Licensed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
School License #3996
Notice: This web-site, dated May 22, 2009, replaces and supersedes
all previously dated and all undated web sites covering this material.
I hired a company to produce a web site for me. If I paid for the domain name, they agreed to
maintain the web site for free. They created the web page but never maintaining it and will not delete it.
They are located in California and are unresponsive to my many requests to either update or delete the
web site. In addition, several old pdf files have shown up on the Internet that I did not post. As you know,
once something appears on the Internet it is, often, a long time before it disappears, if ever. This is the
official site for the Joda Collins Driving Academy. This is the only Academy site that I
created and can keep current.
For Internet Training (Courses) scroll to the top of this page and click on "Course Information". Taking a course online,
you can remove points from your driving record,
secure a driver's permit and take training that
will reduce your insurance charges (depending
on the specifics of your insurance company).
TO LEARN ABOUT OR ENROLL IN AN INTERNET COURSE, SCROLL TO THE TOP AND CLICK ON Joda Collins "COURSE INFORMATION".
Owner/Operator
General Information
1. Our Goals
2. Our Web site
3. What is Defensive Driving?
4. Definition of “A Behind the Wheel Driving Lesson"
5. Brief Break
6. Is a Learner’s Permit Required?
7. Do We Provide a Vehicle?
8. Can a Student Use His/Her Vehicle for Training
9. Classroom
10. Service Radius
12. Can Parents Ride Along?
13. Driving is a Calm Experience
14. Using our Vehicle for the State Driving Test
15. How long will the training take and how much does it cost?
16. Classroom and Internet Training
17. Will my insurance be less if I graduate your defensive driving course?
18. Purpose of State Driver's Test.
General Information
Reviewing the colored print provides a good overview of this material.
Welcome to the Joda Collins Driving Academy
Contact us for behind the wheel,
private classroom tutoring and Internet training.
Serving all of
The first section of this page deals with behind the wheel training. To learn about classroom and Internet training go to our “Course Introduction” page.
Telephone and Fax: 850 981-3355
Email: JodaCollins@aol.com
We are licensed by the
MY GOALS
I have two goals:
1 That every student I train drives crash and citation free for a long lifetime.
2. That every student and every parent would be 100% happy with my services.
Anything I can do, within reason, to foster both of these goals, I will do. Just ask.
However, what I cannot do:
I cannot tell a student, spouse or parent anything but the truth about the driver's progress behind the wheel.
I cannot reduce my charges because my charges are based on my costs, and my costs are not going down.
I cannot force a student to learn.
I cannot awared a graduation from my Defensive Driving program to drivers that do not earn the graduation. Some feel that driving for nine hours behind the wheel of my vehicle and paying for the training should qualify them for graduation. Not so. The State of Florida requires that students show a reasonable degree of safe driving as well as a reasonable degree of incorporating the 23 defensive driving skills into their driving habit before a graduation from the Defensive Driving Course is earned.
1. We train new drivers for their
2. We teach 23 defensive driving techniques that help people drive crash-free and citation-free for life.
3. We train experienced and new drivers to be safer by teaching defensive driving skills.
5. We teach people from other countries and those whose first language is not English to drive.
6. We provide validation of graduation for insurance companies that offer discounts for drivers that successfully complete a behind the wheel defensive driving course.
7. Through our Internet affiliate, we provide validation of graduation for insurance companies that offer discounts for drivers that successfully complete an Internet defensive driving course.
8. We work through the Court system to satisfy court-ordered remedial behind the wheel driver’s training.
9. We provided "evaluations" to determine if a driver is "safe behind the wheel".
10. We train those that desire specialized one to one training in order to pass the Florida State Driver's Permit test.
Regarding teen drivers: This year, almost 60% of 16-18 year-old drivers will be in a police-reported collision Teens are 400% more likely to die in a car crash than 25-34 year-old drivers 16 – 18 year old annual crash rates are up 6% between 2000 and 2003 The chance of one crash in the first three years of driving is 89.2% The chance of two crashes in the first three years of driving is 52.5% The chance of three crashes in the first three years of driving is 13.3% The teen licensed driver population will grow by 15% between 2000 and 2010 to over 10 million Facts, above, are from the National Safety Council, Injury Facts, 2004 edition as reported on http://www.adeptdriver.com/teens_statistics.php
Teens have the highest car crash rate of any age group
Scroll Down
Scroll Down
Scroll Down
Scroll Down
Scroll Down another inch or so.
