Dear Parents of Driver Education Students:

Congratulations on taking the steps necessary to help ensure the safety of your teenager. Students who attend a formal driver education program in Oregon are much less likely to be involved in a collision or traffic violation (NHTSA, 2005). Throughout the program, your teenager will be introduced to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for a lifetime of safe driving practices. This responsibility is shared with parents and guardians who serve as role models for the student driver. To help ensure the success of your teen, please review the following policies and guidelines.

ODOT Required Parent Student Night

In an effort to ensure the success of your son or daughter in this program, please plan to attend the required parent/student night. Expectations, objectives, and procedures will be reviewed. It is also a time to gain clarification regarding new laws and driving techniques. For dates and times please refer to the schedule on-line. If for some reason you are unable to attend the appropriate parent orientation, choose one that will better fit your schedule.

Classroom Attendance

Students must fulfill a minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction.  If a student attends less than the required 30 hours of classroom, you may attend a future class at a different location. 

Tardiness

Tardiness is arriving to class past the scheduled start time or failing to return from a break at the specified time. Excessive tardiness may result in course failure.Parent Student Handbook

Materials Needed For a Successful Course

Course Credit/Grading Policy

All assignments are due no later than the last day of class.

This ODOT certified course is a pass/fail course. Both the classroom phase and the Behind-the-Wheel phase must be completed successfully in order to receive a “Pass” grade. Grading is based on the following:

Pass/Fail Policies and Course Repeat Policies

Oregon Driver Education Center requires that all students enrolled in the ODOT approved driver education course receive an 80% in the classroom they will be given the opportunity to bring their grade up to a passing level by retaking the final and/or making up class work. 

Students who wish to re-take the course may do so by paying the full tuition amount.

Behind-The-Wheel (BTW)

Each student is required to complete 12 hours of in-car instruction; consisting of 6 behind-the-wheel hours and 6 observation hours.  Lessons are normally scheduled in one-week intervals to provide opportunity for habit development.  Behind-the-wheel lessons are conducted at or near the classroom location. Please consider your schedule carefully before committing to the BTW appointments.  You will be receiving an email after the 2nd day of class with instructions and access information to our online scheduling system.  Please consider your schedule carefully before committing to the BTW appointments.

In-Car Training Policies

If you cancel a Behind the Wheel (BTW) lesson with less than 72 hours notice you will be charged $55 to make up each lesson that was missed. If your student is a “No Show” for their BTW lesson you will be charged $110 to make up the missed lesson. A “No Show” is defined as any missed appointment scheduled by the student, parent, or guardian due to any of the following:

Curriculum & Text Books 

ODEC is utilizing the curriculum adopted & approved by ODOT for Driver Education courses.
Students will be issued two supplemental books: “Your Car is a Monster: 10 Habits Will Keep It Caged!” and “Partnership for Driver Excellence” 7th Ed., both by Frederick R. Mottola. The books are ODEC property and must be returned at end of classroom session. Classroom & in-car lesson plans utilize the principles of low risk driver behavior outlined in these texts.  Students are expected to complete assigned reading in advance of their class.  These also serve as useful guides for parents/supervising adult.

 

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