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ATTACHMENT ONE
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TABLE OF CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION
2. SAFETY FIRST! DISABILITIES/SAFETY - - CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS AND MEDICATIONS
QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
3. VEHICLE SELECTION QUESTION FOR YOU.
4. LIMITED LIABILITY CLAUSES
5. LESSON START LOCATION
6. WE HAVE NO VERBAL AGREEMENTS NOR FUCTION BY
ASSUMPTION, EVER!
7. DISCLAIMERS
8. CONTRACT CLARIFICATION
9. SCHEDULING
10. FINANCIAL DISCLAIMER
11. CONTRACT INFORMATION
12. EMAIL REMINDER FOR YOUR LESSON DETAILS
13. YOUR RIGHTS AND OUR RIGHTS 14. BRIEF ARTICLE TO READ
15. QUESTIONS 16. SUMMARY OF SOME KEY FACTS
1. INTRODUCTION A. When it comes to business policies and procedures there are three options. (1). We can not have any business policies and procedures and confront, debate and/or argue how my business should be run as things arise. This is not a good option for anyone. (2). You, the Client and/or the Student-driver can produce a list of business policies and procedures for my (Joda Collins) consideration and allow me to suggest changes to those polices and procedures as a condition of me doing business with you. (3). I (Joda Collins) can produce a list of my business policies and procedures for my Clients and Student-drivers consideration and allow my Clients and Student-drivers to suggest changes to those policies and procedures as a condition for my Clients and Student-drivers to do business with me. I opt for number three and welcome your input. If want to change anything, just let me know and I will consider it. The only things I will not consider is serving for less money or working for free. I do not expect anyone to commit to memory all of these policies and procedures, however, I hope for a kind and gracious response when circumstances warrant their implementation. 2. SAFETY FIRST! DISABILITIES/SAFETY -- CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS AND MEDICATIONS QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
Because of privacy laws, you are not required to answer questions A, B or C below. If you opt not to answer questions A, B and C, please do answer question D. However, if I (Joda Collins) know the answer to questions A, B and C before putting a driver behind-the-wheel it allows me to train faster and with more safety. Eventually, I usually discover all of the answers to these questions by observing a driver and the driver's habits and countenance behind-the-wheel.
A. Does Student-driver have ADD or ADHD? YES NO
B. Does the Student-driver have any learning Disability/Difficulty? YES NO
(1). If so, what is the driver's learning disability/difficulty
C. Does the Student-driver take any drugs and/or medications that may effect driving safety? YES NO
(1). If so, what such drugs or medications does the driver take?
D. I prefer not to answer the above questions. TRUE FALSE
Obviously, if you answered the above questions you can ignore this question (D). We place this question here because some readers miss reading well questions A, B and C above. 3. VEHICLE SELECTION QUESTION FOR YOU.
A. Typically it takes one lesson or less to teach parking and three-point turn. For parking and the three-point turn, we prefer (but do not mandate) to use the vehicle the Student-driver will be using for his or her State exam if he or she is taking the State Driving Exam. We prefer this for several reasons that we will cheerfully share upon request. Unless otherwise directed by the Client, we will assume the Student-driver is using the same vehicle he or she will be using for his or her State exam to practice parking and the three-point turn when in training with Mr. Collins.
If you are not receiving training for parking and three point turn you can skip this Section. I (Joda Collins) prefer, but do not require, to use your vehicle for parking and three-point turn and my vehicle for over-the-road (in traffic) training. Will you be using your (the student driver's or client's) insured vehicle or the Joda Collins Driving Academy vehicle for parking and three-point turn training? _______________.
4. LIMITED LIABILITY CLAUSES
A. When in the Joda Collins vehicle, you agree not to hold Joda Collins and/or the Joda Collins Driving Academy responsible for any physical, emotional or psychological damage, real or imagined, that occurs during training relative to but not limited to any steering, braking or acceleration that is not associated with a crash and said crash must incur, at least, $100 property/vehicle damage regardless of who is driving or who is steering, braking or accelerating. When, in a client’s vehicle, the vehicle owner assumes all liability including all liability that is over and above car owner's maximum insurance limit.
B. I (Joda Collins) prefer to use your insured vehicle for parking and three-point turn training. If you want to know why, just ask. I prefer to use my car for all other (over-the-road) training. If you want to know why, just ask.
C. If you (Client/Student-driver) use your own car any liability claims exceeding your maximum insurance limit can be taken from the owner's current estate and future earnings by the action of the court or courts. This is not my law. This is THE law.
D. If you would not ride in roller coaster, do not ride or be in a driver's training vehicle and/or during driver's training; in both cases (roller coaster and during training) you are taking an assumed risk at your own risk.
E. If you (the Client) do not get an email reminder of your driving session between 12:01am and 8:30pm the day before your driving appointment EVEN IF YOU RECEIVED A REMINDER OR CONFIRMATION EARLIER, there may be a scheduling problem. Please call 850 981-3355 or email jodacollins@aol.com to discover if there is problem. If you do not contact us by email or phone at least two-hours before the scheduled lesson we will not assume responsibility, financial or otherwise, for that missed lesson. This need covers a glitch/weakness in our scheduling system that we cannot get rid of without your assistance. We place this burden on you because we have to. If you want to know why, just ask. This is so important we place this requirement twice in this Contract.
5. LESSON START LOCATION
If no door-to-door service is requested and agreed to then the start location is 3804 Garcon Point Rd, Milton, 32583 which is less than one-tenth of one mile off of Exit 26 and Interstate 10, Milton, 6.5 miles East of Pensacola (the second exit after crossing the Escambia Bay Bridge). This (3804 Garcon Point Road) is not our office addresses. This is a Shell Station. Please park in the spaces at the side of the building (Manager's request), enter the front doors and turn left. My (Joda Collins') photo is at www.jodacollins.com . I will be seated immediately in front of you. My cell phone number is 850 304-1870.
For additional lessons, if any, the start location is across the street, 3815 Garcon Point Road, the Dollar General Store. Please park in the spaces that face and are the closest to the side road (Manager's request). I use the same parking spaces and will be in my car there. My cell phone is 850 304-1870.
6. WE HAVE NO VERBAL AGREEMENTS NOR FUNCTION BY ASSUMPTION, EVER!
We will never attempt to hold you hostage nor will we be held hostage to anything that follows, "But you said....", "But, I said....", nor "But, I thought (assumed)...." If it is important to you, get it in writing. We do! If it is not in writing, you never said it, we never said it and no one will be held accountable/responsible for what someone else wrongly assumed.
7. DISCLAIMERS
A. Nothing in any email is valid if it is different from the facts and figures in any Contract found at www.jodacollins.com , Agreement Page unless specifically stated as exempt in an email. It is easy to make a typing or mental error in an email while every fact and figure in this Contract has been carefully worded and triple checked for accuracy by four individuals. B. We reserve the right to make changes in wording and format to any Contract or Attachment without issuing a new replacement Contract as long as said changes do not affect benefits, obligations or charges.
8. CONTRACT CLARIFICATION
This is a legal document. If you do not understand something in this document, please ask. If we feel you have given us every reasonable opportunity to clarify this document to you and you still are confused, at your request we will consider paying your Attorney to explain it to you. Contact us for specifics.
9. SCHEDULING
A. WHO CAN SCHEDULE, CANCEL AND/OR RESCHEDULE? Only the Client (the financially responsible person) can schedule, cancel or reschedule. We do not accept scheduling request by telephone or voice mail but only by email or US Postal System. Go to JodaCollins.com and follow the scheduling directions in the Available Dates and Times Section. If you have questions about scheduling, please ask via email and not by phone. If you want to know the reason for this, just ask. B. To avoid the loss of the 100% loss of the $100 deposit the Joda Collins Driving Academy must receive a notice of cancelation at least two-hours prior to the scheduled appointment if door-to-door service is provided or at least a one-hour notice before the scheduled appointment if no door-to-door service is provided.
10. FINANCIAL DISCLAIMER
When we give you (the Client) a payment figure, double check our figures with your contracted price and if you find an error, please forgive our error and notify us of your findings. Any contractually factual or financial error that is:
A. Discovered before the above service is rendered may be corrected.
B. To the benefit of the client and is discovered after the above service is rendered will be corrected and the missed benefit provided to the client.
C. After the above service is rendered that is to the detriment of the client will not be corrected.
D. Discovered before or after the service above is provided will not be carried over to any additional service
11. CONTRACT INFORMATION
If you do not like something about this Contract, tell me and I will try to work with you to adjust this to your liking. I am more interested in a meeting of the minds than I am in keeping every thing in this Contact unchanged. The only things I will not consider changing are the things that cost me time or money. I cannot serve for less or do more for FREE and stay in business. For easier reading, if you want a paper copy of this Contract mailed to you, just ask. If you want a copy of this Contact emailed to you as an attachment or within the body of an email, just ask.
12. EMAIL REMINDER FOR YOUR LESSON DETAILS
If you (the Client) do not get an email reminder of your driving session between 12:01am and 8:30pm the day before your driving appointment EVEN IF YOU RECEIVED A REMINDER OR CONFIRMATION EARLIER, there may be a scheduling problem. Please call 850 981-3355 or email jodacollins@aol.com to discover if there is problem. If you do not contact us by email or phone at least two-hours before the scheduled lesson we will not assume responsibility, financial or otherwise, for that missed lesson. This need covers a glitch/weakness in our scheduling system that we cannot get rid of without your assistance. We place this burden on you because we have to. If you want to know why, just ask.
13. YOUR RIGHTS AND OUR RIGHTS
We understand that you reserve the right not to be served by us at any time with out without explanation. We, also, reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at any time with or without explanation. We have only refused service to ten student-drivers to date, out of more than 2,100 applications
14. PLEASE READ THIS BRIEF ARTICLE BEFORE SIGNING OR AGREEING TO THE CONTRACT IF YOU ARE UNDER 26-YEARS OF AGE OR A PARENT, GUARDIAN OR THE SPOUSE OF THE STUDENT DRIVER WHO IS UNDER 26-YEARS OFAGE. https://ppsimmons.blogspot.com/2019/09/most-people-prior-to-age-25-lack-good.html
15. QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about this Contract please do not call on the phone to get your question(s) answered or ask for a one-to-one, face-to-face, person-to-person meeting for discussing the Contract. Rather, ask via email (JodaCollins@aol.com) or US Postal Service (Joda Collins, 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton, FL 32583 which is our mailing address and NOT our office address). We have very good reasons for this request / procedure that best serves us and you. If you want to know why, just ask via email or US Postal Service.
16. SUMMARY OF SOME KEY FACTS
Only the Client (the financially responsible person) can schedule, cancel or reschedule. We do not accept scheduling only via our on line access/system found at www.jodacollins.com , Available Dates and Times Section. To avoid loss of your deposit ($30 to $100 depending on what Contact you are using) the Joda Collins Driving Academy must receive a notice of cancelation at least two-hours prior to the scheduled appointment if door-to-door service is provided or at least a one-hour notice before the scheduled appointment if no door-to-door service is provided.
CONTRACT SEVEN
THREE-IN-THREE TRAINING
Edited for content with no changes to services or charges on Nov 29, 2022.
PROPOSED CONTRACT If anything in this Proposed Contract is different in A. in any line, the charge of $449 will be different.
1. CORRECTIONS
If anything in this proposed contract is wrong or unacceptable with you or needs to be changed, please inform us via email to jodacollins@aol.com before scheduling.
2. APPOINTMENT
Not yet set.
3. START LOCATION
A. 3804 Garcon Point Road, Milton, FL 32583
4. FINANCE
A. $449 payable in money order or cashier's check ONLY, at the time of service.
5. REFUND
None, once payment is made.
6. CAR USED FOR THREE POINT TURN TRAINING
A. Student's insured vehicle.
7. CAR USE FOR ALL OTHER TRAINING
A. Joda Collins Driving Academy vehicle.
8. CHARGE FOR DRIVER MISSING OR RESCHEDULING LESSON NO MATTER THE CAUSE.
A. $50.00
9. ACTIVE/VALID LEGAL DRIVER LICENSE
Driver has a current active/valid/legal driver license that will still be active/valid/legal when driver takes the four-hours of driver's training. 10. LENGTH OF DRIVING LESSON A. Driver is taking all four-hours of training in one lesson/appointment.
SCHEDULING 11. DRIVER AND FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PERSON (IF NOT THE SAME PERSON) has read Attachment One (above) and accepts all of the benefits and responsibilities outlined therein. 12. SCHEDULING
13. If everything above is acceptable, please go to www.jodacollins.com , Available times and dates section and schedule in accord with directions there. If anything above needs to be changed, please advise us by email (JodaCollins@aol.com) and do not schedule at this time.
2. FINANCES: REFUND A. If you provide at least a one-hour notice of cancellation or if we (Joda Collins Driving Academy) cancel for any reason, then 100% of all fees, including the minimum deposit of $100 fee plus the door-to-door fee are refundable. B. If you cancel with less than a one-hour notice even if the reason for the cancelation is not your fault (unavoidable, an act of God), none of your door-to-door fees are refundable and $50 of your tuition payment in advance is not refundable. In addition, the registration fee of $30 is non-refundable; $80 total plus the door-to-door fee.
3. DURING TRAINING PLEASE DO NOT DO THE FOLLOWING. (No one is expect to memorize this list. Just read it over carefully and retain what you can with one devoted and careful reading. Thank you.)
A. Please do not take it personally when I correct your poor driving habits. It is not personal. It is professional.
B. Being evaluated for four consecutive hours is not easy. I If you find yourself experiencing any unusual degree of frustration, let me know so we can take a break. Frustrated drivers are less safe.
C. Do not use your cell phone for calls or do computer work while you are in the drivers seat unless the vehicle is stationary. Do not use your cell phone or computer even if you are in the passenger's seat, other than to answer the phone and ask the caller to wait while I pull over and out of traffic. If you want to or need to use a cell phone; let me know and I will stop the car if I am driving or direct where to stop if you are driving. Then, use your cell phone.
D. Do not reach into the back seat from the front seat. Retrieve what you want from the back seat by exiting the vehicle and opening a back seat passenger's door.
E. If you have any questions about this Contract please do not call on the phone to get your question(s) answered. Rather, ask via email (JodaCollins@aol.com) or US Postal Service (Joda Collins, 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton, FL 32583 which is our mailing address and NOT our office address) BEFORE signing this. We have very good reasons for this request / procedure that best serves us and you. If you want to know why, just ask via email or US Postal Service.
F. Do not brings foods, snacks or drinks of any kind the car for consumption during training. Please do not chew gum. Water in a container with a screw on cap is okay. If you need the reasoning for these restrictions, just ask.
A. Some three-in-three are extremely dangerous drivers and did not know it until the training. Their sudden awareness that they are poor drivers upsets them and they come kind of unglued.
B. Some are hostile or aggressive by nature when driving and/or do not accept constructive criticism (correction) well.
C. Some believe I (Joda Collins) should allow them to drive in accord with their personal rules of the road and ignore the legal rules of the road everyone else drives by, and they (the three-in-three driver) become upset or angry when I will not allow them to do so. Making up personal rules of the road and driving in traffic by those secret rules is dangerous.
D. In and of itself, being in a driver's training is a strain and to experienced drivers it might be embarrassing. I understand that. Some are mature enough to handle the strain and embarrassment without getting mad at me, the immature do not.
E. Some are angry at the State of Florida for suspending their license and see me as a State paid employee and deserving if their hate; however, I am not a State employee. I am an independent contractor. My only job is to help you keep your driver license and help you become safer behind the wheel.
F. Some refuse to follow my directions and put my life, limb and vehicle at unnecessary and easily avoidable risk. When I do not allow them to drive like maniacs, they resent it and take it out on me verbally.
H. Be decent and respectful towards me. I will be decent and respectful towards you. The training is not easy for student-drivers. I understand that. It is not easy for me either.
5. MISC. INFORMATION
A. If you want to take this four-hour training in two, two-hour sessions please notify us for further instructions.
B. If you need to schedule your training right NOW and cannot move through this scheduling process in time to meet deadlines, just let us know and we will work with you to speed things up.