SUBSTITUTING "CAREFULNESS" FOR "SKILL"
People often tell me that they "do not need" behind the wheel training because they are going to be "very careful when driving". Let me illistrate the lack of wisdom in that statement by the following: A sky-diver does not know how to pack his parachute very well. Still, he sky dives. Time after time he jumps from the plane with his parachute poorly packed. However, time after time the parachute opens successfully and he lands unharmed. When questioned about his lack of ability to pack a parachute well and his consistently poorly packed chute, he responds, "I don't need to pack my parachute better because when I sky-dive I am very careful". It is only a matter of time before the poorly packed parachute fails this sky-diver. It is only a matter of time before a poorly trained driver crashes. Being consistently careful will not consistently overcome bad driving habits. The cost of ONE crash will far outweigh the cost of learning to drive crash free. Failing to train is the same thing as training to fail.
Look what can happen in a split second of bad driving:
At the top of each of these downloads, use the back arrow to return to this page. If you view any additional downloads from the downloads below just continue to use the back arrow until you return to this page.
Sites 1 through 3
Introduction: The cost of one crash, no matter how small, will likely cost many times more than it costs to learn the defensive driving skills to avoid crashes. In addition, the unskilled driver, often, does not learn from his or her driving mistake and continues to make the same driving mistake after a crash. Or, if the driver does learn, he or she, typically, learns only the defensive driving skill that will help him avoid the one crash he/she endured or created and continues to be a danger to self and others being aware of only one of 23 defensive driving skills! Look at these vehicles and ask yourself how much the driver would have paid to avoid the crash and remember, most crashes are avoidable by driving defensively!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2296035/car_crashes_and_facts_about_them/
INTERSECTIONS: For every 500 crashes, 499 are somehow related to an intersection. That makes driving towards, into, through and away from an intersection 500 times more dangerous than driving anywhere esle. Learning defensive driving skill will help you avoid the following:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2382492/car_crash_compilation/
Most of the crashes in the following video are the result of FTC - "following too close" (tailgating). The State of Florida recommends following at a distance of two seconds; however, even that is too close. Following at a two-second distance assumes the driver behind is focusing only on the rear end of the car ahead and paying no attention to the remainder of the driving environment. Sadly, many drivers do drive with their eyes glued to the tail lights of the vehicle ahead and incur crashes because they are unaware of other driving dangers. We teach a seven second following distance. Once you are in the vehicle and under our training you will see how much better that following distance serves you in a variety of circumstances. To start with, about 44% of all crashes are the result of following too closely. So, you can reduce your changes of a crash by almost 44% if you simply learn to follow at a seven second distance and learn how to create that kind of space between you and the vehicle behind.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/652456/luxury_car_crashes/
Sites 4 through 6
One defensive driving technique is called "The 23-mph Precision Stop or Slow". This defensive driving technique slows down vehicle behind in traffic in order to avoid being rear ended. This is one of the more difficult defensive driving skills to master. Typically, it takes about one to 1.5 hours to learn this skill. However, any one of the drivers in this crash that applied The 23-mph Precision Stop/Slow would have created a driving environment where this crash would have been avoided.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt--NKYzqOhbfQ/car_crash_compilation/
THESE ARE LINKS TO WEB SITES THAT THE JODA COLLINS DRIVING ACADEMY HAS NO CONTROL OVER. AT THE TIME OF SELECTION, ADVERTISING WAS NOT OFFENSIVE, BUT THINGS CHANGE. IF YOU NOTICE ANYTHING OF AN INAPPROPRIATE OR OFFENSIVE NATURE ON ANY OF THESE WEB SITES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LET ME (JODA COLLINS) KNOW; I WILL REMOVE THE SITE FROM THIS LISTING. THANK YOU.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/700938/car_crash_compilation_ups/
One defensive driving technique is called "Diamond Space". Diamond space means that we do all we can to keep adequate space between us and the vehicle ahead, us and the vehicle behind, and NEVER travel casually along side of another vehicle going in the same directions as you. Take the immediate step of accelerating or decelerating slightly to insure no vehicle travels immediately beside you for more than a few feet. On average, it takes about 25 minutes to teach a defensive driving skill and a financial investment of about $23.00. Do you think the driver of the SUV regrets not spending the $23 to learn about Diamond Space?
