FAQ’s

1. Are you licensed by the state of California? Yes, We are licensed by the State of California through the DMV.

2. Are you insured per the State of California requirements? Yes, and our insurance exceeds DMV Requirements for driving instruction.

3. Is your car modified per DMV standards? Yes, cars are modified per DMV regulations and perform annual inspections.

4. Do you work with Neurodiversity and Learning Disabilities? Yes, and our services are approved by EVOLIBRI.

5.Can I use the schools car for the drive test? Yes, if you demonstrate the ability to drive safely we will allow you to test in our car. See fees in the Rates page.

6. Do you pick up and drop off at my home, work or school? Yes

7. Do I have to come with my child (under 18) on any lessons? Yes. Why? As a parent of a minor, you are required to come on the first and third lesson of a three lesson (6 hour) behind the wheel course (This is a requirement of The Professional Driving School and NOT a DMV requirement). This is for many reasons, all of which are to you and your child’s advantage. See the Parent-Teen training Guide on the DMV Quick Links page or Behind the Wheel Drivers Training page for more info. We will accommodate special situations on a case by case basis.

8. Do you share the car? NO, The Professional Driving School does not believe in sharing cars with other students or “piggybacking” students. Not familiar with piggybacking, see below.

9. Will you teach me the DMV test route before the test? NO, Absolutely Not. Would you cheat on a pilots test? The drive test is your opportunity to see if you are ready to drive. Your “real” test is the first time you drive alone and no one is there to point out something you may have missed. The first time you drive alone is not the time to learn that you are ready to be driving

Terms Defined:

What is “piggybacking? Piggybacking is a process that involves the first student in a driving lesson picking up the second student, the second student then has to drop off the first student and pick up the third student and so on…

a.Why do some schools use this method? Piggybacking is a way that some schools make lessons more profitable by eliminating dead time between lessons

This is a common scenario with piggybacking.

Assuming:

Student 1 lives in Cupertino (3rd Lesson)

Student 2 lives in Atherton (1st lesson)

Student 3 Lives in Palo Alto (1st Lesson)

Student 4 Lives in Menlo Park (2nd lesson)

Student 1 gets picked up in Cupertino and during his/her lesson works his way up to Atherton to pick up student 2. Student 2 is a first time driver with no experience behind the wheel. Almost immediately student 2 has to be put on the freeway in order to make it down to Cupertino and then back up to Palo Alto in time to pick up student 3.

Here are the reasons why The Professional Driving School Does Not piggyback students. All students refer to example above.

1.Putting a new driver on the freeway before they are ready is dangerous and puts the student driver, the instructor, and your son or daughter in the back seat at unnecessary risk.

2.Even on short commutes, if the instructor takes all the time necessary to teach Student 3 all the necessary requirements before driving Student 2 safety home, your son or daughter is forced in to sit in the back seat of the car for maybe an hour while the other student learns the basic skills.

3.This method also does not allow for structured driving lessons. Regardless of the lesson plan or good intentions the school might have, the lesson is strongly dictated by location of the previous student and the following student.

1.4.Instructors need breaks. An instructor who has been teaching for 5 hours nonstop will not be as effective as an instructor that has a chance to rest. Instructors working at schools that piggyback will usually stop and take their 10-15 break or lunch during your lesson, on your time.