C. Communication via email (JodaCollins@aol.com) is better for us and better for you in a number of ways, but your phone call (850 981-3355) is welcome.
D. We accept Visa or MasterCard Credit Cared. We do not accept debit cards, bitcoin or CaSapp.
E. This Contract has a lot of information and covers many variables. If you have a suggestion on how we can improve this Contract, please let us know. F. Certification of the completion of your training is accomplished electronically between the Driving Academy and the State. You will not need and do not get a paper copy of a completion notice.
6. ATTACHMENT ONE IS A PART OF THIS CONTRACT. You can find Attachment One immediately ABOVE this Contract.
7. ASSISTANCE. If you have any questions about this Contract of Attachment One (above), please ask via email. If after giving us a reasonable chance to answer your question or questions, if you still do not understand any part of this Contract, let us know how much your attorney would charge to explain this Contract to you and we will consider paying it.
Please do not sign or agree to this Contract if you do not understand it and accept all of the benefits and responsibilities in it that apply to you. We will hold ourselves to this Contract. We will hold you to this Contract.
8. WE HAVE NO VERBAL AGREEMENTS, EVER!. The days are over when people spoke of business dealing and sealed their verbal conversation with their word and handshake.
9. ASSUMING. We do not do business by assumption. Assume only what is in this Contract, Attachment One (above) and Attachment Two (below), please.
10. SIGNERS AND APPROVERS. Both the Student-driver and the Client (financially responsible) person are required to read this Contact and Attachment One. If you want to know why, just ask.
11. SOME KEY FACTS OF THIS CONTRACT
We accept any questions or statements about this Contract via email and we will respond via email. We do not verbally clarify, discuss, debate or negotiate legal documents (Contacts). Those who do not read this Contract but try to work with us by assumption always face difficulties and obstacles others easily avoid. You must have a valid driver license or a valid permit. We provide door-to-door service for a fee. We offer a 7% discount on tuition if you do not use Visa or MasterCard Credit Card (no debit cards accepted). Once you mail you money order or cashier’s check or provide to us your Credit Card information you can schedule by going to www.jodacollins.com and following scheduling direction in our Available Dates and Times Section. Provide to us your driver license number by email to JodaCollins@aol.com and we will direct you though this process one step at a time via email (not by phone). Or, if you prefer to work through this Registration process faster, then..
12. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW? REGISTRATION.
(1). Now, send an email to JodaCollins@aol.com providing to us the following information. You do not have to restate the question. Answering by letter designation is fine. All questions below are in relationship to the Student-driver unless otherwise clarified.
(a). Your e-mail address
(b). Your US Postal Mailing address
(c). Your full name (d). Your telephone number
(e). Driver license or State ID number (it is the same number) (f). IF you DO NOT HAVE A VALID DRIVER LICENSE or your license will not be valid when you take your training and you do not have a letter from the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety that states you must have that letter with you for the four-hours of driver training then call 850 617-2598 any non-holiday weekday between 7am and 7:05am to ask for that letter. If your license is not valid at the time of your training we must have the date of that letter before we can schedule your appointment. If you have that letter or when you get that letter, provide to us the date of that letter.
(g). Date of birth
(h). Last four numbers of your Social Security Number
(i). If you want a quote for door-to-door service (we come to you rather than you come to us one-tenth of one mile off of Interstate 10 at Exit 26, Milton, for the training), provide to us the start/end location for the training and we will provide to you the charge for that service for your consideration. (j). Do you intended to pay with money order, cashier's check, or your Visa or MasterCard Credit Card? (No cash accepted. No debit cards accepted). Or, a combination of payment methods/avenues?
(k). Are you using the Joda Collins Driving Academy Vehicle for the parking and three point turn training or your insured vehicle for that training. There is a $25 added fee to use the Joda Collins Driving Academy vehicle for parking and three point turn training. If you want to know the reason for this fee, just ask.
(l). Are you training on a weekday or training on a Saturday or on a weekday? There is a $16 added charge to train on a Saturday. See www.jodacollins.com , Available Dates and Times Section go get an idea of our availability.
(m). There is an additional $40 fee to use your insured vehicle for over-the-road / in traffic training. This charge is because of the added stress and danger Mr. Collins feels when training in a vehicle without a second brake. Using your insured vehicle for the over-the-road / in traffic (non parking lot) part of the training or the Joda Collins Driving Academy vehicle for the over the road / in traffic training.
(n). Are you selecting two, two-hour sessions or one four-hour session. There is a $30 additional fee to schedule two, two hour sessions.
(o). Are you paying more than $100 with a visa or Mastercard credit card (no debit cards accepted) is 7% of the total due. This is because payment by cash, money order or cashier's check earns a 7% discount. This will be between $32 and $44 depending on what you select as added benefits.
When we get your response we will confirm the total charge with you via return email. (p). You can pay as little as $100 plus door-to-door fee and take your training. You can pay the balance interest free, anytime. However, we will not turn in your completion to the State until the full balance is paid. Are you paying only $100 plus your door-to-door fee (if using door-to-door service or are you paying the total due? (q). Read Attachment One (found at just before this Contract. Also, read Attachment Two (found just after this Contract). (r). Do you have any unanswered questions? If so, just ask via email please.
13. CONTRACT PROPOSAL/APPROVAL: When we receive all of the information asked for in this WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW Section #12, and all of your and our questions are answered, we will send you a personalized and itemized Contract via email for your review and approval. Once approved the Contract via return email, and we have your payment in hand or are notified it is in the mail to Joda Collins Driving Academy, 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton, FL 32583, we will contact you for scheduling.
14. PAYMENT
(1). Payment with money order or cashier's check: If you find the proposed Contract (that you will receive after you approve your personalized Contract) acceptable, and you are paying at least $100 reservation fee plus the door-to-door fee in the form of money order or cashier's check to:
Joda Collins Driving Academy
4033 Buttonbush Dr.
Milton, FL 32583
(a). Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT mail cash. Be sure to keep your money order or cashier's check proof of purchase in case you need a refund. We will not assume any responsibility for anything lost in the mail. While we have never had anything lost in the mail in our 14-years of business, there is always that possibility.
(2). Payment with YOUR Visa or MasterCard Credit Card (no debit cards accepted). If you are paying at least $100 and your door-to-door fee (if using door-to-door service) with your personal or business Visa or MasterCard Credit card, please provide to us the following:
(1). Name on card exactly as it appears.
(2). Credit Card Number.
(3). Expiration Date.
(4). Three digit security code on back of card.
(5). Complete mailing address including zip code where the billing for this card is mailed.
(6). If payment is being made with someone else's Visa or MasterCard Credit card (no debit cards accepted) we can only accept the Credit Card from the person whose name appears on the Credit Card and we will need that person's driver license number of Florida State ID number for verification of ownership of the credit card.
(3). Your payment (of $100 or more) is tacit (enough) approval (for now) of this Contract, but at a later date we do require a signed paper contract also. We might mail it to you or Mr. Collins might have it with him for your meeting with him for signing. You will get a copy for your records. Our mailing address is Joda Collins Driving Academy, 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton, FL 32583. This is NOT our business address.
(4). If you are concerned about security feel free to send us some of the credit card info via email (JodaCollins@aol.com) and/or some by telephone (including voice mail to 850 981-3355), and/or some by US Postal Service to (Joda Collins Driving Academy, 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton, FL 32583).
15. SCHEDULING A. After you receive our emailed personized Contract proposal to you as noted in #14 above and after you make your financial investment (payment), only the Client (the financially responsible person) can schedule, cancel (or reschedule) and only by email by going to www.jodacollins.com , Available Dates and Times and select any time in purple or green print along with the corresponding date. B. Email us that request and we will check to be sure is still available and, if so, confirm. Please do not schedule by telephone or voice mail. We have excellent reasons for this and will gladly share them upon request.
ATTACHMENT TWO
This is NOT Attachment One. Attachment One precedes Contract Seven above.
1. STUDENT DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY
A. Wear tight fitting shoes such as tennis shoes or dress shows and not crocks, sandals, boots, slippers, or flip flops.
B. Be clean and were clean clothing. My car has cloth interior and absorbs odors.
C. Do not wear anything that will snag cloth seats.
D. Have your permit or license with you.
E. Carefully read every email I send.
2. CONFLICT/CONFUSION RESOLUTION
A. If you are ever unhappy with me, my staff or our service, please let us know and give us a chance to resolve your concern(s) before you share your negative opinion with anyone else. So far, with one exception, we have been able to resolve every concern of every person who gave us a chance to do so. This excludes people who got mad at Mr. Collins for not allowing them to drive during the training in a dangerous manner without correction. The best way to be sure we have a good working relationship is to read this Contract carefully, only sign it if you agree and only agree if you can honor this Contract with a mature attitude if you fail to meet your obligations. We will cheerfully honor our part of this Contract. Thank you for giving us the same consideration.
B. We communicate by email, telephone or US Postal Service. We do NOT communicate by text message; if you want know why, just ask. We confirm with a follow-up email all telephone call conversation details that address and/or deal with service or funds.
C. We require those we do business with to read emails from us within 24-hours of being sent (once a day). We hold you accountable to read your emails at least once every 24- hours. However, if you do not do that or can not do that, let us know and we will do all of the important things via US Postal Service which is better than verbal only, but the US Postal System is slower communication. If you do not opt out of email communication for US Postal System communication, please do not become upset with us if you fail to read your emails at least once every 24-hours and that lack of awareness causes you difficulties. One of the hallmarks of adulthood is accepting responsibility for one's actions or lack of same. Thank you!
D. Anything in a email is considered null and void (in error) if it is in contradiction to the content of this Contact.
3. WE PREFER EMAIL COMMUNICATION RATHER THAN TELEPHONE OR FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATION ABOUT FACTS, FIGURES AND SERVICE for reasons we will be happy to clarify upon request. However, if your strongly preferred method of communication is the telephone, we welcome your call to 850 981-3355. We will NOT initiate a telephone call when an email will suffice. We will not return a telephone call if a return contact by email will, in our opinion, suffice. This provides a mutually protective record of communication and rids everyone of depending on, "But, you said...." or "But I said...." comments. To the best of our ability each email from us deals with only once subject so the subject line become a quick reference section of important facts and figures.
4. ADDITIONAL INFO
1. We have an A+ Rating with the BBB. We work hard to keep that rating. If you have any concerns, let us know so we can resolve them in your favor if at all possible. Since about 90% of the strained relationships between us and those we serve emanated from clients and/or student-drivers not reading the Contract before signing it and then becoming upset with us when we hold them accountable to the Contract they approved and signed, all we ask is that you take the time and energy read and understand the Contract before signing it. Questions? Just ask.
2. If you are a client (financially responsible person) or a student-driver under the age of 26, please read online the following brief article before your first lesson: https://ppsimmons.blogspot.com/2019/09/most-people-prior-to-age-25-lack-good.html .
5. PLEASE DO NOT....
A. If we are using my car for training, please do not wear dirty clothing or clean clothing that looks dirty. I do not smell a person on purpose or touch a person's clothing to see if individuals are actually as dirty as they look. The vehicle is a closed small area and smells are trapped. My interior is cloth and absorbs odors. My interior is light in color and shows dirt. Thank you for taking a shower and being clean of body and clothing before the lesson begins. Please do not wear dirty-looking clothing expect me to take your word for it that you clothes only look dirty, but they are really clean.
B. Please do not wear flip flops, crocs, sandals, boots, high heal shoes or slippers. Rather, wear tight fitting shoes such as tennis shoes or dress shoes.
C. Please do not eat, drink, smoke, chew or suck during the driver's training. If you want know why, just ask or go to:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/joda-collins/selective-soft-sound-syndrome/paperback/product-18785296.html . If you want to do any of these things, let me know and we can stop for a few minutes while you do these things. However, water in a container with a screw on lid is permitted in the vehicle. Just do not drink and drive.
D. Please do not reach into the back seat from the front seat. Access the back seat from the outside of the vehicle via the back seat passenger door.
E. Please do not answer yes or no questions with long answers. For example, if I ask you if you see the red light, do not answer by telling me what a red light means, just say yes or say no.
F. Please do not slap my vehicle controls. Treat them gently.
G. If I am standing at your door when you get into the vehicle please do not close the door. Allow me to close the door. When I am sure you are not a door slammer, I will feel better having you close my car doors.
F. Please do not complain to others about me or my business policies without giving me a chance to make amends, make changes in an effort to make you happy. I do my best, but I am not perfect. G. I (Joda Collins) do not expect you to memorize the above things. I do, however, expect people to be gracious to me if I graciously remind then of these rules. We live in an increasingly rude and hateful world of which I desire no participation in it or of it.
6. CONTRACT FACTS A. Whenever I (Joda Collins) have any questions about money or service that are asked and responded to verbally, I try to always back that verbal conversation up with contract specifics just to be sure there is a meeting of the minds. I do not have nor honor any verbal agreements. Verbal agreements are anything about service of money that can logically be included in this sentence, "But, you said..................." or "But, I said................." that can be uttered as a challenge (sincere or otherwise) to my written Contract(s). It is easy to make a mistake verbally. No one, including me, says one-hundred percent of all words perfectly. No one, including me, hears 100% of all words perfectly. So I attempt to back up verbal conversation about money or service with Contract realities just to be sure we have a meeting of the minds. B. According to many public records, more than 50% of Americans age 16 and above today have a reading comprehension/retention level of 2nd graders (7 to 8 years old), about 25% of American age 16 and above have a reading comprehension/retention level of between the third grade and seventh grade level (ages 8 to 12), and about 25% read at a 9th or higher grade level (age 14 or above). This poses a problem for me. I had all of my Contracts edited by professional contract writers with the goal of simplification for ease of reading and comprehension. According to experts, this is done by using no more than two-syllable words whenever possible or when doing so does not extend the reasonable length of the contract, only using simple sentences (one subject and one verb per sentence), and never the word "and" or the word "or". C. Over the years, I have invested slightly in excess of $2,200 in such professional contract authors. It is amazingly difficult to write a legal document at a 2nd grade (age 8) reading level so that the average reader can comprehend it easily. I have been informed by every professional contract writer that because of my many benefits given and the stipulations necessary for guarding my business against the abuse of my generosity, it is impossible to write my Contracts below a 9th or 10th grade reading comprehension/retention level and keep them short enough not to overwhelm with words. I opted to keep the client benefits and do my best to patiently clarify questions along the way. That is why the vast majority of my email end with, "Questions? Just ask via email.'
D. I am all about openness, transparency, cooperation, reasonable compromise and client/customer service. I hate small print or blatant attempts in contracts designed to take advantage of others; I do not and will not do that to others. Questions? Just ask.
7. FREE THINGS AVAILABLE TO YOU UPON REQUEST IF.... All value statements are approximate/average and related to the speed of learning (learning more and becoming safer with less paid training/more for your money) rather than the value being a cash discount). Free things are not automatic, but must be requested by the Client.
A. Safe lane change training (an approximate $30 value).
B. Workbook Training (a value of $30 to $70 per lesson depending on the student-driver's reading comprehension/retention ability and level of interest/dedication to task).
C. Written (email) Progress Report after each lesson (a $15 per value per lesson).
D. A brief verbal report following any and/or every lesson if the Client will meet me at my vehicle immediately upon my return. I am almost exactly on time which makes it easy to plan the brief (one-minute or less) verbal report. I will not, however, wait at my car for you or come to your door and knock and wait for you unless you are willing to take that delay from the drivers training time. I have to protect my time and give myself the time I need to get to my next appointment. I am, however, glad to donate a minute of my time to give a brief report immediately after the lesson at my car side. The report will probably mirror, in summary, the after lesson written report (another optional FREE benefit for the asking). The time it takes me to move from the passengers side to the drivers side is your time to walk to my vehicle. If I see you on your way, do not rush or run; take your time, I will wait. (A $2 value.)
E. Three-point turn training (a $100 value).
F. Email correspondence for life (a varied value depending on use).
SECTION (CONTRACT) EIGHT
ABBREVIATED CONTRACT TUITION
$125 per hour minus 7% if paying in any other from than a Credit Card. $116.25 per hour if paying with cash, money order or check (cashier's, personal or business). A lesson can be any time frame between one hour and 15-minutes (75-minutes) and six-hours per your request.