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/625050/accident_car/
Sites 7 through 10
If any of the drivers involved in this crash was trained in the defensive driving technique called, "The 23-mph Precision Stop" this crash would not have happened. However, this is one of the more difficult defensive driving techniques to master. It takes about 1 hour to 1.5 hours of practice to gain the basic skill required to successfully apply this crash avoidance technique. You can be very sure that every driver in this crash wish they had learned "The 23-mph Precision Stop".
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/197902/truck_crash/
This driver did several things wrong. First, it does not appear he/she was trained in night driving. Second, he/she exihibited "aggressive driving", which is contrary to defensive driving strategies. Third, the driver is not aware of the space his/her vehicle takes in the driving environment. There was enough space ahead for the driver to move far enough up to avoid being hit by the train. Lots of errors combined to cause this near death experience. Every one of these issues are covered in the Joda Collins Driving Academy Defensive Driving Course.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1725993/car_vs_train_by_crazy_driver/
Most of these crashes appear to be the result of driving too fast for conditions. At the Joda Collins Driving Academy, student-drivers learn how to determine the correct speed for conditions. It is a mistake to think that the posted speed limit is, at all times, a safe speed. Not knowing how to determine the correct speed for conditions can cause great damage and death, like is seen in these pictures.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1590927/the_worst_car_crashes_ever_seen/
Sites 11 through 13
Defensive driving assumes the other driver will NOT keep the rules of the road and defensive drivers adjust their driving speed accordingly. Had the motorcycle rider been a defensive driver, he would have been traveling much slower into the intersection. One defensive driving course would have saved his life. In addition, defensive drivers are taught that intersections are 500 times more dangerous than any other driving location. One of the most important and stressed aspects of defensive driving is learning how to evaluate intersection traffic/conditons well in advance and avoid crashes like this.
http://www.
"Sitting Duck" is a term used in defensive driving to speak of the danger of being in a stationary vehicle on the road. Three very simple techniques are applied for the "Sitting Duck" situation. Had this driver applied two of the three techniques none of the four dead people would be dead today. Every one of them would be alive and bragging on the drivers skill in keeping them from a deadly crash. It may be that the driver simply felt learning to be a defensive driver wasn't work the financial investment. He was wrong. Everyone that says that, is wrong.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1038404/car_crash_fatality/
At the Joda Collins Driving Academy, we teach students to be aware of traffic conditions for two miles ahead when driving at freeway/interstate speeds. Notice in this video, driver are traveling at 70 plus mph and only aware of driving conditions for about one to two blocks ahead of them. Every one of the people involved in this ongoing crash screen is violating a defensive driving technique. These are crashes that should never have happened and do not happen to defensive drivers that practice what they learned.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3699189/multi_car_crash/
Sites 14 through 16
Defensive drivers know it is possible to look left and right and that the human eye blind spot is so large that it can make a bus impossible to see! In addition, the defensive driver learns and develops "looking skills" that overcome the limitations of the human eye blind spot. Had the driver of the car been a trained defensive driver, this crash would not have happened. In addition, the bus driver was not aware that the lane to his left was clear and that all he had to do was change lanes to avoid this crash. By the time the bus driver checked left to see if the lane was clear, it was too late. Defensive drivers are trained to know, at all times, the traffic conditions ahead, behind and to the side(s) of their vehicle. If either one of these drivers were trained defensive drivers, this is, at the very worst a near crash. Ignorance of defensive driving skills is very expensive.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-XHampf1bbmE/bad_accident_stupid_car_driver_bus_skid_and_crash_on_road/
