For answers to questions about the Joda Collins Driving Academy read the black print on this page. For answers to general questions about other driving matters/issues, scroll down to the blue print on this page.  If you have a question about driving that is not addressed on this page, feel free to call us for the answer.

Notice:  As much interaction as possible flows email rather than snail mail or via telephone. DO NOT provide us an Email address that you do not want EVERYTHING about your account shared.  All email addresses you provide us receives all relevant information. 

IS A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR DRIVER'S PERMIT REQUIRED TO BEGIN TRAINING BEHIND THE WHEEL?
Yes.  Contact your local Dept of Driver License Office. 

WOULDN'T BE WISER OR BETTER TO USE A PERSONS OWN VEHICLE FOR TRAINING SINCE THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE USING THEIR OWN VEHICLE TO TAKE THE STATE BEHIND THE WHEEL EXAM?
Response:  Not really. The training vehicle has second brake which often is necessary when training new drivers.  The Instructor is accustomed to our vehicle. In the event of an emergency his knowledge of the vehicle is an important asset.  This question assumes the most important or most difficult thing about learning to drive is getting used to the vehicle one is driving.  Fewer than 1% of all vehicle crashes are related to the driver being unfamiliar with the vehicle.  Almost all crashes are related to driver error, poor driving habits or failure to apply defensive driving techniques.  When a person knows how to drive one car well, legally, safely, while obeying the rules of the road and applying the 23 defensive driving techniques, it is very easy for the driver to get behind the wheel of any vehicle and drive well.  However, until a driver can does these things, he or she is safer in a driver's training vehicle.  These things said, if a person wants to use their vehicle after said individual is safe behind the wheel, that is a good idea.

HOW MUCH DOES "IT" COST?
That is an excellent question and quite relevant; however, it depends on what the "it" is.  If the "it" is our least expensive lesson it is $65.00.  If the "it" is the most expensive lesson, it is $114.00.  Our least expensive Course is $316 and our most expensive Course is $1,083.00.  Our most purchased Course is $594.00.   We serve people who want something as simple as learning how to park to those that have never driven a vehicle and do not know the difference between the accelerator and the brake, but want to learn to be excellent drivers fully aware of the laws of the road and the 23 defensive driving skills.  Let us know what you want.  Whatever you want is the "it".  When we can define the "it", we can give you an exact price, or at least a reasonable estimate. 

DO WE PROVIDE DOOR-TO-DOOR PICK UP SERVICE?
Yes, but not for free.  Door-to-door service puts our vehicle out of commission for earning money from training, our only vehicle is our only source of income therefore it is rented by the minute. Every minute it is used to serve someone else, whether it be for pick up service of training must be an income producing use.  See our Cost/Fees page for current pick up costs and charges.

WHAT KIND OF GUARANTEE DO YOU HAVE?
If you don't feel what we provided you is worth the charge, don't pay. Hold you money until the lesson is over and keep it if you feel our service isn't worth the money.  Of, if you pay in advance for lesson and feel it was not worth it, we will refund the cost of the lesson in full, no questions asked. We are honored to announce that no one has ever refused to pay or asked for their money back!  If you pass any Course and fail the State behind the wheel exam, we will give you a lesson at no charge to you (up to one hour) to help you with driving skills you did not pass at the State exam. 

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY "BETTER BUSINESS" AGENCY? 
No.  The major service of Better Business and similar agencies is to negotiate financial disruptions between the business and the Client.  Since you do not have to pay if you do not want to, there is nothing to negotiate.  We have two goals that guide our business. 1. That every student drives crash free for life.  2. That every Client is completely happy with our service.  We will do everything we can, within reason and beyond, to best insure these two goals are met.  If we can do more or better for you, just ask.  We will do our best to meet your expectations.   We believe our business is more pro-Client than the rules of the BBB require.  We use the highest standards of the BBB as our starting place for excellent service.  We have nothing against the BBB, we just do not pay them the fee required since our standards meet or exceed theirs and since we don't demand money for services rendered, we see no need to pay a BBB affliliate fee.  To the best of our knowledge, every Client (past and present) is a happy Client.  If you become unhappy with us, we will do everything we can to regain your favor.  Just let us know.  If we know what is expected, we do better at meeting those expectations.  Like my Pappy use to say, "I can't dry your tears, if I don't know you're crying." 