DOOR TO DOOR CHARGE
$2.42 per round trip mile from very near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Exit 26, Milton, FL 32583, minus 7% if paying in any other from than a Credit Card, plus any toll bridge charges. $2.25 per round trip mile if paying with cash, money order or check (cashier's, personal or business PAYMENT
We do not accept scheduling without pre-payment in full unless otherwise agreed. We do not accept payment for unscheduled lessons. Payment by personal or business check must be in our bank before scheduling.
REFUNDS
All except $30 is refundable if you provide at least a two-hour notice of cancelation.
REBATE
Schedule 2.5 hours of training = $4 rebate
Schedule three hours and 45-minutes of training = $9 rebate
Schedule five hours of training = $16 rebate
Schedule six hours and 15-minutes of training or more = 10% rebate.
Conditions of Rebate
You do not miss, cancel or reschedule any lesson for any reason, including any reasons or reasons that are not your fault or beyond your control.
LIMITED LIABILITY CLAUSES
A. When in the Joda Collins vehicle, you agree not to hold Joda Collins and/or the Joda Collins Driving Academy responsible for any physical, emotional or psychological damage, real or imagined, that occurs during training relative to but not limited to any steering, braking or acceleration that is not associated with a crash and said crash must incur, at least, $100 property/vehicle damage regardless of who is driving or who is steering, braking or accelerating. When, in a client’s vehicle, the vehicle owner assumes all liability including all liability that is over and above car owner's maximum insurance limit.
B. I (Joda Collins) prefer to use your insured vehicle for parking and three-point turn training. If you want to know why, just ask. I prefer to use my car for all other (over-the-road) training. If you want to know why, just ask.
C. If you (Client/Student-driver) use your own car any liability claims exceeding your maximum insurance limit can be taken from the owner's current estate and future earnings by the action of the court or courts. This is not my law. This is THE law.
D. If you would not ride in roller coaster, do not ride or be in a driver's training vehicle and/or during driver's training; in both cases (roller coaster and during training) you are taking an assumed risk at your own risk.
E. If you (the Client) do not get an email reminder of your driving session between 12:01am and 8:30pm the day before your driving appointment EVEN IF YOU RECEIVED A REMINDER OR CONFIRMATION EARLIER, there may be a scheduling problem. Please call 850 981-3355 or email jodacollins@aol.com to discover if there is problem. If you do not contact us by email or phone at least two-hours before the scheduled lesson we will not assume responsibility, financial or otherwise, for that missed lesson. This need covers a glitch/weakness in our scheduling system that we cannot get rid of without your assistance. We place this burden on you because we have to. If you want to know why, just ask. This is so important we place this requirement twice in this Contract.
CONTRACT We do not provide service, including scheduling service, without an agreed on Contract. Putting money in the mail to us is tacit approval of the Contract. We will make a arrangements to secure a signed paper of this Contract at a later date.
PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFO BY RETURN EMAIL BEFORE SCHEDULING
A. What is the Client's (financially responsible person's) name?
B. What is the Student-driver's name?
C. What is the Student-driver's permit or driver license number?
D. If you like a quote for door-to-door service, what is the start/end address for training?
E. Please state/write to the best of your ability, what is/are the driver's training goal/goals?
If you are paying 100% or less of your fees with your personal or business Visa or MasterCard Credit card, please provide to us the following in any manner you want (email, telephone, US Postal Service or a combination of two or all of these options with less than full info in each option):
(1). Name on card exactly as it appears.
(2). Credit Card Number.
(3). Expiration Date.
(4). Three digit security code on back of card.
(5). Complete mailing address including zip code where the billing for this card is mailed.
(6). If payment is being made with someone else's Visa or MasterCard Credit card (no debit cards accepted) we can only accept the Credit Card from the person whose name appears on the Credit Card and we will need that person's driver license number of Florida State ID number for verification of ownership of the credit card.
You do not have to answer the following because of privacy laws, but you will be safer behind the wheel if I know the following info. Do you have any learning disabilities? YES NO
Do you have ADD or AdHd? YES NO
Do you take any prescription medication?
I opt not to answer the immediately above questions. TRUE FALSE.
SCHEDULING After you provide the info asked for in this email and put money (no cash) in the mail to us or pay with a Visa or Mastercard Credit card (no debit cards accepted) you (the financially responsible person ONLY) can schedule. We only accept scheduling via email request. See www.JodaCollins.com , Available Times and Dates Section for scheduling details. Only the financially responsible person can schedule, cancel or reschedule appointments/lessons.
FREE If you want FREE training on how to change lanes safely, FREE training on how to do the three-point turn, FREE training on how to park, FREE written work you can read between lessons to help you learn more and faster, just ask.
SECTION (CONTRACT) NINE SERVICE CONTRACT FOR EMBRACE FAMILIES Nov 3, 2022
1. On April 9, 2022 our Attorney suggested the following things:
A. Be sure the Embrace Families Representative understands and accepts the benefits and responsibilities of this document before any money exchanges hands and before any service is scheduled or promised.
B. Have a Contract Summary just before the Signature section of the Contract to put the most important responsibilities of the client and driver.
C. We have all of student-drivers and their adult care-giver sign a paper copy of this Contract before we provide service. His reason for that is, "Things have changed in recent years. It is estimated that 85% of all persons who agree to contracts that appear on line only, either do not read them or do not read them well enough to understand their responsibilities and liabilities. This opens the door for future problems that could have and should have been easily avoided if the paper copies were signed. Approximately 90% of all signers read carefully contracts of three pages or less before signing. In our efforts to foster the best working relationship between us and those we serve, beginning January 1, 2022 we are adopting our Attorneys recommendation and requiring a signed paper copy of all Contracts for agencies and agencies representatives at the higher levels (for Embrace Families that would be all persons residing outside of our service area of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties), and beginning November 18, 2021 we are requiring a signed Contract with all persons we serve that reside within our service area (Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties). Thank you for your assistance in this matter
2.EMBRACE/KEYS AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY
A. FINANCES: All fees are charged to / paid by Embrace Families.
(1). $720 for six-hours of training. (Does not include door-to-door charge.)
(a). ADMINISTRATION EXPENSE: Within the $720 noted above, there is a $32 scheduling & reservation fee for one scheduled day/time and a $24 charge for admin expense for one scheduled day/time. When more than one lesson is provided, add $32 and $24 ($56) per additional appointment (starting with lesson two). We serve several agencies as well as individuals. We charge the same fee for everyone and every agency. No agency receives our service for less or more than any other agency or individual. However, no other agency has this $24 admin fee because there are additional admin responsibilities we incur when serving Embrace Families. This $24 covers only a portion of that added expense to us. For clarification of the additional admin efforts, just ask via email. In addition, there are many factors in our service to Embrace Families clients/customers that are significantly different from any individual or other agency we serve which makes calculation comparisons like apples to oranges, so we have done our best to keep these charges as close to our charges for everyone else.
2. PAYMENT: We accept money order, cashier's check, business check and Visa and MasterCard Credit cards (no debit cards accepted). We understand that payment is always in the form of a Visa or MasterCard CREDIT Card (no debit cards accepted). Reduce the total due by 7% if paying by any other method than credit card (Visa or MasterCard). No debit cards accepted.
3. DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE: Door-to-door service is $2.15 per round trip mile from our office located at 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton, FL 32583 plus reimbursement for toll charges. (Does not include tuition charge.)
(a). We understand that door-to-door pick up service is always requested. If door to door is NOT requested, our start location is in Milton, FL. Please contact us for the start location address.
(b). If Mr. Collins provides door-to-door service and the student is not there or for whatever reason or reasons, including acts of God against the student-driver (otherwise known as "not my fault" or "unavoidable"), does not take the training at the scheduled time, Embrace Families incurs 100% of the charge for the door-to-door service and to reschedule another door-to-door service fee is charged; however, Mr. Collins will continue to incur the loss of six-hours of scheduled time and the financial expense of scheduling the appointment and reserving our vehicle for the absent driver. If there is at least a two-hour notice of cancellation, there will be no door-to-door charge.
(c). If the student driver is not present to take the lesson when Mr. Collins showed up as scheduled (regardless of the reason), or for whatever reason did not take the training when Mr. Collins showed up as scheduled, the charge is the door-to-door fee (if any), the $32 scheduling fee and the $24 admin fee. Mr. Collins will incur the expense of scheduling and the loss of six hours of training time.
(d). If the student-driver quits early or if Mr. Collins quits early, the actual charge will be the $32 scheduling / reservation fee, the Admin expense of $24 and a pro-rated per minute charge of (six hours = 360 minutes divided by $664 = ) $1.84 per minute.
(e). DISCLAIMER: To guarantee no door-to-door service and no door-to-door charge a minimum two-hour notice is required; if you want to know why, just ask
3. NOTICE/REMINDER OF LESSON DATE/TIME. If the Student-driver or Care-giver does not get a phone call or email one or two days in advance reminding the Care-giver of the appointment there IS a scheduling problem/mistake/oversight. Please all 850 981-3355 24/7 (do not email) to resolved the confusion / mistake / problem / oversight. If the Care-giver does not get a phone call or email one or two days in advance reminding the Care-giver of the appointment there IS a scheduling problem/mistake/oversight. I (Joda Collins) will NOT assume any responsibility, financial, ethically or otherwise for that missed lesson. Thank you.
4. SCHEDULING
A. Training is Tuesday through Friday Only, 10am to 4pm start time.
B. We (the Joda Collins Driving Academy) accepts scheduling requests ONLY from the adult care-giver of the student-driver regardless of __________ (fill in the blank with anything); however, if the student-driver is self-sustaining (has no legal care-giver) we will accept a scheduling request from the student-driver. We will contact you for scheduling when we receive your signed Contract in the mail. To validate a student-driver's self-sustaining status in life (it that is a reality), please provide a copy of a rent or house payment receipt or a utility bill (photo copy is acceptable, or mail it to 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton, FL 32583). If you want to know the reason for this, just ask.
C. We accept scheduling date/time requests by email or US Postal System (paper request). We will NOT schedule training date(s) or time(s) on the telephone. If you want to know why, just ask via email or US Postal System (letter).
D. Unless otherwise approved by us, we must have a signed paper copy of this Contact in our hands from the Caregiver and Student-driver (if not the same person) before we schedule any driving/training session. When we get it, we will contact the Caregiver or self-sustaining student driver for scheduling.
E. If there is a National Weather Advisory in effect for Santa Rosa Okaloosa or Escambia County, the Joda Collins Driving Acdy will cancel the driving lesson with no additional charges and no loss of funds to Keys/Embrace or the Care-giving agency. A local forecast of scary weather is NOT a National Weather Advisory.
F. All six hours of training must be provided in one lesson unless other arrangements are made. Other arrangements will include an additional financial commitment of $32 (Scheduling and Reservation Fee) per appointment starting with the second appointment plus an additional door-to-door fee per appointment starting with the second appointment.
(1). Said additional fees can be paid by Embrace Families or the caregiver of the student-driver. That decision is between Embrace Families and the student caregiver and has nothing to do with the Joda Collins Driving Academy. However, the Joda Collins Driving Academy must be informed who is paying for these additional fee BEFORE scheduling can occur and if the additional fees are paid by the student-driver's caregiver or student-driver if self-sustaining, said fees must be paid in advance are are non-refundable under any conditions unrelated to a National Weather Advisory noted to occur in Escambia, Okaloosa, or Santa Rosa area within 24-hour before or 24-hours after the scheduled lesson and are non-transferable to any other lesson under and any all circumstances unless the Joda Collins Driving Academy cancels, reschedules or misses the lesson. The Joda Collins Driving Academy does and will cancel the lesson if there is a National Weather Advisory noted to occur in Okaloosa, Escambia or Santa Rosa area within a 24-hour period before or a 24-hour period after the scheduled lesson. Note: A scary forecast of wind and rain is not a National Weather Advisory.
G. The Joda Collins Driving Academy does NOT make our vehicle available for a driver's personal use including but not limited to allowing student-driver to use our vehicle to take the State Driving Exam.
H. If you (the Client) do not get an email reminder of your driving session between 12:01am and 8:30pm the day before your driving appointment EVEN IF YOU RECEIVED A REMINDER OR CONFIRMATION EARLIER, there may be a scheduling problem. Please call 850 981-3355 or email jodacollins@aol.com to discover if there is problem. If you do not contact us by email or phone at least two hours before the scheduled lesson we will not assume responsibility, financial or otherwise, for that missed lesson. This need coves a glitch/weakness in our scheduling system that we cannot get rid of without your assistance. We place this burden on you because we have to. If you want to know why, just ask.11. I. Removed. J. SCHEDULING FEE
(1). No charge. There is no Scheduling Fee if you schedule using our online Calendar / List of Available times and in accord with the directions found there.
(2). If you schedule by telephone use (with a live person or via voice mail), there is a $10 charge per event (per phone call for scheduling). If you want to know why, just a
5. ROAD TEST: We do A(1) and A(2). We cannot do A(3) and/or A(4).
A. Road Test means different things in different areas of Florida. It can mean a driving school:
(1). Tests the driver's skill level in traffic and advise Client. We do this.
(2). Attempts to train the driver to pass the State Driving Exam for his or her driver license and/or train driver to be a safer/more responsible driver. We do this only if requested in writing (paper or email); if you want to know why, just ask.
(3). Provide the State Driving Exam and if the student passes recommend to the local driver license office that the driver be granted his or her driver license. We cannot do this.
(4). We provide the State Driving Exam and if the student passes provide State Driver License. We cannot do this
6. CONTRACT APPROVAL/ACCEPTANCE
A. We (Joda Collins) will mail you via US Postal Service two copies of this Contract; one for your records and one for ours. Please sign either copy and mail it back to us in the self-address envelope we will provide. We will contact you for scheduling when we receive your signed Contract. It is estimated that approximately 15% of all people who approve/sign Contracts electronically never read or only casually read the Contract. We have found this true in our business and that has caused a great deal of difficulties. It is estimated that approximately 85% of those who sign a paper copy of this length give a good effort to carefully read a Contract before signing. To best avoid confusion and misunderstandings before we provide service this Contract must be approved in advance of service provided and we (the Joda Collins Driving Academy) must have a signed copy of this Contract in our physical possession from:
(1). A representative of Embrace Families with a signing date that is within three-years of any service provided. Said representative is not personally liable for anything but has the authority of Embrace Families to incur financial debt on behalf of Embrace Families.
(2). The Student-driver under the age of 18 and who has a caregiver, even though there is no enforceable provision in this document for that Student-driver. If you want to know why said signature is required, just ask.
B. No one says everything perfectly and no one hears everything perfectly, therefore, we do not have any verbal agreements, EVER! We will not hold you hostage to or be held hostage by anything that follows, "But you said...." If it is not in writing and signed by or accepted via email notification all relevant parties, it was never said by you or us. Protect yourself. Get it in writing. We do. We do not and we will not discuss contractual issues verbally for good reasons we will share upon request.
C. We do not engage in or participate in three-way or more way conversations by phone or email for very good reasons which we will cheerfully clarify upon request.
D. Nothing in any email that is in opposition to this Contract is valid. It is easy to make a typing, expression, or statement mistake in an email. To change anything in this Contract requires a dated a signed by all parties paper copy of an Attachment. Questions? Just ask!
E. Anyone who signs or approves this Contact reserves the right to terminate this Contract, in writing (email okay) at any time and for any reason as long as a notice via email or telephone or no less than two-hour is provided. If a notice of less than two-hour is provided all services already provided are due.
F. Alterations to this Contact, in writing and signed, can be made by mutual agreement with any person the alteration effects as long as said person has the legal right to approve the change.
G. The only course (commitment / training) asked for by Embrace Families is the "Time Only." Parking and three-point turn (needed to pass the State driving exam) are not provided unless requested in writing (email is acceptable) at least 24-hours in advance; there are really good reasons for this that we will gladly share upon request. If parking and/or the three point turn is requested and taught with the driver behind-the-wheel, they must be taught in a private insured vehicle with the owner's written permission and NOT in the Joda Collins Driving Academy Vehicle. If parking and/or three-point turn is requested and taught by show and tell only with Mr. Collins behind-the-wheel, the Joda Collins Driving Academy can be used for parking and three-point turn training. We are happy to share the reasons for this limitation/stipulation if requested. Not reading this Contract is insufficient reason to hold Mr. Collins responsible for the Caregiver's or the Client's responsibility to ask for parking and three-point turn training if said training is desired.