Drinking and driving does not mix, that is for sure. However, I submit to you that the two in the vehicle are not drunk. They not slurring their words, speak clearly. The passenger is not spilling his beer, even in a moving vehicle and is in complete control of his lit cigarette; uncommon things for a drunk. When driving, the driver does not weave, but drives in a straight line. His error, is that he cut the corner with the assumption that in such a deserted place, no other vehicle would be coming down the road. Defensive drivers never cut corners assuming there is no other traffic. Defensive drivers always assume there is traffic around the next corner. True, these guys should not be drinking in the vehicle, but beer did not kill them - bad driving habits did!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/704155/most_shocking_car_accident/
Trained defensive drivers know that we should look where we are going and that a vehicle tends to drift in the direction we are looking. Knowing this, defensive drivers respond to training on how to overcome the bodies natural tendencies to drift in the direction we are looking, and thus would have avoided the crash you are about to witness. The announcer stated that the vehicle behind the crashing vehicle is driven by a "good driver". That is untrue. That vehicle is tailgating and good drivers do not tailgate. The car behind was simply very lucky. His driving habits will likely cause a crash sooner or later.
ww.metacafe.com/watch/1384787/full_speed_highway_crash/
Every graduate of a defensive driving course can give you testimonies of how the knowledge and experience gained in that training kept him or her from danger on the road. Many can give you testimonies of avoiding, at least, one automobile crash by applying defensive driving techniques. They will tell you, “One avoided crash is worth the time and financial investment required to learn and apply defensive driving skills.” The average cost of a vehicle crash with no bodily injury is $8,040.00. (2007 stats.) The average cost of a vehicle crash with bodily injury is 1.2 million dollars! It costs much less to learn to avoid vehicle crashes for a lifetime. It takes only one skilled defensive driver to avoid most crashes. Don't depend on the driving skills of others. Why not be the skilled driver that avoids crashes because of your driving ability rather than crash because you meet another unskilled driver.
Because we have to pass all of our operating costs on to our clients, this is a free site. With our limited possibilities at this free site and with our limited site building skills we produced the best web site we know how to create. It isn’t flashy or top quality, but it gives all of the information needed. It is free to us and this savings is reflected in lower charges to our clients. As noted above, this is the only official Joda Collins Driving Academy Web Site.
3. WHAT IS DEFENSIVE DRIVING?
When using the term “defensive driving” some that have never had a defensive driving course or been introduced to the value of incorporating defensive driving skills become confused because they do not know what "defensive driving" is. Defensive drivers apply 23 driving skills that allow them to drive in hostile and hazardous driving environments and among poor drivers and still enjoy a lifetime of crash free driving or, at least, dramatically decrease their chances of crashing.
Defensive driving is the opposite of “aggressive driving”. Aggressive drivers concentrate only on what they are doing, where they are going and what they want out of the driving experience. Aggressive drivers do not show consideration for others on the road and do not “give” or make allowances for the poor driving habits of others.
Watch out for aggressive drivers. Aggressive drivers are dangerous to everyone, including themselves. Aggressive drivers do not have accidents. They crash. The difference between an accident and a crash is that a crash is avoidable. An accident is not avoidable. There are very few driving accidents. Almost all damage to property and life and all loss of life on the roadways are easily avoidable when using defensive driving techniques. It only takes one trained defensive driver to avoid most collisions. Why not be that defensive driver, rather than hope that other drivers on the road you share are skilled?
Defensive driving is the opposite of “automatic” driving. The automatic driver knows how to steer and turn the vehicle and may know the rules of the road; however, the “automatic” (non-thinking) driver is never prepared for the unexpected. Defensive drivers concentrate on what they are doing and what other drivers and pedestrians are doing or might do. A defensive driver does not focus on what he or she is “getting” from the driving experience, only on what he or she is providing others while driving. Defensive drivers “give” a little by making wise and timely allowances for the poor driving habits of others and “watching out” for other drivers and pedestrians. Defensive drivers pose safety to others. The defensive driver’s goal is to drive a lifetime free of traffic citations and crashes. To accomplish these things, defensive drivers learn more than the rules of the road, how a vehicle turns left, right, goes forward or backwards and how a vehicle starts and stops. They learn and constantly employ 23 defensive driving techniques.
