CMSC Driving School - Drivers Ed Course and License FAQ

How do I register my son/daughter for driver's ed?
Call us at 508-835-2333 or click the Driver's Ed Registration link. The Course Schedule is also available online. Please note that there are two types of registration required. The initial registration with the Central Mass Safety Council office, to get started before classroom begins, is when you pay the tuition bill. The second registration is with Schedule2Drive.com, a third party road lesson scheduling system. This registration is done only after the classroom portion of the program is finished AND all tuition has been paid in full.

Can I get my learner's permit through CMSC?
Sorry, you'll need to go to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to obtain a permit. No appointment is necessary; just make sure to arrive BEFORE 4:00 PM! (also make sure to bring your birth certificate and Social Security card)

Do you have the RMV driver manuals to study for the permit test?
We gave the driver manuals out in the past, but when the RMV began charging for them we were forced to eliminate this service. You can download the manual from the RMV Website here.

I missed a classroom session, what should I do?
You will need to make up the lost time during the appropriate class session of the next available course. Please consult the Online Schedule or call us to find out when this will be possible.

When will I be allowed to schedule road lessons?
Students need to finish the classroom portion of the course, and one parent must take the parent's class first. A word to the wise: students who try to circumvent this policy may suddenly find that their account has been deactivated!

How do I schedule road lessons?
Once you have finished the classroom portion of the course AND your account is paid in full, see instructions on our Schedule2Drive Instructions page. Please read these instruction carefully before beginning.

How do I cancel road lessons?
The same way they were scheduled: use the schedule2drive system and select the appropriate options.

How long will it take to complete all 12 road lessons?
Begin your classroom session when you are between 15 years, 9 months and 16 years, 0 months old. Obtain your permit on your 16th birthday, one parent completes parent class, then spread out your road lessons over the next 4-5 months.

To give everyone a chance to find availability and to encourage practicing at home in-between lessons with us, the Schedule2Drive system may be set to require a waiting period between lessons, especially during periods of peak demand.

Why don't I see any lessons for next month?
We need to receive a firm availability commitment from each of our ~50 instructors, which is due by the 24th. Scheduling is impossible until this commitment is received. We definitely don't want to schedule instructors blindly, and then later on be forced to cancel lessons because they have other commitments (family, doctor appointments, other jobs, etc). Please be patient.

How do I schedule observation time?
In the very unlikely event that you need to make up observation time, please call us at 508-835-2333. Most students will receive more than enough observation time while compleing the 12 hours of driving. Please DO NOT schedule "observation-only" lessons unless you have already driven 12 hours and have less than 6 hours of observation!

Why am I unable to sign up online for road lessons?
Did you already register as a new student? If so, make sure that you click "MA" from the drop-down state menu and enter your date of birth in mm-dd-yyyy format. If it still doesn't work, it's probably because either a) you are not activated yet or b) you've been deactivated for some reason or c) some other reason that we'll need to investigate.

Can I be dropped off at home instead of at the pickup location?
This is a decision made by the instructor on the day of the lesson, and cannot be promised in advance. It is therefore best to plan on getting a ride home from the pickup location after the lesson is over.

I already have 6 hours of observation. Can I drive the first hour and end my lesson early?
This is a decision made by the instructor on the day of the lesson, and cannot be promised in advance. If the instructor agrees to do so, we prioritize by which student has completed more lessons. Therefore, even if you have already completed 8 or 9 hours of driving, you might lose out to a student who has 10 or 11 hours already done.

I've finished my classroom & driving sessions. Where is my driver's ed certificate?
Once you have completed all of your lesson requirements in full, please call CMSC to order your Driver’s Education Completion Certificate. The Driver’s Education Certificate fee of $15 can be paid over the phone with a MasterCard or Visa. Certificates are issued by the RMV and it may them up to 14 days to process the certificate. It will then be posted on the RMV system and can be viewed from their website (they no longer mails out hard copies).

How do I schedule a road test, and what will it cost?
To schedule an optional road test with us, please call us at 508-835-2333 ext25 at least two and a half weeks in advance. Our fee for the optional Saturday road test is $85 ($175 for non-students), which includes a car, CMSC sponsor, and testing officer. The driver's ed certificate needs to be ordered three weeks in advance of the road test, which costs $15 (for a total of $100). There is also an additional $70 fee which must be paid to the RMV regardless of where you take the road test. If you fail the road test on the first try, you will need to pay an additional $40 total for each subsequent attempt.

When can I get my license?
You will need to fulfill the following four criteria:
1) Have a permit for six months - get your permit on your 16th birthday!!!
2) Have fully completed Driver's Ed.
3) Be at least 16 1/2 years old.
4) Pass your road test!

What are the correct steps toward obtaining a driver's license?
1) Register for Driver's Ed and take the 30-hour classroom shortly before turning 16 (must be at least 15 years, 9 months old).
2) Obtain learner's permit on 16th birthday at the RMV.
3) At least one parent takes the parent class.
4) Make sure that your account with us is paid in full.
5) Register with Schedule2Drive ONE TIME ONLY as a new student. For futher instructions on registering for road lessons, click on our Schedule2Drive Registration Instructions page.
6) Over the next 6 months: schedule and complete the required 12 hours of driving and drive 40 hours with family.
Every CMSC Driving School lesson is scheduled to be 1 hour of driving and 1 hour of observation. If the second student is a no-show, you will be given the option to drive 2 hours that day. In the very rare event that you have finished all 12 hours of driving and still need more observation time, give us a call to schedule "OBSERVATION ONLY" time.
7) Order Driver's Ed Certificate through CMSC ($15).
8) Pay $70 road test scheduling fee to RMV. Optional road tests on Saturdays at CMSC are recommended, additional fee ($85) required. Ordering driver's ed certificate, scheduling skid school lesson and scheduling CMSC road test can be done at the same time by calling 508-835-2333 ext25. You must be completely finished with ALL road lessons before scheduling the road test and/or ordering the Driver's Ed certificate.
9) Relax, think positively, and pass the road test!

When do I receive a valid license to drive?
If you pre-paid the $70 RMV road test appointment fee, (pay this at any RMV branch or by calling (617) 351-4500), you have a valid license as soon as you pass the road test and the officer stamps your permit. If you do not pre-pay the fee, you will have merely a stamped permit and cannot legally drive alone! DON'T FORGET: valid insurance is also necessary! Although we may be able to answer general questions, you should always consult your own certified insurance agent. Your new license information should be available on the Registry system (which is usually needed to obtain insurance) within 7 to 10 days. Your new plastic license should arrive within 2 weeks. CMSC is not responsible for mistakes or delays at the RMV in regards to processing your license.

Where can I get more information on JOL restrictions and penalties for infractions?
NOTE: links below will bring you to outside pages which are listed for informational purposes only. CMSC is not responsible for any content or opinions expressed therein.

Frequently Asked Questions