with your insurance company for a complete list of requirements.

Can I receive a tax credit for my teen taking this course?
Yes, parents or guardians are eligible for a tax credit in an amount up to a $150.00 if their dependent minor child successfully completes a course through a private driver education school that is licensed with the DDS. A copy of the Certificate of Completion and proof of the fees paid for the course will be required to qualify for the credit. The amount of the credit is equal to $150.00 or the actual amount paid, whichever is less. Courses taken at private or public high schools do not qualify for this credit. Check with the Department of Revenue for more information.

Do the same rules apply if my child is seventeen years old?
No, but he or she must have 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 of which must be at night.

What if my child just moved to the state of Georgia?
Any 16-year-old must take an approved Driver’s Education Course in order to be issued a license in Georgia. If your child has taken a course out of state, please contact the Department of Driver Services.

What do I do about lunch during day long classes?
We understand that it may be difficult to leave the premises for designated lunch breaks. Therefore, Open Road Services will provide a lunch option for students during the day long classes. Snacks will also be provided during the three hour classes during the week. Students are always welcome to bring their own lunch and/or snacks.  We have a refrigerator and freezer available for students’ use.

Do you perform any actual driving during the 30-hour course?
Behind the wheel instruction is scheduled with each individual student. Specific details will be covered during the parent orientation.

Can my teen miss one day of Driver’s Ed?
Every teen must complete ALL 30 hours of Driver’s Ed, but they are allowed to make up missed sessions. Courses are taught sequentially and make up classes must correspond to specific modules missed. Students must make up the specific missed session within 60 days of the first day of class.

I have a group of students who want to take driver’s education together, can I get a discount?
Yes, please contact Open Road Services by phone (770-725-2511) or email (info@georgiaopenroad.com)

Can my teen take the 30 hour classroom portion through an online course?
Yes, students may take an online course to complete the 30 hour of classroom instruction. We have a link to www.driversed.com on our homepage. Please note: Online courses do not qualify for the tax credit or insurance discount.

When do we schedule behind-the-wheel training?
Scheduling Behind the Wheel training is specifically discussed at the Parent Orientation session at the beginning of the course.  However, you must complete all six hours of behind the wheel instruction within 6 months of your class start date.

DUI/Risk Reduction Course

Who is required to take this course?
This course is mandated by law for people convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), possession of illegal drugs, underage possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle, or Boating Under the Influence (BUI).

Can I take this course online?
No, the Department of Driver Services requires that this course be taken by classroom instruction at a certified school for the DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program.

How much does the class cost?
The course is composed of two components. Schools must charge $82.00 for the Assessment Component, $190.00 for the Intervention Component and an additional $20.00 Materials Fee. The total cost of the course is $292.00.

How long is the course?
The Assessment Component takes most individuals 1/2-hour to one-hour to complete. The Intervention Component/Course is 20-hours long.

Do I need to pay in advance for the class?
The DUI / Risk Reduction Course must be paid in full by the time you take the Needs Assessment.

What is the Needs Assessment?
The Needs Assessment is a 130 question survey that must be completed at least 30 minutes in advance of the first class; however, it is recommended that you come to the school at least one week prior to class to complete the assessment.

How long will it take to complete the Needs Assessment?
On average, the Needs Assessment takes about 30 – 45 minutes to complete.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule my enrollment in this course?
Once a payment is received, we will allow you to move into another class; however, due to the 5 student minimum, we ask that you let us know as far in advance as possible. No refunds will be given, but you may reschedule your course one time.

What if the class is canceled due to low enrollment?
The state mandates a 5 student minimum to run a Risk Reduction/DUI course. If a class has to be canceled due to low enrollment, we will work with you to either reschedule into another class or transfer your NEEDS assessment results to another facility. No refunds will be given once monies are collected.

What do I do about lunch during day long classes?
We understand that it may be difficult to leave the premises for designated lunch breaks. Therefore, Open Road Services will provide a lunch option for students during the day long classes. Snacks will also be provided during the three hour classes during the week. Students are always welcome to bring their own lunch and/or snacks.  We have a refrigerator and freezer available for students’ use.

When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates are issued at the end of the 20 hour course. You will leave the course with your “Certificate of Completion”.

What if I lose my “Certificate of Completion”?
You can contact our facility and request a replacement “Certificate of Completion”.  A $5.00 fee will be charged for a replacement certificate.

I was 5 minutes late and the instructor would not allow me to attend the class. Can they do that?
Yes. Schools are required to deny entrance to any student that is not on time for the beginning of each class or late returning from breaks.

Defensive Driving Course

What is a Defensive Driving Course?
A course designed to teach drivers about safe driving attitudes and behaviors.

How long is the course?
This is a 6-hour course certified by the Georgia Department of Driver Services and is often required by Georgia courts.

How much does the course cost?
The 6-hour defensive driving course costs $75.00.

What do I do about lunch during day long classes?
We understand that it may be difficult to leave the premises for designated lunch breaks. Therefore, Open Road Services will provide a lunch option for students during the day long classes. Snacks will also be provided during the three hour classes during the week. Students are always welcome to bring their own lunch and/or snacks.  We have a refrigerator and freezer available for students’ use.

Can I take this course online?
No, the Department of Driver Services requires that this course be taken by classroom instruction at a certified facility for Defensive Driving.

How often may I take this course for driver’s license point reduction?
This course can be taken once every 5 years.

How do I qualify for a reduction in my insurance premiums?
Simply verify with your insurance company that you are eligible for the reduction.

Will my teenager qualify for a reduction in insurance premiums?
Check with your insurance agent for requirements.

By taking this course, may I receive credit for an insurance premium reduction, driver’s license point reduction and other similar benefits?
No, you may only use your “Certificate of Completion” for this course towards ONE of the benefits above.

I was 5 minutes late and the instructor would not allow me to attend the class. Can they do that?
Yes. Schools are required to deny entrance to any student that is not on time or late returning from breaks.

Can I get a refund from the school if I’m unable to attend the class or if I was denied entrance because I was late?
We do not allow refunds however, we will work with you to reschedule your course.

What curriculum do you use for the course?
Open Road Services uses the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Curriculum. We are the only private school in the Athens area teaching the nationally recognized curriculum. For more information visit NSC.org.

What are some of the reasons I might take a defensive driving course?
Some reasons individuals may take a defensive driving course include court mandate, driver’s license reinstatement, insurance discounts, points reduction, possible ticket dismissal, under 21 suspension, or under 18 suspension.