Like all learning, it is only after one acquires the skills that one can really appreciate those skills. The only individuals that feel acquiring defensive driving skills are unimportant are those that do not know or apply the defensive driving skills. I have never met an individual that has taken a defensive driving course who states that learning defensive driving skills is a waste of time or money. Only those who know little or nothing about defensive driving make such a statement.
4. DEFINITION OF “A BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVING LESSON”
A behind the wheel driving lesson lasts one hour and 30 minutes. During most or all of that time, the student is behind the wheel. When safety mandates or when it is faster to show than tell, the Instructor may have the student learn by watching first. The first driving lesson always begins in a parking or vacant lot. For the first lesson the Instructor always drives to the parking or vacant lot.
5. BRIEF BREAK
Ninety minutes is a long time to be learning anything without a break. In each 1.5 hour driving session, we take a three minute break which allows the student to gather his or her thoughts and relax for a moment. This break is for the safety of the student, the Instructor and others on the road.
A first-time driver must have or secure a learner's permit or a driver's license before driving behind the wheel of a
7. DO WE PROVIDE THE VEHICLE FOR TRAINING?
Yes.
8. CAN A STUDENT USE HIS OR HER VEHICLE?
Yes. Although we provide the vehicle for behind the wheel training (pictured at the top of this page in the right hand corner) a student can use his or her personal vehicle if the Instructor feels safe with the student behind the wheel of a vehicle without a passenger's side brake. Our company vehicle has a second brake. There are no cost savings to the client to use his or her own vehicle. The Instructor is more at risk when he is training in a vehicle without a second brake, as is the Student. Because of that added stress and responsibility we do not discount our services to those that use their own vehicle. However, we understand there are a number of reasons why a student would prefer to train in his or her vehicle. We honor that decision, if we can. Be sure your insurance company will cover the training session as our insurance company only covers our Instructor when he is in our vehicle or another vehicle with a second brake. Because the Instructor has no brake, he must have confidence in the student driver that he or she will brake and cease braking in accord with the Instructor's directions. If the Instructor believes it too dangerous to allow the student to use his or her car, the student must use our company vehicle until such time as the student's driving skill level improves enough that the Instructor believes the student drives safely enough to trust behind wheel of a vehicle not equipped with a second brake.
Note from Instructor: I have never had a crash in a company vehilce; however, I have been involved in one crash with a student's vehicle. The student was practicing parking, as she had done several times before. However, for whatever reason she froze behind the wheel as she approached the stop location. That happens! I said "brake" but nothing happend. I said in quick succession and with more emphasis with each repetition, "brake, Brake, BRAKE!, BRAKE!!! However, she did not apply the brake. The vehicle jumped the stop bar. That two mile per hour mistake costs the the owner of the vehicle over $500 in vehilce repairs. If she was in my vehicle, I would have applied the second brake in ample time to avoid the crash. In light of this, I suggest that Clients think twice about using their own vehicle for training.
Our vehicle has cloth interior that stains easily and absorbs odors. We are grateful to students that schedule their driving session so they can shower after work or school and enter our vehicle in clean clothing.
9. THE CLASSROOM
The classroom is your home (home/self study) and the vehicle. The Florida State Driving Manual is your textbook. You may secure that handbook from any Department of Motor Vehicle Office or find it free on line at http://www.lowestpricetrafficschool.com/handbooks/. In addition, students are provided study materials by Joda Collins. You, as the student (if taking a "Course" from us) are required to complete the reading and written assignments provided to you by the Instructor at the end of each lesson. Students taking one lesson at a time, but more than one lesson in all can ask for the homework assignments. There is no additional charge for the student to accomplish the homework assignments and turn them in for grading. Assigning homework rather than teach in the classroom helps keep the cost of this training down.
