Frequently Asked Questions

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 Spring 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. There is a $10 fee for Schedule2Drive which is billed to CMSC Driving School when you select the "Pay Later" option - you do not pay anything to Schedule2Drive because your tuition has already been paid by then, and we absorb the $10 fee.

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!

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 us an exhorbitant amount of money for them we were forced to eliminate this service. You can download the manual from the RMV Website here.

Why do some people pay more than others for driver's ed?
The major difference is for students who receive their permit after August 31, 2007: due to a new Massachusetts law you will need to drive twice as many hours (12 vs. 6) which greatly increases our cost of administering the course. Remember that your date of birth is irrelevant; only the date that you received your permit determines whether you need to drive 6 hours or 12 hours with us.

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 able to schedule road lessons?
Normally, students need to finish the classroom portion of the course first. If you are registered for a class and already have a permit, please register with Schedule2Drive so that we can activate your driving account in advance.

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 do I schedule observation time?
Please call us at 508-835-2333.

Why am I unable to sign up online for road lessons?
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) some other reason that we'll need to investigate.

Can I be dropped off at home instead of at the pickup location?
This is the typically instructor's decision 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.

Do I need to take my skids lesson before I take my road test?
The skids lesson is a unique part of the CMSC program which is not offered by any other school in the area, and is included in your Driver's Ed tuition! It is not required by the RMV to obtain a license, however, it is the policy of CMSC to administer the skids lesson before you take the road test simply because being able to control a skidding car will make you a safer driver!

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, driver's ed certificates are ordered from the RMV by mail, which may take up to 10 days. Please plan ahead!

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. Our fee for the optional Saturday road test is $85, which includes a car, warmup lesson, CMSC sponsor, and testing officer. There is also a $60 fee which must be paid to the RMV regardless of where you take the road test. The driver's ed certificate needs to be ordered in advance, which costs $15.

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!

(none of the above except (4) apply if you are already 18 years old).

           

What are the various steps to get a driver's license?
1) Register for Driver's Ed and take the 30-hour classroom.
2) Obtain learner's permit on 16th birthday at the RMV.
3) Make sure that your account with us is paid in full.
4) 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.
5) Schedule and complete the required driving sessions (6 hours if permit obtained before 09/01/07, 12 hours of driving otherwise) and observation (6 hours for all) sessions. If you need more observation time to meet requirements, this may now be scheduled online as well.
6) Schedule 1-hour skid school lesson (to be done before road test).
7) Drive at least 40 hours with parents and have at least one parent take the parent's class.
8) Order Driver's Ed Certificate through CMSC ($15).
9) Pay $60 road test scheduling fee to RMV. Optional road tests on Saturdays at CMSC are recommended, additional fee ($85) required. Ordering driver's ed certificate and scheduling CMSC road test can be done at the same time by calling 508-835-2333 ext25.
10) Relax, think positively, and pass the road test!