H. The Joda Collins Driving Academy does not make our vehicle available for the Student-driver's personal use, including but not limited to using our vehicle for taking the State driving exam. There are good reasons for this which we will share upon request.
I. Removed.
J. If you struggle to understand this Contact you can.
(1). Email jodacollins@aol.com and get as much clarification as you need or desire at no charge.
(2). If you attempt (1) above and still have unanswered questions, you can secure a charge amount from your attorney for your attorney to clarify the details of this Contract to you; if the charge is reasonable, pre-approved in writing and signed by Mr. Collins, we will pay that expense.
K. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone with or without explanation
7. WE MUST HAVE SIGNED CONTRACT IN HAND BEFORE SCHEDULING. Signing and returning a paper copy of this Contract before any service is provided, including scheduling service. When we receive your signed copy of this Contract we will contact you for scheduling. 11. ATTACHMENT ONE and Two are a part of this Contract.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
SECTION (CONTRACT) TEN
SERVICE CONTRACT BETWEEN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND
THE JODA COLLINS DRIVING ACADEMY.
Minor edit May 9, 2022. No facts or figures changes. Edited for easier reading.
We recommend to all a careful review of this Contract annually. Due to the economic crisis in our Country (excessive inflation) we have two choice. We can increase our per lesson charge or do less for free; we opt for doing less for free. Per lesson charges have not changed since September 2010; however, some services we said (by contract) we often did not charge are now routinely charged. Per lesson charges remain unchanged. The contracted charges remain unchanged.
This Contract / Service Agreement is complicated but I do not know how to make it simpler without deleting important information. If you do, let us know. This Contract is not written in stone. If you want to change it, add to it or delete something, just let us know. We are less concerned that this Contract remain unchanged and mostly concerned that all we serve have a meeting of the minds with us so we can avoid unnecessary disruption and disheartening results that often result from assuming or confusing wording. The only things I cannot do are to serve for less money or do more for free. If you find the following steps overwhelming, let me know by email and we will direct you through the process via email one step at a time.
1. The following, if acceptable, needs to be printed in the VR Services Authorization and Billing Notice "Comment Section" and/or the "Service to be Provided" Section as a prerequisite to service for tuition.
"Five (5) weekday 90-minute driving lessons @ $168 per lesson ($840 total) minus any discount or rebate as clarified in Contact Ten at www.JodaCollins.com , Agreement page, Section Four.
or
"Five (5) weekday and/or Saturday driving lessons @ $174 per lesson ($870 total) minus any discount or rebate as clarified in Contact Ten at www.JodaCollins.com , Agreement page, Section Four.
(VR charges will be reduced by $6 per lesson that is taken on a weekday if the $870 fee is selected.)
OPTIONAL DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE
For clarification and ease, a separate Authorization is requested for door-to-door fees if door-to-door service is desired and paid for by the Vocational Rehabilitation. Door-to-door charge is $2.25 per round trip mile (up from $2) plus any toll fees, beginning with all contracts approved starting January 15, 2023. Provide us with the pick-up address if door-to-door services is wanted and we will tell you the fee. (This increase is not related to gas prices, but because Milton and Pensacola roads have become must more congested and drivers much more aggressive. Because of that I have increased my liability coverage considerably which has added a lot to my vehicle insurance costs which have to be paid by the per mile use of my vehicle. Only a portion of the additional insurance charge increase is covered by the 25 cents per mile increase for the door charge.) Without door-to-door service all lessons begin and end very near the intersection of Interstate 10 at Exit 26, Milton, the specifies of which are clarified with the Student-driver and he VR Client/Customer.
Sending us the Authorization is the same thing as approving this Service Contract/Agreement because we ask you not to send an Authorization because the Authorization states the service and the charges by reference to this Contract. If you want to change, add or subtract anything in this Service Agreement, just ask. The only things I cannot do are to serve for less money or do more for free.
2. State law requires the Joda Collins Driving Academy to have a contract and/or service agreement with everyone we serve and everyone with standing. We are required to have a separate contract/service agreement with the VR Customer/Client; that Contact/Service Agreement is found at www.JodaCollins.com , Agreement Page, Section Eleven. While that Contract/Service Agreement does not have to be approved by the VR, we (the Joda Collins Driving Acdy) welcome any input from the VR about said Contract/Service Agreement. Also, being aware of that Contract will better prepare VR Reps for possible inquires from VR Clients/Customers. If you (the VR Rep) wants anything changed, added or removed from this or that Contract, let us know and we will seriously and sincerely consider your request. The VR is our Client and we want to please you.
4. FINANCES
A. OVERALL RULE FOR FINANCES: My (Joda Collins) contracts or all agencies and individuals are about the same. No person or agency gets more special treatment, lower or higher charges, or more or fewer benefits. However, minor differences in contractual arrangements exist because I try to work my Contract around what my Client likes best. Every agency has their own preferences and requirements and different mandatory or requested services between individuals and agencies exist. Some agencies require more admin effort which is reflected in some additional expense for that additional service.
I do not give discount service nor get a discount on anything I need to provide my service, so I do not give discounts. I do provided refunds, rebates or reduced charges as clarified in this document that are linked to those I serve functioning in manners that reduce my administration expenses.
B. PER LESSON CHARGE $168 or $174 per 90-minute lesson depending if lesson is on a weekday or a Saturday. Weekday lessons that are charged at $174 will receive a $6 reduced charge per weekday lesson at the end of the VR Authorization period.
C. SAVE MONEY
(1). I do not give discounts because I do not get a discount on any expense I incur to provide my service and I do not give sub-quality (discount) service. When a VR Client/Customer does something that saves me money, I pass some, most, all or more of that savings on to the VR in the form of a lower final charge.
(2). We do not enter into Authorizations with the VR for more than five lessons per VR Authorization.
(a). If less than all of the Authorized lessons are scheduled with one email and all are kept, that is no lesson is missed, canceled or rescheduled, there is a price reduction of:
(1). Zero dollars for one lesson scheduled with one email and that lesson not missed, canceled or rescheduled.
(2). $4.80 total for two weekday lessons scheduled with one email and neither lesson nor any Saturday lesson is missed canceled or rescheduled.
(3). $10.80 total for three weekday lessons scheduled with one email and none of the three lessons nor any Saturday lesson are missed, canceled or rescheduled.
(4). $19.40 total for four weekday lessons scheduled with one email and none of those four lessons nor any Saturday lesson is missed, canceled or rescheduled.
(5). $84 total for five weekday lessons scheduled with one email and none of those five lessons nor any Saturday lesson is missed, canceled or rescheduled; $19.40 if only one of five schedulings is missed, canceled or rescheduled or $10.80 if only two of five schedulings are missed, canceled or rescheduled. (The content underlined immediately above in Section C(2)(a)(1) through (5) was added on 11/21/2022 and becomes effective January 1, 2023. These changes pose both a decrease in rebate to the VR and an increase in rebate for the VR, with a greater chance of an overall financial benefit/increased rebate to the VR.)
DISCLAIMER: All of the above missed, canceled or rescheduled lesson carry the following condition/understanding/consideration: The missed, canceled or reschedule lesson is for any reason, including reasons that are not the fault (otherwise know as "unavoidable" or "an Act of God) of the VR Client/Customer or Student-drive) other than the existence of a National Weather Advisory that predicts adverse weather present in Escambia or Santa Rosa Counties within three-hours of the lesson start time. A scary forecast of wind and rain or a fear of wind and rain is not a National Weather Advisory. If we allowed missed lessons for no financial remuneration to us for that expense, on the condition that the person testify that the missed lesson was 100% their fault and completely avoidable, that open door would probably guarantee we would never be compensated for our added admin expenses for missed lessons.
E. DOOR-TO-DOOR CHARGE:
For 2022, the door-to-door service remains at $2 per round trip mile plus any tolls from 4033 Buttonbush Drive, Milton, FL 32583. This fee is refundable and/or transferable to any other lesson ONLY if the lesson is missed, cancelled or rescheduled with at least a two-hour notice or if I have did not already leave for the lesson appointment. Door-to-door charge is $2.25 per round trip mile (up from $2) plus any toll fees, beginning with all contracts approved starting January 1, 2023. All other agencies and individuals incurred this 25 cents per mile increased charge in September 2022.
F. JODA COLLINS' RECOMMENDATION: If I (Joda Collins) think a driver is not trying or has reached his or her maximum learning potential at this stage in the drivers life/experience, I suggest the VR stop paying for training
5. TRAINING GOALS: Unless otherwise stipulated in writing by the VR in the Comments section of the VR Services Authorization and Billing Notice, Student-driver is to be trained to be as skilled and safe a driver as possible, funds permitting, at this time in his or her life. However, training starts with learning how to pass the State Driving Exam if the Student-driver does not have a driver license. Parking and three-point turn is taught as soon as the driver has basic control of the vehicle.
6. CONTRACTS
A. AVOIDING UNNECESSARY CONFUSION AND CONFRONTATION AND HONORING PRIVACY LAWS: We will not communicate with third parties with vested interests and/or respond to their communication efforts with us for reasons we will clarity upon request. We will not assume any responsibility for any anger or irritation experienced by anyone that refuses to honor this requirement. The VR Client/Customer or the VR do such communication at their discretion.
D. VERIFICATION: Every VR Representative that does business with, is part of or oversees business with the Joda Collins Driving Academy should reproduce this Service Agreement/Contract, Section Ten, and the Service Agreement/Contract, Section Eleven, to insure content relative to facts and figures does not change on this web site without VR approval.
E. CONTRACT TERMINATION: This Service Agreement/Contract is subject to change at any time by mutual agreement. Any party can end this Contractual Agreement with or without notice or with or without reason.
G. CONTRACT REVIEW: We do ask VR Representatives to review this Contract before sending us their first client/customer and every year thereafter between January 1 of that year and producing the first Authorization for that year. This avoids confusion, misunderstandings and errant assumptions that cause, otherwise, easily avoidable difficulties.
H. A SEPARATE CONTACT WITH VR CLIENTS/CUSTOMERS: By State law we are not allowed to provide service without a Service Contact/Agreement with those we serve including the VR Client and any third party with vested interest (such as a parent, spouse, or guardian). That Contract can be seen at www.JodaCollins.com, Agreement Page, Section Eleven. Among other requirements said Contact does have financial commitment components. VR Representatives have the legal authority granted to them by the VR to approve said Service Contract/Agreement. Any business we do for a VR client/customer is provided with the understanding that the VR Representative requesting said service has a read and approves of the Contract we have with VR clients/customers and his or her representative (if any). If this is not the case (reality) please advise us immediately.
I. If after a careful reading of this Contract and an attempt to allow us to clear up any confusion, you determine this Contract is whole or in part is too difficult to understand, let us know what your Attorney will charge to explain it to and we will consider making arrangements to pay him or her for that service to you.
7. SCHEDULING
A. We schedule no more than five lessons in advance and in increments of five lessons at a time or less (as deemed appropriate by the Joda Collins Driving Acdy and/or approved by the VR). VR Clients can schedule any lesson date and time except for Saturday mornings. Caution: Please be aware of the contractual obligations and/or limitations that apply when scheduling:
(1). Includes or is on a Saturday.
(2). If less than all VR approved lessons are scheduled with more than one email request.
(3). When a lesson is missed, rescheduled or cancelled.
B. Beyond a written request for Clients to schedule, we do not make phone calls to schedule for several reasons.
(1). We have discovered if we make phone calls to schedule, we often put the Client in a position where he or she is scheduling blindly because he or she has not had or taken the time to carefully consider future commitments. This leads to multiple rescheduling preceded by the statement, "I forgot about another commitment we had on X day when I scheduled the driver's training, so I will have to reschedule." Each rescheduling cost me added administration expense, loss of scheduling time, puts others we could have served earlier further down the scheduling calendar causing us to delaying their training or causes us to lose business if clients or student drivers (such as the military) will not be in this area later for training.
(2). The irritation factor for rescheduling is a consideration.
(3). Rescheduling does incur a slight increase in fees to the VR ($17 per lesson) and a $13 expense to the Client. These are charges we prefer to avoid as they are distasteful to the VR and to Clients, and said charges do not cover all of our expense for a rescheduling.
(4). When we initiate the telephone call to schedule five lessons, the conversation usually goes much like this, "Yes, let's schedule X date and time, however, I am not sure if that is an after school activity day (a work day or whatever) but I will let you know (or you can contact us to confirm)" and such as that. Lessons become "tentative" based on investigation, thus rescheduling is the norm for many of those tentatively scheduled lessons. That kind of conversation is expensive for us as we now have to wait for confirmation and / or invest a lot of time and energy in remembering and making multiple calls to confirm. When we forget to call to confirm, that puts all the pressure and responsibility on us and frees the client from any responsibility, accountability or involvement for their own schedule.
(5). Usually, when we make the phone call to schedule, the Client and / or Student-driver has not read the Contract and / or does of two things.
(a). They state they have read it when they have not and the lack of awareness of the Contract content causes disruption, hard feelings and /or confusion in the future. When we hold clients and / or student-divers responsible for commitments they say they knew about but did not, that always ends poorly. Sometimes clients tell us they are "not responsible to keep their contractual commitments because they really did not read the Contract." That logic baffles me, but unfortunately, that is the kind of world we now live in.
(b). The client and / or Student-driver has not read the Contract and ask us to call back later, which usually leads to multiple calls from us or the situation as noted in A above.
(6). Sometimes, we have to make many phone calls to schedule, in effect, almost begging the a client to schedule. When we have to beg a client to schedule, that usually means we are put in a position to beg the client and / or student driver to show up for every lesson. That is costly and irritating. We offer a high quality, valuable and life-saving service. We do not beg people to let us serve them. Some people, that are not begged to show up for training, simply do not show up and that is bad or everyone, especially us. So, we avoid that negative scenario and such people by allowing those who need to be begged to schedule and begged to show up to simply let our service pass by. We do that by simply not begging such people to schedule.
(7). Some people become too busy to take lessons. Not calling them to schedule allows them a graceful way to bow out of taking lessons.
(8). We are required by law to have a Contract with everyone we serve. Some people after reading the Contract make two decisions. First, they determine they do not like something about the Contract. Second, they make a decision they would rather not take lessons than inquire about altering the Contract to fit their desires (a conversation and an option we would, however, welcome); the client and / or student-driver having made such a decision is allowed to gracefully opt out of training by simply not scheduling.
(9). About one in twenty take offense to being held to a Contract for reasons of their own. They would rather not take driver's training than read a Contract. This is their right and we honor that right. Because they refuse to read and agree to a Contract of any kind and agreeing to a contract is a prerequisite for scheduling, they never contact us to schedule. This allows them and us to gracefully avoid an awkward one-to-one conversation where they aggressively let us know they will not be held to any contractual commitments. Such a statement to us always ends with us wishing them a good day and informing them we will not and cannot serve them.
(10). Everything about us calling unannounced to schedule or reschedule lessons screams it is a poor, ineffective, unprofessional, irritating, awkward and
embarrassing (for all or someone) business practice. That is why we graciously invite clients to schedule but do not pressure or beg them to schedule driver training.
(11). If you (the Client) do not get an email reminder of your driving session between 12:01am and 8:30pm the day before your driving appointment EVEN IF YOU RECEIVED A REMINDER OR CONFIRMATION EARLIER, there may be a scheduling problem. Please call 850 981-3355 or email jodacollins@aol.com to discover if there is problem. If you do not contact us by email or phone at least two hours before the scheduled lesson we will not assume responsibility, financial or otherwise, for that missed lesson. This need coves a glitch/weakness in our scheduling system that we cannot get rid of without your assistance. We place this burden on you because we have to. If you want to know why, just ask.