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Our services are behind the wheel. We teach beginning drivers how to drive safely by helping them understand the rules of the road and how to apply 23 defensive driving skills so they can drive crash free for a long lifetime even when driving among poor drivers and in adverse weather conditions.  We teach skills necessary to pass the Florida Department of Highway Safety behind the wheel exam that is required to secure a driver's license.  We provide assessments for those that want an objective analysis of their driving safety.  We do more. See your "Cost/Fees/Agreement Page for a full accounting of our services and prices.

CAN I USE YOUR VEHICLE FOR THE STATE BEHIND THE WHEEL TEST?
Yes, if you are a graduate of our Defensive Driving Course and will pay us for renting our vehicle for the test. 

CAN I GET A FULL REFUND OF ALL MONIES PAID AFTER I ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF MANY LESSONS.
No. You can get a full refund of any money paid for any single lesson you take from us (except for the Three/Three Course and Evaluation Sessions) but feel was not worth the investment.  However, we do not give full refunds of multiple lessons any more than any other business gives refunds for services rendered and accepted.  
A complete explanation of our liberal refund policy is on our Cost/Fees/Agreement page.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN TO PASS THE STATE DRIVING EXAM?
The Florida State driver's license is not awarded on the basis of "how much time a person has behind the wheel", therefore, preparing to pass that exam is not the product of "how long" one spends in preparation for that test. The Florida State driving exam requires a driver to be able to safely using steering, braking and acceleration and drive in accord with the rules of the road.  Various tests are used to determine the skill level of these four components such as parking, turn about (3-point turn) and more.  See the Florida State Official Driver's Handbook (available for free at any Driver's License Office or free on line) for current details about skills required. We can train most people who can safely drive to pass the Florida State Driver's Exam in 2 lessons.  We do provide an "evaluation".  After that evaluation session we can tell you how long it should take to prepare a driver to pass the Florida State behind the wheel exam. An evaluation is $109 (weekdays) or $114 (Saturday) and lasts about 75-minutes.  If, in our opinion, the student-driver needs more than our estimated time to be prepared for the State test, we will provide an additional (up to) one-hour of training at no charge to you (except pick up charges, if applicable).  If you complete your training and we tell you that you should pass the State driving exam and you fail the State test, we will provide an addition (up to) one hour of training at no charge (except for pick up fees, if applicable) to help you with the driving skills you failed in the State test. 

I NEED HELP PASSING THE WRITTEN PART OF THE STATE DRIVER'S EXAM. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THAT?
Yes, Call us.

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE TRAINED AT ONE TIME?
One. This is one-to-one training.  All commitment is to one student at a time.  This changers under certain limited conditions and with the approval of the Client.

WHAT IF I AM TOO NERVOUS TO DRIVE BEHIND THE WHEEL?
Your training is in stages.  You will not be too nervous to drive behind the wheel for long.  We will help you.

IS THERE ANY CLASSROOM TRAINING INVOLVED?
Yes and no. Classroom (seated at a desk and studying printed material) is required, but it is self-study.  Eighteen hours of homework is assigned for those that enroll in any Course.  Completion of the homework to a standard relevant to each specific Course is required.  The cost for this material is between zero dollars and $20 depending on whether the student wants to keep the study material after the training is completed. 

IS RESCHEDULING PERMITTED?
Rescheduling is permitted but not encouraged.  Our administrative costs for accomplishing a reschedule consumes 100% of our profit for each lesson rescheduled if we are not paid for the lesson.  Lessons rescheduled before 9pm are rescheduled without financial penaity to the Client, even though the chances of filling that slot with another student is almost zero. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE JODA COLLINS DRIVING ACADEMY
See www.JodaCollins.com, "Cost/Fees/Agreement" page.