10. SERVICE RADIUS
Within the State of Florida, we serve a 100-mile radius from
11. DO WE SERVE ALABAMA?
Yes and no. We serve people from Alabama but we cannot do driver's training in Alabama. The private driver's training businesses in Florida falls under the authority of the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles and Traffic Safety Division. The private driver's training for Alabama falls under the Department of Public Education. The Department of Public Education determined in 1967 that only those who are or were public school teachers can operate a private driving school in the State of Alabama. There are other rules and regulations, also. This Alabama ruling explains why the costs for driver's training in Alabama is excessive and exceeds my charges by almost 600%. Their ruling stunts private business efforts to provide a service to the Alabama community. So, I can meet you in Florida or drive to Alabama and take you across the Florida State line to teach driving skills, but I cannot train in Alabama.
12. CAN PARENTS (SPOUSES) RIDE DURING TRAINING?
Parents or spouses are invited and welcome to ride when the the student. Just let the Instructor know you want to go. We encourage the individual paying for the lesson(s) to ride along, at least, long enough to learn the driving deficiencies of the student. It makes it easier to pay for the training if one realizes the seriousness of the poor driving skills of the student and if the one paying is able to chart the progress of the student. Most parents find the "ride along" a little frightening but quite educational. No one under the age of 12 can be our vehicle during driver's training.
13. DRIVING IS A CALM EXPERIENCE. OFTEN, STUDENTS, ARE NERVOUS OR APPREHENSIVE
Driving takes work, training, practice and concentration; however, do not be nervous. Everything will be fine.
14. USING OUR VEHICLE FOR THE STATE DRIVING TEST?
DO WE RENT OR LOAN OUR VEHICLE FOR THE
The answer to how long the training takes depends on the driver's:
A. Goals
B. Learning ability
C. Degree of commitment to the learning process
D. How much information one brings to the first lesson and acquires from self-study and from
listening to the Instructor during the training time
E. How much experience one brings with them to the first lesson.
F. How much practice the student can do on their own during the training time.
G. How much homework a student accomplishes between each driving session.
In most cases, the prescribed Course sessions are sufficient for graduation; however, do remember that the each Course of three lessons or more assume the driver can drive at 15 mph without hitting stationary objects with the steering assistance of the Instructor. One hundred twelve (112) people die in the USA every hour in traffic crashes (41,059 deaths in 2007). More than 1,000 people are involved in traffic crashes every day in Florida. A five mile per hour crash with today's rubber or plastic bumpers cost between $3,000 and $5,000 in repairs and the the "average crash" cost more than $8,000 in repairs. The average financial cost where there is a death exceeds 1.2 million dollars. Most crashes are avoidable. In most cases, it only takes one skilled defensive driver to avoid a crash, we encourage everyone to become that one skilled defensive driver amid the many that "just passed the driving test". In most cases, students learn the basics of defensive driving in five to six driving sessions (following their ability to drive at a low speed without hitting stationary objects). Considering all of the above, a $594 investment in a defensive driving course seems a wise financial investment to us. A word to the wise is sufficient. Do not bet or stake your life and the life of someone you love on the poor driving skill of others. 16. CLASSROOM AND INTERNET TRAINING The purpose of the license examination is to determine several things: a. Can the student read and understand road signs, traffic signs and highway markings? b. Does the student know the Florida driving rules of the road? c. Can the student use the accelerator, steering and braking systems appropriately? d. Does the student have the elementary skill and basic experience to drive safely in, at least, a mild driving environment ? VISION TEST - standard vision screening LOCATION TEST: The ability to know where the vehicle is relative to other solid 19. CLASSROOM AND INTERNET (Including getting your learner's permit) TRAINING scroll down Keep scrolling down. Keep scrolling down. scroll down Keep scrolling down. Keep scrolling down. Keep scrolling down.