SECTION (CONTRACT) ELEVEN
SERVICE CONTRACT BETWEEN
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CLIENTS, STUDENT-DRIVERS AND THE JODA COLLINS DRIVING ACADEMY. May 8, 2022 The process is:
Step 1. The person who is financially responsible for all charges for services the VR does not pay for, but are specifically requested by anyone other than than the VR reads and approves our Contract and sends us an email from his or her email address that states,
"I _________ ________, accept the benefits and responsibilities as they apply to me as defined in this
Contract (Contract Eleven). Step 2. The VR Student-driver reads and approves our Contract and sends us an email from his or her email address that states,
"I, _________ _________, accept the benefits and responsibilities as they apply to me as defined in this Contract (Contract Eleven).
Step 3. Anytime after both of those emails are sent, the VR Client/Customer, with no additional prompting from us, goes to www.JodaCollins.com and from our Calendar / List of Available Times, schedules five 1.5-hour lessons via email request.
2. PERSON IDENTIFICATION
First person reference (I, me, we, our, us) is Joda Collins or the Joda Collins Driving Academy. Second person reference (you) is a reference to the VR Client (whoever signed all VR paperwork as the responsible person age 18 or older) and whoever is responsible to us for all charges and fees not covered by the VR and the Student-Driver (which is usually the VR Client).
3. CONTRACT
A. As responsible, honest and mature people, we will honor our contractual commitments to you even when it does not benefit us, and ask that you do the same for us. Otherwise, what value is there in an agreed-on Contract? This is not a novel or a newspaper where a quick reading is sufficient for a good overall general idea of the content. This is a legal document with specific obligations and benefits. This document commits many hours involvement and hundreds of dollars. Read it with a pen in hand and write down, in your own words write down all of the obligations this document, once signed, commits you, the Student-driver and you, the VR Client (financially responsible person) to.
B. Who are the parties to his Service Agreement/Contract?
(1). Everyone that signs this Contract including:
a. The Student-driver.
b. The person who is responsible for charges paid to the Joda Collins Driving Academy that are not covered by the VR. It may be or may not be the Student-driver.
c. Third party with vested interest such as parent, spouse or guardian. This is any person whose has standing (decision-making power or decision-making influence) with or over the Joda Collins Driving Academy. However, under normal circumstances, we do NOT communicate by email, phone or in person about this Contract or the driver's progress with third parties. The VR Client and/or the financially responsible person have our approval to share anything we write with anyone they like.
C. Driving Academy Contractual Commitment (1). Student-driver is to be trained to be as skilled and safe a driver as possible at this time in his or her life, with the funds allotted. (2). However, training starts with learning how to pass the State Driving Exam if the Student-driver does not have a driver license. (3). Parking and three-point turn is taught as soon as the driver has basic control of the vehicle.
C. Student-driver Contractual Commitment:
(1). Student-driver asked to give his or her best attempt to memorize the following before the start of lesson one:
Ahead, Behind, Mirror, Shoulder, Signal,
Ahead, Behind, Mirror, Shoulder, Move.
If student-driver has not memorized the above procedure by the start of lesson one as much time as needed to memorize these steps will be devoted to this task during session one as needed before any additional training is provided.
(2). Student-driver asked to give his or her best attempt to memorize the following before the start of lesson two:
Slow, Right, Look, Signal, Stop.
If student-driver has not memorized the above procedure by the start of lesson one as much time as needed to memorize these steps will be devoted to this task during session one as needed before any additional training is provided.
(3). Student-driver asked to give his or her best attempt to memorize the following before the start of lesson three:
Turn, Look, Coast, Stop, Reverse.
If student-driver has not memorized the above procedure by the start of lesson one as much time as needed to memorize these steps will be devoted to this task during session one as needed before any additional training is provided.
(4). Student-driver asked to give his or her best attempt to memorize the following before the start of lesson four:
Turn, Look, Coast, Stop, Drive.
If student-driver has not memorized the above procedure by the start of lesson one as much time as needed to memorize these steps will be devoted to this task during session one as needed before any additional training is provided.
(5). Student-driver asked to give his or her best attempt to memorize the following before the start of lesson five:
Turn, Look, Accelerate.
If student-driver has not memorized the above procedure by the start of lesson one as much time as needed to memorize these steps will be devoted to this task during session one as needed before any additional training is provided.
(6). Drivers that struggle to memorize the steps on their own time for FREE and need help memorizing the steps, let me know and I will pay one of my secretaries for up to three one-hour sessions to tutor you one-to-one at no charge to you and no charge to the VR. Just ask. (7). If you have any questions about this Contract, please ask via email. If after giving us a reasonable chance to answer your question or questions, if you still do not understand any part of this Contract, let us know how much your attorney would charge you to explain this Contract, in whle or in part to you, and we will consider paying it. We have NO verbal agreements, ever. We do not do business by assumption. Please do not sign or agree to this Contract if you do not understand it and accept all of the benefits and responsibilities in it that apply to you. We will hold ourselves to this Contract. We will hold you to this Contract. (8). Attachment One and Attachment Two as found at www.jodacollins.com , Agreement page are considered part of this Contract. Do NOT agree to this Contract without reading and knowing that agreeing to this Contract is also agreeing with Attachment One and Attachment Two as found at www.jodacollins.com , Agreement page.
4. FINANCES
A. I (Joda Collins) do not give discounts but the VR Clients and Student-drivers can save money for the VR which will allow the VR to serve more people. B. VR Clients/Customers can pay less by honoring the conditions under which additional services that are not contracted by or paid for by the VR not paid by the VR, are charged to the VR Client/Customer
C. CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS FOR ALL SERVICES THE VR WILL NOT PAY FOR....
(1). All quoted prices are non-credit card (Visa/MasterCard) prices and include a 7% discount for all payments in excess of $36.00. If you are paying with Visa or MasterCard, please advise us immediately. If you, the VR Client, stays within the service agreement (your covered benefits) we have in agreement with the VR, there will be no extra charges to pass on to you.
(2). We accept any or all payments by cash (however do not send cash in the mail), money order, check (personal, business or cashier's) and/or credit card (Visa or MasterCard credit card; no debit cards accepted).
(3). If paying with a Visa or MasterCard credit card, please provide to us (by phone, email or US Postal Service. Feel free to send info in various communication methods if you desire to do so:
(a). Your credit card number.
(b). Expiration Date
(c). Name exactly as it appears on the Credit Card. We will not accept someone else's credit card for your debt without a notarized statement they are paying a specific debt for you.
(d). Full mailing address where the billing for that card is mailed.
(e). Three-digit security code as shown on the back of the card.
(4). All quoted prices in this document are non-credit card (Visa/MasterCard) prices and include a 7% discount. If you are paying with Visa or MasterCard, please advise us immediately for a re-quote.
(5). If you, the VR Client, stays within the service agreement we have with the VR, there will be no extra charges to pass on to you.
(6). All payments made with money order or check (personal, business or cashier's) are received by US Postal Service ONLY. Please mail to Joda Collins Driving Academy, 4033 Buttonbush Drive, Milton, FL 32583. This is not our office or business address. It is our mailing address only. Be sure to keep your proof of purchase. While we have never lost anything in the mail nor had anything mailed to us that did not arrive, there is often a first time.
(7). We accept cash payments. Please contact us to make arrangements for cash payments. Do not send cash in the US Postal System
D. VR CLIENT FEES/CHARGES. (1). Prior to the economic crisis in America (runaway inflation, rising costs for employees and rising costs for operating a business) we did not always charge the following expenses; however, since we have only increased our fees by 3% since 2012, the current economic realities force us to begin to charge the agreed (signed) contracted charge where we used to, often, not charge for a service and/or sometimes graciously forgive (overlook) a debt. Thank you for understanding.
(2). Fee for missed lessons belongs to the VR Client/Customer, not the VR.
(a). For every lesson that is missed, canceled or rescheduled with less than a two-hour notice, including lessons missed, canceled or rescheduled that were not your fault (otherwise known as unavoidable or acts of God), there is a re-scheduling fee of $30.00. The VR pays $17 of that fee and the VR Client/Customer pays $13 of that fee and that $13 must be paid in advance of rescheduling. Exception: If there is a NATIONAL adverse weather advisory in effect within three-hours of the driving lesson that predicts adverse weather in Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties or Okaloosa Counties within three-hours of your lesson all Missed Lesson Fees (aka Scheduling/Reservation Fees) are waived for that lesson. Predictions of or fear of rain and wind or a forecast of scary weather is NOT, in and of itself, a National Weather Advisory.
(b). If door-to-door service is provided, if there is less than a one-hour missed lesson notice provided we have not contracted with the VR for them to pay for the door-to-door fee. That door-to-door fee belongs to the VR Client or the person who signs as the financially responsible person and must be paid before any additional service is provided.
(3). Schedule all VR approved lessons with one email or the additional fee of $10 starting with the second scheduling request belongs to the VR Client/Customer, not the VR.
(a). Please schedule all VR approved lessons with one email request. If do so there is no scheduling fee.
(b). If you schedule less than all VR approved lessons with one email request there is a $10 fee per scheduling request beginning with the second request. This fee must be paid in advance of scheduling by the VR Client. Having that payment in the mail is considered paid in advance as long a we actually receive the payment. Our mailing address (not our business address) is:
Joda Collins Driving Academy
4033 Buttonbush Dr.
Milton, FL 32583
We accept money order, cashier's check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard; no debit cards accepted). This fee only covers a portion of our actual expense for the added admin expense for additional scheduling effort on our part. Keep your proof of purchase for your money order or cashier's check as we do not provide free service if an envelope (payment) is lost in the mail. We have never had an envelope lost in the mail, but there could be a first time.
(c). All scheduling dates and times are available to VR drivers except for Saturday mornings.
(4). Schedule from our web site (www.jodacollins.com) and not via phone or voice mail or the additional $10 fee (as clarified below) belongs to the VR Client/Customer, not the VR.
(a). No charge. There is no Scheduling Fee if you schedule using our online Calendar / List of Available times and in accord with the directions found there.
(b). If you schedule by telephone use (with a live person or via voice mail), there is a $10 charge per event (per phone call or voice mail for scheduling). If you want to know why, just ask. We do not ask the VR to pay for this because it is an extra service. We do not collect in advance for it because almost no one opts for this. We bill those who opt for this.
(5). Parking and three point turn training is accomplished in the vehicle the driver will use for his or her State exam. There are good reasons for this that we will cheerfully share upon request. If using the vehicle the Student-driver will use for his or her State exam to do the three point turn and parking training is not possible or unacceptable, please let us know. There is an additional charge of $30 per lesson where the vehicle is used by the Student-driver for parking and three point turn that belongs to the VR Client/Customer, not the VR we will clarify.
5. RIDERS
A. Anyone approved by the vehicle owner (age 12 or older) is allowed to ride in the back seat if the training is accomplished in any vehicle that does not belong to the Joda Collins Driving Acdy.
B. For reasons I will clarify upon request, with very few exceptions I do not allow anyone to ride in the back seat of my car during VR funded training; there are exceptions, but few.
6. SCHEDULING
A. Unless otherwise agreed on and arranged, all scheduling is done by email. See www.JodaCollins.com , Homepage (Welcome) page, SCHEDULING CALENDAR aka AVALILABLE DATES AND TIMES, for additional scheduling directions. VR Clients or the financially responsible person can schedule any lesson date and time except for Saturday mornings
B. Who can schedule lessons? ONLY the individual who is financially responsible for all charges the VR does not pay and/or his/her designated representative that is 18-years of age or older can schedule, cancel or reschedule lessons. Said individual must be designated in writing and said copy signed by all named therein; this is done on the appropriate signature line of the Contract.
(1). Unless otherwise arranged and approved, the start location for lesson one is 3804 Garcon Point Road, Milton, FL 32583. This is a Shell Station/Truck Stop/Circle K Store and Restaurant. I (Joda Collins) will be inside seated alone in the restaurant. My photo is at www.jodacollins.com. If there is any last-minute confusion call my cell at 850 304-1870.
(2). Unless otherwise arranged and approved, the start and end location for lessons TWO and following is 3815 Garcon Point Road, Milton, FL 32583 which is across the street from the start location for lesson one. For lesson two and following Mr. Collins will be in his car, immediately to your left as you enter the only parking lot entrance to this little store.
C. VR approval and paperwork must be in my (Joda Collins) hand and client and driver approval of this Contract has to be received before we provide any driving lesson.
D. You will be notified by email if the VR approved training Tuesday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday (excluding Saturday AM). If you want Saturday training, YOU must request it from the VR before you are approved for any VR funding because the VR receives a discount for VR students not training on Saturdays.
E. Driver must have license or permit for more than 90-days to be able to legally drive at night.
F. VR agrees to pay for a package of services. Additional service charges belong to the person who is financially responsible for all charges not covered by the VR.
G. For several reasons (listed below), we do not make a phone call to schedule or reschedule.
(1). We have discovered that if we make a phone call to schedule, we often put the Client in a position where he or she is scheduling blindly because he or she has not had or taken the time to careful consider future commitments. This leads to multiple rescheduling preceded by the statement, "I forgot about another commitment we had on X-day when I scheduled the driver's training, so I will have to reschedule." Each rescheduling cost me (Joda Collins) added administration expense, loss of scheduling time, and puts others we could have served earlier further down the scheduling calendar by delaying their training or causes me to lose business if clients or student-drivers (such as the military) will not be in this area later for training.
(2). We do not initiate telephone calls to schedule or reschedule lessons. When we initiate the telephone call to schedule or reschedule lessons, the conversation usually goes much like this, "Yes, let's schedule X date and time, however, I am not sure if that is an after-school activity day but I will let you know of you can (or will) call us to confirm," and such as that. Lessons become "tentative" based on investigation, thus rescheduling is the norm for many of the scheduled lessons. That kind of conversation is expensive for us as we now have to wait for confirmation and / or initiate multiple calls to confirm. Sometimes, we have to make many phone calls to schedule, in effect, almost begging a client to schedule. When we have to beg a client to schedule, that usually means we are put in a position to have to beg the client and / or student driver to show up for every lesson. That is costly and irritating. We offer a high quality, valuable and life-saving service. We do not beg people to let us serve them. Some people, that are not begged to show up for training, simply do not show up and that is bad or everyone, especially us. So, we avoid that whole negative scenario and those kind of people by allow those who need to be begged to schedule and begged to show up to simply let our service pass by. We do that by not begging such people to schedule or reschedule.
(3). The irritation factor for rescheduling is a consideration.
(4). Some people for whatever reason or reasons opt not to take lessons. Not calling them to schedule allows them a graceful way to bow out of taking lessons.
PS. This is a real email included as a clarification: -----Original Message-----
From: Joda Collins Driving Academy <jodacollins@aol.com>
To: Vocational Rehab Client and the Vocational Rehab Office
Sent: Sat, Nov 11, 2022 11:36 am
Subject: VR Student # VRXXXXX, CONTRACT QUESTION: Would you Ms. B., (VR Client) rather schedule all five VR approved lessons with one email to avoid the $10 fee starting with the second scheduling request which belongs to you, the VR Client/Customer, not the VR?
Good Morning Ms. B,
Thank you for your email request for scheduling one lesson only. Before I schedule that date and time, I do want to be sure you are aware of our contractual agreement regarding scheduling one lesson at a time.
A portion of our agreed-on Contract with you is reproduced below for your review, which reads: "(b). If you schedule less than all VR approved lessons with one email request there is a $10 fee per scheduling request beginning with the second request. This fee must be paid in advance of scheduling by the VR Client. Having that payment in the mail is considered paid in advance as long a we actually receive the payment. Our mailing address (not our business address) is:
Joda Collins Driving Academy
4033 Buttonbush Dr.
Milton, FL 32583
....F. VR agrees to pay for a package of services. Additional service charges belong to the person who is financially responsible for all charges not covered by the VR."
Paying for the added charge of multiple scheduling is not part of the package we have with the VR. We place a high priority on being sure we have all things stated as clearly as we can at all times because miss communication and missed communication is the source (cause) of most difficulties and misunderstandings; all of which we seek sincerely and work hard to avoid. Such things are most easily avoided when information is repeated, double checked to assure good comprehension (a meeting of the minds) and a commitment to the contract is made and honored at the beginning of service.
