Obtaining your driving license can be a joyous rite of passage for most teens. We believe driving is a privilege that is to be taken seriously and our goal is to train all our students to be safe, responsible and to respect the independence driving provides.
Verify with the attendance clerk at their school that they can get a VOE before you sign them up for class. Students MUST be at least 15 to take the class.
After six hours of class, students take their required DPS written test with us. After that, they can go get their permit and begin scheduling their driving lessons!
We do require the parent to come in with the student and permit to schedule the first lesson. After that, students or parents can chose the day/time for their in-vehicle lessons from our weekly driving list by coming in or calling. We generally drive seven days a week: after school, weekends, and some holidays. During the summer we drive throughout the day 7 days a week. Our schedule is usually two weeks out for sign ups. We do not prioritize any students over others.
Students can take the full course or only the driving portion if they transfer it to GCDA. Our classroom has an actual instructor to facilitate student learning, not computers!
We take credit/debit online and cash in the office. There is a $50 non-refundable fee if you request a refund after the 3rd business day of receipt of payment.
GCDA is an approved DPS Third Party Skills Tester so we can offer the road skills test for the actual license but it is an additional fee. You can also our vehicle if you test with us but, since we assume the insurance liability, it is an extra fee.
Upon completion of the course, students are given all certificates and information regarding what they will need to get their license when eligible. These documents need to be put in a safe place as it is currently $40 cash to re-issue a DE964 certificate.
Want to drive?
Without taking some form of driver education, you can’t get a license until you’re 25.
Here’s what it takes to get your license if you are UNDER 18.
STEP ONE
Driver's Education
Your Teen Driving course needs to be completed within 3 months.
If it takes longer, you’ll need to sign a variance and pay an additional fee.
- Depending on the time of year, the classroom portion may be held different days of the week so check to see whether it is a 2 week class or 3 week class.
- Students are given 90 days to complete the driving portion required for the course. Depending on their motivation and skills, they may complete the driving much sooner.
- You may pay two installments with cash. Driving can be scheduled after paying in full and when students have their permit.
- You must get a receipt for any cash transactions.
STEP TWO
Get a Learner's Permit
Students must be at least 15 and a parent/guardian must take them to DPS.
Do not go until you have all the documentation below:
- Certified or original birth certificate (no hospital, Xerox, or laminated copies)
- Social Security Card (not just the number)
- VOE (Verification of Enrollment) from current public/private school. If they failed or are having to make up hours they possibly may not be eligible to receive one and VOE’s are only good for 30 days (except for the summer.) DPS requires this to issue a permit!!! If you’re not certain your child is eligible, check with their school before enrolling them.
- Present or past photo ID (can use old school ID)*some DPS require, others don’t
- $16.00 (or current cost)
- DE964 (furnished by GCDA)
- DL14B (form provided by GCDA)
- TX Proof of Residency (form provided by GCDA)—parent/guardian must bring two proofs of residency with their physical address (no P.O. Box) dated between 30-90 days. It must have the same name and address on both.
After passing the vision test at DPS, students will have their thumbprint and photo taken. A paper permit will be issued with an expiration date on it but the permanent copy should come in the mail before it expires. The permanent copy will expire on the student’s 18th birthday.
STEP THREE
Last Steps
- To get their license, a student has to have finished drivers education, have held their permit a MINIMUM of six (6) months AND must be at least 16 (unless they are turning 18 before the six months is up).
- Once eligible to get their license, contact us if you wish to test with us.
- The road skills test fee is NOT included in the course fee.
- Students must furnish the vehicle to take the driving skills exam in and they will have to show proof of current insurance on that vehicle. If testing with us, they may use our vehicle and our insurance for an additional fee since we assume liability.
- Anyone can test with us as long as they have the required documents and permit.
Work hard to learn in the classroom and in your practice driving and you’ll do great on the driving test!
Congratulations, New Driver!