If the driver's goal is to "graduate" so they can drive or receive a vehicle as a "prize" for graduation but feels driver's training is, otherwise, a waste of their time, then learning is (typically) very, very slow. If the student's goal is just to "put in their time" so they can get their prize (license, driving rights to family or personal vehicle) then the student is focused on the clock during the training rather than on learning to drive safely. Their goal is not safe driving, but to "get the training over with so they can get their prize". Such a student, typically. learns slowly and teaching such a student is like "pulling teeth" from a person that does not want their teeth pulled. It is hard, hard work. My suggestion to parents is that if a person cannot understand the importance of safe driving and is not self-motivated to be a safe driver, that such a person is not mature enough to be entrusted behind the wheel of a vehicle. It is impossible to "make a person want to drive safely". It is impossible to "bribe a person" with a license or a vehicle to be a safe driver. Driving is serious business. Until a person is mature enough to commit to learning to be a safe driver for the sake of their safety and the safety of others, said individual lacks the maturity to be a safe driver. Delay the driver's training until the driver wants to be trained; otherwise, you are investing in a future crash. That future crash is as much your fault as it is theirs for you equipped an immature person with a driver's license and a vehicle. Do not give a loaded gun to a person that is not self-motivated to shoot safely nor a vehicle to a person that is not self-motivated to drive safely.
Given the fact that:
Charges range from $60 to $999 depending on the service you receive. To secure a complete list of services and charges scroll to the top of this page and in the "header" click on "Cost/Fees".
Scroll to the top of this page and click on "Course Information". Go to the bottom of that page.
17. WILL MY INSURANCE BE LESS IF I GRADUATE YOUR DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE?
If you are younger than 18 your insurance will probably be less expensive if you graduate the Basic Defensive Driving Course. If you are between 18 and 21 or over 55 years of age, your insurance may be less if you graduate the Basic Defensive Driving Course. For those between 22 to 54 you probably will not get any discount on your insurance even as a graduate of the Basic Defensive Driving Course; however, you may get a discount if you graduate the Advanced Defensive Driving Course. We use the words "probably", "may","may" and "maybe" because every insurance provider has their own requirements for providing a discount. Call your insurance provider and tell them that the Joda Collins Driving Academy is a Florida State licensed driving school and the Defensive Driving Course consists of nine hours behind the wheel training and 18 hours of homework. If your insurance provider requires something different more, let us know and we will try to conform to their requirements.
Lenses or Glasses
You will be restricted to wearing corrective lenses when you drive if you need to wear contact lenses or glasses to pass the test.
Telescopic lenses - you are not eligible for a driver license if you wear glasses with telescopic lenses.
Requirements
Your driving privilege will be revoked if you are unable to meet the rules of vision standards. To pass, you must meet the following vision standards with or without corrective lenses:
20/40 or better vision in each eye with or without corrective lenses meets state requirements without referral to an eye specialist.
20/50 or worse vision in either eye with or without corrective lenses are referred to an eye specialist for possible improvement.
20/70 or worse vision in either eye, or in both eyes together may pass with or without corrective lenses. If vision cannot be improved; however, if prime eye is blind or 20/200 or worse, the other eye must be 20/40 or better.
The use of telescopic lenses to meet visual standards is not recognized in Florida.
ROAD SIGN TEST
Multiple choice test which consists of 20 road signs for you to identify by color, shape or meaning.
ROAD RULES TEST
Multiple choice test which consists of 20 questions regarding Florida traffic laws.
VEHICLE INSPECTION
Your vehicle will be inspected to determine that it is safe for a road test.
DRIVING TEST
You must provide a vehicle for the driving test.
If you do not have a valid license, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver.
No one may accompany you and the examiner(s) during the driving test. You will be expected to perform the following maneuvers on the driving test:
SAFELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE: Demonstrate an ability to rightly use the steering, accelerator and brake in a fashion that keeps the vehicle under the drivers control at all times.
TURN ABOUT - Turn your car around in a 30' to 40' space.
SHIFT GEARS - Change gears smoothly and correctly (if your car has a manual shift transmission).