All of that said, we realize the contract is wordy. It is wordy because we have a lot of benefits for drivers, VR Clients and the VR that have to be, by law, clarified in detail. Those benefits depend on us keeping our admin expenses as low as possible. It costs Mr. Collins $18.25 every time there is a scheduling request regardless of how many lessons are scheduled with that request; the bulk of that salary to us (Secretaries) and the rest in various benefits for us and taxes he pays on salary and benefits. The scheduling process is not a simple one as we have to coordinate each scheduling of lessons (or a lesson) with four employees working from four home offices and manually update the on line (website) Available Dates and Times Section. Every minute of admin activity cost Mr. Collins money. We have one built in charge of $18.25 to the VR for every series of approved lessons.
If the VR Client schedules five lessons with five individual requests, the total cost to Mr. Collins for scheduling is $18.25 times five = $91.25. If the VR Client (you) schedules five lessons with one email request, the total administration expense to Mr. Collins for scheduling all five lessons with one email request is $18.25.
These are just facts that relate to the reality of doing business; we have not raised our charges to the VR since September 2010 and are doing our best not to have to do so. Mr. Collins profit margin is just under 14%. That means on your contract with the VR Mr. Collins total profit is $114, plus or minus $8 depending on several variables. This assumes the VR Client is scheduling all five lessons with one email request and the total cost to Mr. Collins for admin expense to schedule is $18.25. However, if the total expense to Mr. Collins for scheduling five lessons with five requests is $91.25 that is $73 more in admin expense ($91.25 minus $18.25 = $73.00) and that changes Mr. Collins profit for five lessons from $114 maximum to $41 maximum for 7.5 hours of training plus about 5 hours (minimum) of additional work (reports, lesson evaluations, communication with the VR, billing to the VR and more). If 7.5 and 5 are added that is 12.5 hours of effort for $41 in profit = $3.28 per hour in profit assuming nothing else is needed outside of the ordinary, which never happens (such as this email, for example). Secretaries get paid by the task not the hour, and my pay for this email is an expense to Mr. Collins of $18.25, which reduces his profit from $41 to about $23 for 12.5 hours of his effort which is $1.84 per hour profit. These are just the reality of doing business. That is too thin of a profit margin to realistically expect to stay in business, especially now in this volatile/unstable economy.
Our approved by all parties Contract with you reads in part:
"(3). Schedule all VR approved lessons with one email or the additional fee of $10 starting with the second scheduling request that belongs to the VR Client/Customer, not the VR.
(b). If you schedule less than all VR approved lessons with one email request there is a $10 fee per scheduling request beginning with the second request. This fee must be paid in advance of scheduling by the VR Client. Having that payment in the mail is considered paid in advance as long a we actually receive the payment. Our mailing address (not our business address) is:
Joda Collins Driving Academy
4033 Buttonbush Dr.
Milton, FL 32583"
Would you rather schedule all five VR approved lessons with one email to avoid the additional $10 scheduling fee starting with the second scheduling request. That belongs to you, the VR Client/Customer, not the VR. Either way is good for us. Just let us know which option you are selecting so we are sure we have not only our agreed-on contract, but a meeting of the minds about the agreed-on contract.
Thank you!
Questions? Just ask via email.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jackie, Scheduling Secretary
Joda Collins Driving Academy
850 981-3355
SECTION / CONTRACT TWELVE
Removed.
SECTION (CONTRACT) THIRTEEN
NON-BINDING ESTIMATE OF PROGRESS 8/26/19
If you are ever unhappy with me, my staff or our service, please let us know before you share your negative opinion with anyone else and give us a chance to resolve your concern. The best way to best insure we have a good working relationship is to read this Contract carefully and only sign it if you agree. If you find this Contract overwhelming, let us know by email and we will direct you through the process via email one step at a time. Thank you. Sincerely, Joda Collins
I am often asked, "How many lesson will the training require?" That s a good question. It is, also, hard to answer. For example, if I asked you, "How long will it take my son to become educated?, what would you say? If I asked, "How long will it take for me to be financially well-off?, what would be your answer? If I asked you, "How many lessons will it take for me to be a good piano player?" Can you tell me that now with any degree of accuracy? You cannot answer well because you do not have enough information.
Provide the following information BEFORE THE FIRST LESSON and after the first lesson I can give you a fairly accurate estimate of how many more lessons, if any, I think the driver will need to reach his or her driving goal. Fill out as many of these forms with varying criteria that you desire.
1. Are you only seeking to pass the State Driving Exam? If yes, do not complete this form. I will provide an estimate after the first lesson.
2. At what maximum speed do you want driver reasonably safe? _______ mph
3. In what traffic congestion do you want driver reasonably safe?
A. Mild B. Mild to Moderate C. Moderate D. Moderate to Congested. E. Congested
4. In what weather conditions do you want driver reasonably safe?
A. Good Weather (no noticeable wind or rain)
B. Mild wind but no rain
C. Moderate wind but no rain
D. Much wind but no rain.
E. Mild rain but no wind.
F. Moderate rain but no wind
G. Much rain but no wind.
H. Mild wind and some rain. (Mild Storm)
I. Moderate wind and moderate rain? (Moderate Storm)
J. Much wind and much rain. (Severe Storm but under level of national weather advisory)
5. Do you want driver reasonably safe after sundown? _______ (yes or no)
6. In what driving environment do you want driver reasonably safe?
A. Memorized by driver.
B. Well-known to driver.
C. New to driver but common to our area.
D. New to driver and much different from our area.
7. Do you want driver reasonably safe driving directly into rising or setting sun? _____ (yes/no)
8. Do you want driver reasonably safe among:
A. Excellent (defensive drivers) only
B. Excellent and good drivers only (good drivers keep the major rules of the road but are not defensive drivers)
C. Excellent, good and bad (crash prone) drivers.
9. By whose/what standard do you define "reasonably safe?"
A. Joda Collins' standard that teaches 12 General Safety Skills (that keep a driver from causing crashes) and 23 Defensive Driving Techniques (that keep a driver from becoming involved in the crashes that bad drivers cause). This estimate will be higher because Mr. Collins standard for "reasonably safe" is higher.
B. The Average Driver who employs three to six of the 12 General Safety Skills and two or three of the 23 Defensive Driving Skills. Note: The Average Driver considers him or herself safer than 80 to 85% of all other drivers, therefore, the Average Driver would also include the Above Average Driver.
C. The Poor Driver who employees one or two of the 12 General Safety Skills and zero to one of the Defensive Driving Skills.
Things are always changing and that is especially true in the arena of communication. Email was once new and now it is old. We are informed that the new rage for communication is texting because it allows for a faster and easier response. However, texting does not provide a record of previous communication, promises, directions, questions, answers or proposals. For personal communication texting is fine, but for business communication, texting has severe and costly limitations. Our primary mode of communication is email because it is the most effective for keeping a record of communication progress. If you do not have an email address or if you do not check your email at least once every 24 hours, let us know and we will communicate by US Postal Service all relevant facts, figures, promises, expectations and responsibilities. We do not have nor do we honor any verbal communication of facts, figures, promises, expectations and/or responsibilities; thus we have three methods of communication open to us: texting which we do not do for reasons clarified, email or US Postal Service. To use email, we do require that you promise to check your emails at least once per day. If you do not or can not do that, please let us know so we can communicate facts, figures, promises, expectations and responsibilities via US Postal System. Covid has closed our office except for receiving mail and the administrative business work of staff that cannot be done at their homes.
SECTION (CONTRACT) FOURTEEN
FOR DRIVING COMPETENCY/SAFET Edited 11/1/21
Name
___________________________________
Mailing Address
___________________________________
City State Zip
___________________________________
Email Address
___________________________________
Telephone Number
Driver License Number or State ID (Same number)
2. MEDICAL INSTITUTION INFORMATION IF ANY.
___________________________________
Name
___________________________________
Official Representative of Same
___________________________________
Mailing Address
___________________________________
City State Zip
___________________________________
Email Address
___________________________________
Telephone Number
B. The Evaluation answers the following questions.
(1) . Is the driver currently safe behind the wheel?
(a). If not, does the driver have the capacity to become a safe driver?
(1). If so, how much additional training do I (Joda Collins) think the driver will need to become a reasonably safe driver?
A. Safety evaluations are two-hours including a five-minute break for safety if needed. Thecharge is $232 if paying with a money order, cashier's check or if pre-approved a personal or business check or $249.46 if paying with a Visa or MasterCard Credit card (no debit cards accepted). There is a 7% discount if not paying with Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard). Mail your payment (no cash) to Joda Collins Driving Academy, 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton, FL 32583. The same day we get your payment we will contact you for scheduling. Be sure we have your phone number, email address and mailing address. If you desire door-to-door service the charge is $2 per round trip mile from our office very near the intersection of Interstate 10 at Exit 26, Milton, FL 32583; this includes a 7% discount for not using Visa or MasterCard Credit card (no debit cards accepted). If you are paying for door-to-door service with a Visa or MasterCard credit card the per round trip mile charge is $2.15 per round trip mile for our office which is very near the intersection of Interstate 10 at Exit 26, Milton, FL 32583.
(1). When we give you (the Client) a payment figure, double check our figures with your contracted price and if you find an error, please forgive our error and notify us of your findings. Any contractually factual or financial error that is:
(a). Discovered before the above service is rendered may be corrected.
(b). To the benefit of the client and is discovered after the above service is rendered will be corrected and the missed benefit provided to the client.
(c). After the above service is rendered that is to the detriment of the client will not be corrected.
(d). Discovered before or after the service above is provided will not be carried over to any additional service.
CONTRACT FOR PERSONAL USE OF OUR ACADEMY VEHICLE TO TAKE YOUR
Edited 10.25.21
1. FINANCES: All charges quoted, unless otherwise specified, are for payment in cash, money order, or cashier's check and include a 7% discount for not using Visa or MasterCard Credit Card (no other credit card is accepted. No debit cards accepted). Payment in full must be received not later than 24-hours in advance of the scheduled use of the vehicle. To calculate the charge using Visa or MasterCard Credit card multiply all payments by 1.075829.
A. Charges are:
(1). $240 for up to 1.5 hours from your appointment time. If Mr. Collins wait time at the driver license office exceeds 1.5 hours after your scheduled start time, the per minute charge is $1.87 after that 1.5 hour wait time. No refund for less time used is provided or offered.
(2). $2.25 per round trip mile from our office very near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Exit 26 in Milton, FL.
(3). Plus any reimbursement of toll bridge charges.
(4). If paying with Visa or MasterCard Credit card (no debit cards accepted), please multiply all final payments by 1.0752859.
B. Verifying Charges and Dealing with Errant Charge:
(1). When we give you (the Client) a payment figure, double check our figures with your contracted price and if you find an error, please forgive our error and notify us of your findings. Any contractually factual or financial error that is:
(a). Discovered before the above service is rendered may be corrected.
(b) To the benefit of the client and is discovered after the above service is rendered will be corrected and the missed benefit provided to the client.
(c). After the above service is rendered that is to the detriment of the client will not be corrected.
(d). Discovered before or after the service above is provided will not be carried over to any additional service.
C. Missing Your Appointment
(1). If you schedule my car for your personal use to take the State exam and miss the appointment for any reason including reasons that are not your fault, and do not provide at least a two-hour notice the missed lesson charge is $100 (scheduling and reservation fee) plus the door to door (mileage) fee if Mr. Collins has already left his office for your appointment plus $1.15 for every minute, with a one hour minimum, Mr. Collins is at the driver license office for the purpose of serving or attempting to provide for you. Cancel by calling 850 981-3355 and also cancel by email (jodacollins@aol.com). If there adverse weather in the forecast that Mr. Collins feels prohibits the testing, we will cancel by phone and/or email, and you will owe nothing. If there is adverse weather in the forecast within two-hours of your appointment that you feel prohibits the testing and you cancel due to that adverse weather forecast and no later than two-hours before your appointment, you will owe nothing. The DMV does not always test during adverse weather. Do not make your appointment with the driver license office until you (the Client) are assured by us (the Joda Collins Driving Academy) that the date and time you want to take your exam is a date and time our vehicle will be available to you. All unused funds are 100% refundable upon request if requested in accord with this Contract.
(2). If you provide at least a two-hour notice of cancellation and your request for refund, 100% of what you paid in advance relative to your driver test appointment is fully refundable, except for your $40 scheduling fee. A refund for services already rendered is not honored; we already scheduled Mr. Collins time and our vehicle for you
2. ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE DRIVER LICENSE OFFICE: All ramifications (results/consequences), whether positive or negative relative to the Clients and/or Drivers association, business, agreements, understandings and/or written or verbal communication with the Driver License Office belong to (are the responsibility of) the Client. I do not pay for other peoples mistakes, problems or acts of God (otherwise known as "not my fault" or "unavoidable") against them. I make more than enough mistakes of my own, have more than enough problems of my own and more than enough acts of God against me to pay for. I do not need nor will accept financial responsibility for yours.
3. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: We (herein meaning, "The Joda Collins Driving Academy), do not rent our vehicle to any and every driver with a valid permit who wants to use it to take the Florida behind-the-wheel driving exam for the purpose of securing or keeping a driver license. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. No driver can use my vehicle for personal use who has not taken, at least, one two-hour driving session that is devoted mostly or completely to driving in traffic without my assistance (as it will be during the State exam) and I deem the driver reasonably safe with no need for any driver's training whatsoever. "Reasonably safe" means I can trust the driver to driver crash free in a 45mph zone that is new to the driver which is a minimum of 100 points on our safety score card if testing in Gulf Breeze, 110 points if testing in Milton or at the Warrington Driver License Office in Pensacola or 120 points if testing at the downtown Pensacola (Palafox) Office, the W Street (Pensacola) Office or at any driver license office in Okaloosa County before I will let a driver use my car for his or her personal use (to take the State exam). ADVISORY: While I do not have many people who ask to use my car for their personal use, so far none have scored 100 after only one lesson. The average for a newer driver is, so far, a total of 4.83 lessons after passing the Basic Vehicle Control Course.
I am a small business. I have only one car. Wreck my car and I am out of business until I get it repaired or replaced. Plus, my insurance will increase greatly for three years if the car is crashed even if just a fender bender! I have to be confident that those who use my car for their personal use (to take the State Exam) will not wreck my car before I let any driver use it for his or her personal use. As a matter of conscience I cannot loan my car to a driver who I think can pass the driver's exam but is a danger to him/herself and others on the open road
4. SELECTION OF THE DRIVER LICENSE OFFICE YOU ARE USING FOR YOUR STATE EXAM:
If you live in Santa Rosa County we mandate that only the Gulf Breeze Driver license office can be use for the State exam. If you live in Escambia County we mandate that only the Warrington Office can be used for the State exam if it is open to take the State exam. Sometimes that office closes for reasons we are not aware of. If you live in Okaloosa County, you select the driver license office and inform us of that location (address). You must tell us in advance of signing this document which driver license office you will use to take your State Driving Exam.
5. INFORMATION REQUIRED: The Client must provide to the Joda Collins Driving Academy the following information before scheduling for your State Exam.
A. The address of the location where you will take the exam.
B. The date and time you want Mr. Collins to be at the above address.
C. If you want Mr. Collins to pick you up and drive you to and from that pick up location to and from the Driver License Office, you must provide that pick-up address.
Then, we (Joda Collins or Staff of) will provide the expected total charge for all services the Joda Collins Driving Acdy provides for you for the above date and time
6. I (JODA COLLINS) DO NOT:
A. Discount the first lesson fee if I you decide not to continue training because my estimate is more lessons than you anticipated or think is fair or right.
B. Provide a discount for additional use of our vehicle for the State exam if driver fails the exam.
C. Refund money if a driver fails the State exam.
D. Guarantee the Student-driver will pass the State exam. Some State examiners are very lenient and others are very strict.
7. SCHEDULING.
A. If you live in Santa Rosa County the only location I allow my car to be used for testing is the Gulf Breeze Driver License Office unless otherwise approved and arranged..
B. If you (the Client) do not get an email reminder of your driving session between 12:01am and 8:30pm the day before your driving appointment EVEN IF YOU RECEIVED A REMINDER OR CONFIRMATION EARLIER, there may be a scheduling problem. Please call 850 981-3355 or email jodacollins@aol.com to discover if there is problem. If you do not contact us by email or phone at least two hours before the scheduled lesson we will not assume responsibility, financial or otherwise, for that missed lesson. This need coves a glitch/weakness in our scheduling system that we cannot get rid of without your assistance. We place this burden on you because we have to. If you want to know why, just ask.
8. SCHEDULING FEE
(1). No charge. There is no Scheduling Fee if you schedule using our online Calendar / List of Available times and in accord with the directions found there.
(2). If you schedule by telephone use (with a live person or via voice mail), there is a $10 charge per event (per phone call for scheduling). If you want to know why, just ask. We do not collect in advance for it because almost no one opts for this. We bill those who opt for this
9. DISCLAIMER
Almost 100% of new drivers severely underestimate the number of lessons it will take for them to reach the General Safety Score needed to use our vehicle for their personal use. I (Joda Collins) have grown weary of debating with people about it; not that I am assuming anyone, including you, will debate with me about it nor am I insinuating that you would. So many others have, that I am just being preemptive. Here is the best way to estimate how many lessons it might take you to reach the specifically stated General Safety Point goal of 100, 110 or 120. Beginning with the first lesson after you tell me you want to use my vehicle for your personal use, I will provide to you a General Safety Score and ways you can score more points faster. Most drivers score about the same average of points per lesson between 0 and 50. 85% of that between 51 and 90. 85% of that between 91 and 100. 85% of that between 101 and 110 and 85% of that between 111 and 120. After the second scored lesson, I will have a base line for the average progress per lesson and from that base line I will do all the math for you and let you know after every lesson (via email with 12 hours of the lesson) how many lessons you are from 100, 110 and 120. However, such math is not a promise, prophesy or guarantee because there are too many variables beyond my control for me to boldly predict your future. I can tell you this, the total number of lessons will probably be many more than you expect it will be at the beginning. Most drivers, new and experienced, believe they are much better and much safer drivers than they actually are. Remember, it is my car, my insurance charges, my business, my income, my home, retirement and possessions that I am putting at risk in full trust of your driving skill. That is a lot to put at risk in the hands of others. I do not do so lightly. Neither would you if you were me.
Working Agreements/Service Contacts
If your only goal is to pass the State Driving Exam to secure your driver license, the better you have memorized the steps for parking and three-point turn BEFORE scheduling your first (or only) lesson the fewer lessons you will need to reach that goal.
However, we do not teach parking and three-point turn unless specifically asked to do so. Second, we do not tell the driver or the client when we will teach parking and three-point turn, rather, the driver and/or the client tells us when that training will occur.
We do not charge for parking and three-point turn training IF the driver is also enrolled in paid training, has memorized the steps in whole or in part well enough to quote them without hesitation upon request and without assistance. It only takes about one minute to teach the three-point turn and about five minutes to each parking once a driver has memorized the steps well enough to quote them (in whole or in part) without hesitation, or assistance and upon request. I (Joda Collins) simply add the time to any existing lesson. Also, drivers do not have to memorize all of the steps for parking and three-point turn as I will train a driver to do all the steps the driver has memorized taking the first part of every lesson to do so, if you wish that free training. If so, ask for it.
Parking and Three-point-turn are skill requirements for all who have to take the State exam. It usually benefits the driver to use his or her vehicle to learn parking and the three- point turn because that better ensures the driver will, more easily, pass the part of the State test and because the training/learning is easier and takes less time in a personal vehicle. (See red and green print for details.) Therefore, I need to know if you, the Client, want to use your vehicle for parking and three point turn training or our vehicle. It is your choice. I do not care if you use your car or my car for parking and three-point turn.
Drivers that have memorized the steps for parking and three point turn can "learn" how to park and do the three point turn during behind the wheel training in about five minutes. Drivers that do not or can not memorize on their own usually require one to three hours of behind-the-wheel training to learn parking and three point turn.
Drivers do not have to learn all the steps at one time before free training for parking and/or three-point turn occurs. You can be trained for no charge on only the steps you have memorized. Just let us know when you want the training.
When I first bought my car I had to have my front end (tires) aligned every 5 or 6 weeks. I was getting only 24,000 miles on my 40,000 mile tires. A Toyota supervisor asked me if I was turning the steering wheel with the vehicle stationary? I said, "Yes, every day, many times a day." He told me to be sure the car was moving at least one mile per hour before turning the steering wheel and I would get rid of the necessity to have my front tires aligned so often. He was right. Most students take about 15 to 20 attempts before learning to do the three point turn. It is not unusual for mentally handicapped students take 20 to 40 attempts. It is common for me to teach 100 to 200 three-point turn attempts monthly. Now that I require my vehicle to be moving at least one mile per hour before turning steering wheel, my front end alignment need has vanished.
What car are you using for parking and three point turn training? Yours or mine?
Unless otherwise directed use this procedure (memory steps) for the three-point turn:
Slow, Right, Look, Signal, Stop
Turn, Look, Go, Stop
Reverse, Look, Go, Stop
Drive, Look, Go.
Memorize the red print if you are using your vehicle for parking and three point turn training.
Memorize the green print if we are using the Joda Collins Driving Academy vehicle for parking and three-point turn training.
The only difference is that in the Acdy vehicle the vehicle has to be moving at least one-tenth of one inch per second before steering while in your vehicle you can turn the steering wheel with the car stationary. After about 200 stationary full turns left or right I have to have my vehicle tires re-aligned. I have to take half a day off and pay $66 for the re-alignment. If the car is moving at any speed, the weight of the car is dissipated and no front end alignment is necessary due to parking and threepoint turn training. However, many new drivers take a long time to learn to keep the car moving slowly with brake pressure applied and turn the steering wheel fast enough to successfully accomplish a three-point turn or parking. Teaching does not mean that I am obligated for a student driver to abuse my vehicle unless I am convinced driver cannot, with training, learn to drive slowly with brake pressure. The expense for learning or trying to learn to travel slow without stopping by applying light brake pressure belongs to the Client. If I determine the driver simply cannot do it, I will let driver use my car for parking and three-turn and I I will pay for a front-end alignment. Anyone, however, can turn the steering wheel while the car is stationary and it does not matter if the steering is slow or fast. Questions? Just ask.
Entering a parking space when using a private vehicle for parking.
1. Go slow, get far right, look over left shoulder and if safe, signal left.
2. Stop, turn wheel 90% full left.
3. When safe, coast.
4. Steer right in order to stop with car centered n lane.
5. Point front wheels straight.
6. Put parking brake on and transmission in park.
Note: "When safe," means you look in every possible direction from which a vehicle or pedestrian might reasonably be about to enter your line of travel.
Exiting a parking space when using a private vehicle for parking.
1. When safe, put in reverse, release parking brake when safe, back.
2. Stop when my front bumper is even with back bumper of vehicle on right or left.
3. Turn wheel 100% in the direction you want the back end of vehicle to go. .
4. When safe, back up, stop at 45 degree angle and put in drive.
5. Turn wheel 100% in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and when safe, accelerate. .
View: http://activerain.com/blogsview/505780/a-slice-of-life
Three Point Turn when using a private vehicle for three point turn training.
1. Go slow, get far right, look over left shoulder and if safe signal left and stop.
2. Turn 100% left and, when safe, coast, stop and put in reverse.
3. Turn 100% right, when safe coast back, stop and put in drive.
4 Turn 100% left and when safe, go.
There is more to entering and exiting a parking space than what is noted above, but the additional information is easily incorporated into the steps above once the steps above are memorized.
Entering a parking space when using Academy vehicle for parking.
1. Go slow
2. Get far right
3. Look over left shoulder and if safe.
4. Signal left.
5. Stop.
6. When safe, coast at 0 to 1 mph and then
7. Turn wheel fast 1.5 turns left (as soon as your from bumper passes post.
8. Turn wheel to 1.5 turns to right.
9. Stop centered in your lane one to 12 inches from curb or concrete stop.
10. Put parking brake on and transmission in Park.
Exiting a parking space when using Academy vehicle for parking.
1. When safe, put in reverse and when safe, back
2. Stop when told to do so, when directed turn wheel full left then stop vehicle at 45 degree angle.
3. Put in drive and when safe, coast at 0 to 1mph and then steer into your lane.
Three Point Turn when using Academy vehicle for three point turn training.
1. Go slow, get far right, look over left shoulder and if safe signal left and stop.
2. When safe, remove some brake pressure, coast, and turn full left and stop before any part of vehicle goes off the road.
3. Put in reverse, when safe, coast with partial brake pressure on, turn wheel full right as fast as you can, stop when told.
4 Put in drive, when safe, remove some brake pressure, coast while turning wheel left as fast as you can and steer into your lane.
Note: "Stop," means "stop when I (Joda Collins) tell you to stop. "Coasting," is always at 0 to 1mph, accomplished by keeping some brake pressure on.
There is more to entering and exiting a parking space than what is noted above, but the additional information is easily incorporated into the steps above once the steps above are memorized.
We offer a free written Memory Course that, upon completing, most student drivers have memorized the parking procedures. That free Memory Course is found at
http://www.lulu.com/shop/joda-collins/driving-skills-memory-work/paperback/product-20127983.html
If you want to use this Memory training and need more direction to do so, just ask!
For student-drivers that have completed the Driving Skills Memory Workbook and turned in the completed written work to us (as evidence of completion of the Memory Workbook) and still find they cannot memorize the steps for parking, we set you down at a table and quote each step to you one and you restate them. We do this for one hour. So far, everyone who thought they could not memorize, did.
Every driver that has secured a driver's license in the State of Florida has memorized steps for parking and a three-point-turn. You can do it, too.
Even if the vehicle that the driver will use for the State test is not available for use for training, I still prefer to use the Client's or Student-drivers personal vehicle instead of my vehicle for parking and three point turn training. That is because I do not allow my vehicle have the steering wheel turned while the vehicle is stationary. It is very hard on the power steering over a long period of time. It will not hurt power steering if done a few hundred times, but can damage the power steering when done a few thousand times as it is when done in a vehicle use for training every day.
FREE TRAINING (PARKING AND THREE POINT TURN)
We do not charge for parking and/or three point turn training, in whole or in part, if the following conditions are met:
1. Driver has memorized the steps for parking and three point turn, in whole or in part, well enough to quote them without hesitation or assistance and upon request before training for parking and three point turn during paid sessions. This means driver does not have memorize all the steps at one time. Memorize as much or as little as you want and we can practice what you have memorizes free of charge to you anytime you want. It only takes about 45 seconds to to a complete three point turn after steps are memorized and it only takes about two minutes to enter and exit a parking space in accord with State law once the steps are memorized. So, all I do is a two or three minutes to any existing lesson at no charge any time a driver wants to practice what he or she has memorized of the steps for parking and/or three point turn.
2. Before memorizing the steps for parking and three point turn, read the red and green print above.
3. Driver must have at least 90 General Safety Points before practicing parking and/or three point turn if using the Joda Collins Driving Acdy vehicle for parking and three point turn training.
ADDITIONAL OFFER
I (Joda Collins) will train any licensed driver to train any person how to pass the parking and three point turn part of the State driving exam for $1.94 per (in car) minute. Requirements:
1. This training must be added to an existing lesson of 75 or more minutes.
2. The training has to take place in the Client's insured vehicle.
3. The maximum training time per 75 -minute or longer lesson is 15 minutes unless otherwise arranged. Most experienced drivers can learn to teach parking and three point turn in 15 minutes.
ADDITIONAL OFFER
Any Client can ride during parking and three point turn training of his or her Student-Driver and learn from watching how to train for parking and three-point turn. Charge for riding and learning how to teach parking and three-point turn is zero dollars. Standard training fees still apply for Student-Driver training.
I will train any Client to train any student to do parking and three-point turn. Standard training fees still apply.
If you have any remaining questions, just ask!
SECTION TWO
This is for those directed here. If you have not been directed to this Section, it will not make sense to you.
THREE POINT TURN
Far right
Go slow
Look
Signal
Stop
Turn
Look
Coast
Stop
Reverse
Turn
Look
Coast
Stop
Drive
Turn
Look
Go
ENTERING PARKING SPACE
Get right
Go slow
Look
Signal
Stop
Turn
Look
Coast
Stop
Parking & transmission brakes.
EXITING A PARKING SPACE
Reverse
Look
Coast
Stop
Turn
Look
Coast
Stop
Turn
Look
Go
Turn steering full left when parked uphill with curb on right
Moving vehicle must miss pedestrian by three feet minimum.
Put both feet on brake. Hold brake down with left foot. Move right foot to accelerator. Small acceleration. Remove left foot from brake.
One difference is turn lane is shorter than deceleration lane.
Know where horn, emergency flashers, bright and dim headlights are.
CLARIFICATION OF FREE THREE POINT TURN TRAINING
What follows was in response to a real email which read: "Mr. Collins, you said I would get some FREE three-point turn training today and I did not. Why?"
My Response: Free behind-the-wheel training is unusual for any driving school to offer. Unlike other businesses, such as grocery stores for example, that can offers something for free or at a reduced price and can make up the lost profit on the sale of other items, driving schools only have one product/service which is driver's training.
Eighty percent of driver's training is Cognitive/Mental only.
Ten percent of driver's training is a combination of Cognitive and Physical.
Ten percent of of driver's training is mostly Physical.
1. COGNITIVE/MENTAL ONLY (80%)
A. Learning the rules of the road and how to apply those rules of the road in traffic,
B. Learning the 12 General Safety skills and now to apply those skills in traffic and C. Learning the 23 Defensive Driving Techniques and how to apply those techniques in traffic.
2. A COMBINATION OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL (10%)
A. Learning how the steering wheel influences the front tires.
B. Learning how the brake and accelerator influences the speed of the vehicle.
C. Learning when and how to use coasting.
D. Memorizing the steps for parking and three point turn.
Ten percent of drivers training is:
2. PHYSICAL (10%)
A. Learning the physical moves to safely operate the accelerator, brake and steering.
I give away FREE driver's training in the following ways:
1. The workbook which is all mental/cognitive.
2. These emails which is all mental/cognitive.
3. The written steps for parking and three point turn, which is all mental/cognitive.
4. Responding to any questions about driving presented in email format which is cognitive/mental.
5. Under specific conditions, couple of minutes at the start of each lesson devoted to free three-point turn and parking skills, which is a combination of mental/cognitive (memorizing the steps) and physical (doing the memorized steps behind the wheel).
Now, let's take the major points made in this note so far and put them together.
1. It is unusual for a driving school to give away driver's training whether it be cognitive/mental skill information, physical training behind the wheel or any combination of physical and mental/cognitive training.
2. FREE three point turn training consists of memorizing the steps and doing them. However, I only give away a minute or two free driver's training per lesson and only until driver can do the three-point turn and parking well enough to pass that part of the State exam.
Today, my FREE three point turn consisted of testing you while you were in the passenger's seat with me in the driver's seat to see if you memorized the steps for the three-point turn. In total it took only about three to five minutes to do so, which included driving to the location for the three point turn, providing instruction to you to state the steps from memory, and me doing them to show you what the steps looked like in real life and changing sides with you to begin the paid driving session.
You ACED the memorizing the steps. When the three to five minutes of FREE training was over, I changed places with you to begin the paid training. We started the lesson at 2:25pm and ended the lesson at 3:47pm; a total of one hour and 22- minutes or 82-minutes of training of which five was devoted to free three point turn training leaving 75-minutes of paid training and 2-minutes of additional free training. I always try to go a couple of minutes over to be fair.
At the end of the training you shared with me that you were not allowed to do any of the FREE three-point turn training. I shared with you that you did get the FREE three- point training. You seemed confused and I shared with you that I would clarify with an email. This is that email.
However, I know what you meant. What you meant was that you were not allowed to be behind-the-wheel of my car to do the three-point turn training for FREE. And that is correct. Before I put a driver behind the wheel for FREE three point turn training, I usually first verify the driver has memorized the steps well enough to quote them without hesitation, without error and upon request and show the driver those steps as they play out (are done) in real life. That is driver's training. Once I know a driver can quote the steps without error or hesitation, I put the driver behind-the-wheel to do those steps, which will be done the next lesson.