APPROACH OF CROSSING/INTERSECTION - Get in the proper lane and look in each direction. Change gears smoothly and correctly (if your car has a manual shift transmission). Never change lanes in or near an intersection unless it is lawful to do so.
OBSERVE RIGHT-OF-WAY - Allow pedestrians to cross, pull over and stop for emergency vehicles and do not enter an intersection where you will interfere with other traffic. Never "challenge" a pedistrian with a vehicle. Your yield should give an unmistakeable impression to the pedestrian that the pedestrian has nothing to fear from your driving.
STRAIGHT-IN PARKING - Park your vehicle inside the parking space straight-in. When properly parked, the vehicle should be centered inside the space with no part of the vehicle extending out in the traffic lane. This maneuver gives the examiner the opportunity to observe your ability to:
a. Handle the vehicle in close quarters
b. Judge distance
c. Maintain control of the vehicle as you turn into a straight-in parking space. Exit the space successfully.
d. It is required to be looking back when moving in reverse. It is acceptable to stop the vehicle while in reverse and
then look to the side or front.
EXIT A STRAIGHT IN PARING SPACE - Exit the parking space in a manner that would clear a vehicle parked to your right, a vehicle parked to your left and a row of vehicles parked behind.
If there is no hill on your driving test, this maneuver is simulated when the car is in the straight-in parking space or when the car is pulled over to the side of the road before the turnabout maneuver. You will be instructed to show or tell the examiner what you would do if you were going to leave the vehicle parked up or down a hill, with or without a curb.
QUICK START - The pupose of the quick start is to determine if the driver can quickly accelerate in order to avoid a crash.
QUICK STOP - Stop the vehilce more quickly than normal but short of an all out four tires squeeling across the pavement. The purpose of this is to detemine the driver's ability to control the vehicle in a quick stop as well as the driver's ability to stop quickly.
SOFT STOP - Stop the vehicle at all times and at all speeds without the passenger's heads or bodies moving forward abruptly at the end of your stop.
BACKING - Back for a distance of 50 feet at a slow speed. Do not use the rear-view mirror when backing. Look to the rear instead. It is required to be looking back when moving in reverse. It is acceptable to stop the vehicle while in reverse and then look to the side or front.
OBEY STOP SIGNS - Give the proper signal if turning, approach in the proper lane, come to a complete stop before reaching the pedestrian crosswalk or stop line, and remain stopped until you can move safely without interfering with cross traffic. Know how to negotiate an "all-way" stop.
OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNALS - Get into the proper lane and approach the light at a speed that will allow you to stop if the light should change. When you must stop, stop before the pedestrian crosswalk or stopline. When the light turns green, do not move forward until the other traffic has cleared the intersection. Give the correct signal for stopping and turning. Watch for "no turn" and "one way" signs.
SIGNAL AND TURN - Get into the proper lane and signal your turn for the last 100 feet unless doing so would cause confusion in the driving environment. You may use either hand signals or mechanical signals. Slow before reaching the crosswalk and turn into the proper lane.
PASSING - Always look ahead and behind to make sure you can pass safely. Pass on the left, unless the car ahead is about to make a left turn or is in the left turn lane on a street with more than one lane in each direction. Do not pass on the shoulder (side of the road).
STAY
FOLLOW AT A SAFE DISTANCE - Do not drive too closely behind other cars. Use the Two Second Rule.
USE PROPER POSTURE - Keep both hands on the steering wheel and do not rest your elbow in the window.
AWARENESS OF CROSS TRAFFIC: Demonstate an awareness of others in the driving environment, including an awarness of traffic conditions at intersections.
objects in the driving environment.
Go to our “Course Information” page. (See link above in the "heading".)
To contact us, call 850 981-3355, email JodaCollins@aol.com
or scroll down several clicks (inches).
Keep scrolling down.
Keep scrolling down.
Keep scrolling down.
Keep scrolling down.
Keep scrolling down.
Keep scrolling down.
Keep scrolling down.
Keep scrolling down.
Keep scrolling down.
Use your down bar to the right to continue down four more inches. Sorry for this inconvenience.