In contrast, if today, I would have spent five minutes driving to the three point turn location, clarifying what we were doing during the three-point turn, having the you quote the steps slowly so I could show them, then changed sides with you and then having you actually do the steps, the total amount of time I would have given to FREE training would have been closer to 15 minutes rather than five. Five minutes of FREE training is a about a $10 value. Fifteen minutes of free training is about a $29 gift. While I enjoy and want to give some free time, I seldom give $29 worth of my time for free in one lesson; not because I am negative towards giving the training, but because my lessons are often back to back, especially on Saturday and if I give 15-free minutes to every driver, that would mean I lost one full hour of training time every day (if I had four drivers), which is not unusual for a Saturday because Saturdays fill up first and fastest. That is too much free training to give and too much lost training (income) time.
Next lesson we will start the training with you behind-the-wheel to do the three point turn. The free training consists of everything relative to the three-point turn that you can do without unnecessary hesitation and without error. This limits my free gift to you to a limit I can give away and still make the most of my limited time I have to earn my living.
Thank you for your good question. I hope this clarifies and is a good answer to your good question.
Questions? Just ask.
Sincerely,
Joda Collins
SECTION THREE
SAVING MONEY!
OUR MOTTO IS "WE GO THE EXTRA MILE."
In the days of Jesus on Earth, any Roman Solider to order any person to carry anything the Roman Soldier was carrying and do so for up to one mile. Jesus said, if a Roman Soldier orders you to carry his gear (or anything else) for a mile, then volunteer to carry it an extra mile. In other words, do twice as much for the Roman Solider than is required and do it with a positive attitude.
In order to fulfill our motto, we have to give you the opportunity of progress through the training at twice the rate, therefore at half the expense. Drivers who:
1. Memorize the steps for parking and three point turn.
2. Memorize the assigned 10-words prior to the start of lesson one.
3. Do the assigned three hours of self-study in preparation for each lesson starting with lesson two.
4. Read and reflect on progress reports after each lesson.
5. Learn hand over hand steering on their own time.
6. Learn to let the wheel slide through hands to complete standard 90-degree turns on their own time
Progress twice as fast and at half the expense compared to drivers who do none of the above.
A. MEMORIZE
Memorize the following 10-words in consecutive order before the start of your initial driving session, "Ahead, Behind, Mirror, Shoulder, Signal, Ahead, Behind, Mirror, Shoulder, Move." Save $30.00 (not $30 off, but $30 less).
B. MEMORIZE
Memorize the steps (procedure) for parking and three-point-turn on your own time. Save $150.00. (Not $150 off but $150 less.)
C. FREE written report of your driving progress and/or needs after each or almost every lesson. Learn by reading. You have to ask for this report via return email. Mr. Collins pays a Secretary $15 to turn his coded notes into something you can read if and only if you want those notes sent to you email FREE of charge to you. Only about 30% of drivers and 70% of Clients want those notes, so Mr. Collins does not spend the money producing them if they are not valued. One request is all that is needed for notes after every lesson.
D. WORKBOOK
Read 15-pages of the study Workbook in preparation for your initial training session. That workbook is attached to your first email from us. Or, you can order the workbook on line at
http://www.lulu.com/shop/joda-collins/joda-collins-driving-academy-course-workbook/paperback/product-24099355.html
Read for a devoted three hours (or less if so noted) from the study workbook in preparation for each lesson beginning with lesson two and turn in the self-study written work, unsolicited, at the start of each lesson. Save 30% to 50% of your tuition expense (not 30% to 50% off, but 30% go 50% less) because you will progress up to twice as fast and at up to half the expense compared to those who do not do the reading or written work.
None of the workbook is required reading. None of the reading is expected. The workbook is nothing like the Florida Official Driver's Manual. The workbook is optional reading for those who want to progress faster through the training, thus at a lower expense. Some find it very helpful and progress up to twice as fast and therefore at half the expense. Others find it tedious reading and of no value at all.
Learning to drive safely is 10% physical ability, 40% behind the wheel training and 50% mental. For example, if I gave an elementary school student a copy of the times tables on Monday and said we would study the times tables on Friday and I would charge the student's parents $1.68 per minute for every minute it took me on Friday to teach the times tables and between Monday and Friday the child spent eight hours memorizing the times tables, on Friday I would ask the child a dozen or so times tables questions such as what is 3 times 3, 6 times 4, 7 times 9 and so on. If the child got every answer right I would know in about a minute or so if the child had learned the times tables. If so, I would charge the student's parents about $2.00. However, if the student waited until Friday to study the times table with me as the teacher and it took him or her eight classroom hours to learn the times tables, the charge tot the parent would be $1.68 times 60 minutes times eight hours = $806.00. The savings for the first child is $804 ($806 minus $2). That is not $804 off, but it is $804 saved.
That is the way it is with driver's training. If you want me (Joda Collins) to explain during paid driving time the meaning and application of the 45 most common traffic laws, the meaning and application 10 most common traffic signs, the meaning and application of the 12 general safety skill and the meaning and application of the 23 defensive driving techniques, I can do that at a cost to you of several hundred or several thousand dollars (depending on your listening skills and learning speed). Or, you can learn them for free by reading the assigned homework.
The only reason I offer this savings opportunity is for the students who could not otherwise afford driver's training. However, if you can afford driver's training but want to invest half as much for twice the learning, you can do self-study also.
Only about 10% of students avail themselves to this savings opportunity. If most students did use the workbook, I could not afford to offer it.
Those who do not avail themselves to this FREE learning often say they learn by doing and not by reading. However, they never tell any other teacher that. For example, how many times does a person have to negotiate a four-way stop without instructions on the rules for a four way stop before they learn the rules of a four-way stop. My estimate is about 10 to 20 times. How many times must a driver read the rules to four way stop before the driver knows the rules to a four way stop? My estimate is about four times at a cost of zero dollars.
When a student is learning from me in the car, I am doing is telling the student how to apply what is in the workbook, but charging by the minute to do so. Use your behind the wheel time learning how to apply what you learned by reading, not learning what is in the 266 pages of reading material.
Sometimes a student tells me they cannot do the homework because they cannot read. Please see: https://donmcminn.com/2020/01/how-to-learn-from-reading/?unapproved=47797&moderation-hash=a5a7f3da1c5b26eed090089a2727ff1b#comment-47797
Most students who cannot read, can listen to someone else read it. If you do not have some one to read it to you, let me know and I will pay my secretary to read it to you and charge you nothing. Just call or email for details.
E. Follow directions during training and learn by doing rather than ask "why" before you will follow directions. Save $1.68 per minute for each minute Mr. Collins invests to answer your why question before you will follow his direction. (Not $1.68 per minute off, but $1.68 per minute less.) Once you follow the direction, you will experience why.
F. Shuffle steering slows training. If you want to know the details of why shuffle steering slows training (and adds training lessons), just ask.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/05/just-say-no-to-shuffle-steering/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3ArlcIqmOg (Hand-over-hand steering)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/road-safety/2748533/Bad-and-unnatural-steering-practices.html
There is no such thing as a perfect steering method. Every method has positives and negatives. You must determine which positives and negatives you are willing to live with. I teach the 10 and 2 hand over hand method because I think the positives of this method outweigh the negatives. In all other forms of steering I think the negatives outweigh the positives. If you are devoted to a form of steering other than 10 and 2 hand over hand, let me know and we will honor your wishes. Just let us know. Otherwise, we teach 10/2 hand-over-hand.
FREE TRAINING (PARKING AND THREE POINT TURN)
We do not charge for parking and/or three point turn training, in whole or in part, if the following conditions are met:
1. Driver has memorized the steps for parking and three point turn, in whole or in part, well enough to quote them without hesitation or assistance and upon request before training for parking and three point turn during paid sessions. This means driver does not have memorize all the steps at one time. Memorize as much or as little as you want and we can practice what you have memorizes free of charge to you anytime you want. It only takes about 45 seconds to to a complete three point turn after steps are memorized and it only takes about two minutes to enter and exit a parking space in accord with State law once the steps are memorized. So, all I do is a two or three minutes to any existing lesson at no charge any time a driver wants to practice what he or she has memorized of the steps for parking and/or three point turn.
2. Before memorizing the steps for parking and three point turn, read the red and green print above.
3. Driver must have at least 90 General Safety Points before practicing parking and/or three point turn if using the Joda Collins Driving Acdy vehicle for parking and three point turn training.
SECTION FOUR
SHORT CONTRACT
FINANCE
$145 per 75-minute in car and/or behind the wheel training session payable in advance. No refund once this payment is made. No rescheduling once lesson is scheduled unless the Joda Collins Driving Acdy does the rescheduling due to a National Weather Advisory for our Santa Rosa or Escambia County the predicts adverse weather within three hours of your scheduled lesson. Includes a 5% discount for not using Visa or MasterCard Credit card. If paying with Visa or MasterCard, please advise us immediately (now is good).
SCHEDULING
We do not schedule without payment made in advance. When we receive your payment we will contact you for scheduling.
LESSON START LOCATION
Door-to-door service is available. For a quote, just ask. If no door-to-door service is requested and agreed on, the start location is 3804 Garcon Point Rd, Milton, 32583.
VERBAL AGREEMENTS
No verbal agreements, ever!
LIMITED LIABILITY
When in the Joda Collins vehicle, you agree not to hold Joda Collins and the Joda Collins Driving Academy responsible for any physical, emotional or psychological damage, real or imagined, that occurs during training relative to but not limited to any steering, braking or acceleration that is not associated with a crash and said crash must incur, at least, $100 property/vehicle damage regardless of who is driving or who is steering, braking or accelerating. When, in a client’s vehicle, the vehicle owner assumes all liability including all liability that is over and above car owners maximum insurance limit.
SECTION FIVE
Note: This is a sample of an email we often sent, with slight variations as needed, to Clients. While 100% of the content of this email will may not apply to you, some of it will. The part that applies as well as the part that does not apply will be apparent. Thank you for reading this carefully.
Good Afternoon Mr. and/or Ms. Client,
Question: Do you want the driver to use our (Acdy) vehicle or your vehicle for the three-point turn for the upcoming lesson? Before answering that question, please carefully read this detailed email. Thank you.
See www.jodacollins.com , Agreement page, Section One, Colored print for details. Be sure to memorize the list of steps relative to the vehicle you are using for training for parking and three point turn.
If the driver has not memorized the steps for the three point turn well enough to quote them upon request without error or hesitation, then Mr. Collins will ask this question of the Client at the start of the lesson tomorrow,
1. Do you want to spend paid driving time at the upcoming lesson with the driver memorizing the steps for the three point turn. or
2. Skip the training for parking and three point turn today, memorize the steps for the three point turn on your own time for free between lessons, and go on today to General Safety Skills (driving in traffic)
Note: At the upcoming lesson, if you want the driver to memorize the steps for the three-point turn during paid training using the Acdy vehicle, that is done:
1. With the student in the passenger's side while Mr. Collins shows the three point turn. The student-passenger directs Mr. Collins from the passenger's side to do the three point turn until the driver has the three point turn steps in short term memory. Then,
2. Driver does the three point turn helping driver move steps from short term memory toward long-term memory.
Why doesn't the student begin the training for the three point turn in the driver's side of the Acdy vehicle? Because....
1. It takes longer because the student often does the steps out of order, thus frustrating learning as learning the wrong order is counter-productive and the more the driver does the steps out of order the longer the training takes.
2. Most new drivers think that, or have been taught that steering is done with the vehicle stationary. However, every auto mechanic will tell you and almost every car maintenance manual will state that turning the steering wheel with the car stationary is not recommended as it is very hard on (damaging to) the power steering, the front wheel assembly and the front end alignment. When I was allowing student drivers to turn the steering wheel with my vehicle stationary I had to get my vehicle front end (tire) aligned every four to six weeks, plus I incurred some costly and unnecessary front end repairs. Plus, my 40,000 mile tires only got about 24,000 miles when I did not often align the front end. I no longer allow drivers to steer in my vehicle with the vehicle stationary.
To dissipate the weight of the vehicle on the tires/front end alignment/parts, when steering, my car must be moving at least 1/100th of one mile per hour (the speed an ant moves). I have been mandating that for six years and have not had to spend one penny on front end alignment or front end repairs during the past six years. Most new drivers find it very difficult to regulate the brake pressure so the progress is slow and steer fast enough to do a three point turn in three points. That is one reason why I suggest using the driver's or client's vehicle for the three point turn and parking training. With the vehicle owner's permission, I do allow a driver to turn the steering wheel of his, her or the client's vehicle while that vehicle is stationary. I allow this for the following reasons.
1. It takes about 200 full turns in a stationary vehicle to cause the first signs of needed a front end alignment. Most students do not need 200 attempts to memorize the steps for the three point turn. However, since I work with many new students all of the time it does not take long for 200 three point turn, full stationary turns left or right to be made in my car.
2. I pay my vehicle repair bills and pass that expense on to Client's in the form of higher prices.
3. I do not have to pay for your vehicle repair bills.
Question: Do you want the driver to use our (Acdy) vehicle or your vehicle for the three-point turn for the upcoming lesson?
Questions? Just ask.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jackie, Scheduling
Joda Collins Driving Academy
850 981-3355 www.jodacollins.com
WHAT IS SATURATION?
What follows is a cut and paste from my web site. It is generic and intended for every driver who has reached saturation. No offense is intended by this generic cut and paste. What follows are just facts; facts of life and facts of learning.
Driver appears to me to have reached saturation. Saturation is not about a learner's character, disabilities, motivation or IQ. Saturation is just something that just "is."
CATEGORY ONE
Those with excellent character, no learning disabilities, higher motivation and normal IQ along with
CATEGORY TWO
those with poor character, learning difficulties/disabilities, low motivation to learn driving skills and less than normal IQ all face saturation sooner or later.
However, those in Category Two above reach saturation sooner compared to those in Category One (above).
Saturation = driver can not learn more new things at a reasonable progressing rate/speed of learning at this time until some of the things the driver is now learning becomes habit.
I am not a psychiatrist, psychologist nor a sociologist. It is not my job to diagnose why a learner has reached saturation but only diagnose to the best of my ability when a driver has reached saturation. My job is to be the best instructor I can be and provide as much motivation as I know how to provide to the student-driver to become as safe as the student-driver can be at this time in his or her life. There is only so much room in the human mind and emotional reserve for a person to deal with the quality of new things to learn. Otherwise, we would wait unit a person is 17-years old and send them to school for one year to earn their high school diploma rather than spread the learning of new things out over a 12-year period of time.
Some of the typical signs of saturation are listed below. All 12 signs are not needed, nor am I stating that driver has more than one of the following. Saturation is just a fact. It happens to every driver sooner or later for one or more reasons. Human beings are not created to learn a ton of new things in a short period of time. We all have our limit of new things. There comes a time when the material to learn is just too much for the present time and we need time, practice and experience (applying what we are learning and have learned) to turn what we are struggling to make good habits, good habits.
Like all good habits, it takes time, work and practice to develop good habits. Saturation is not about a learners character. Those with excellent character and those with poor character all face saturation sooner or later. Saturation is just something that just "is."
Saturation is just a fact. It happens to every driver sooner or later for one or more reasons. Some of the typical signs of saturation are listed below. All 12 signs are not needed, nor am I stating that driver has more than one of the following signs (evidences) of saturation.
1. Two consecutive lessons with loss of General Safety Points or General Safety Points considerably below drivers current real ability.
2. Three lessons in a row with less than two General Safety Points average for those three lessons.
3. Driver is forgetting to do the things that he or she has remembered to do well in past lessons.
4. Driver has lost a significant amount of interest and/or motivation to do the hard work it takes to learn more things relative to driving safer.
5. Forgetting to bring General Safety Scored card with him or her to the lesson for updating said card after the lesson ends, and showing no interest in driver's General Safety Score following the lesson.
6. Lack of attention in training to directions.
7. Passive attitude about learning (kind of an oh-hum approach to learning new things).
8. Emotionally neutral (or negative) towards constructive criticism about driving in an unsafe manner.
9. Lacking the ability or desire to do simple tasks.
10. Experiencing a degree of frustration or anxiety that is excessive or unusual for the driver when asked to do simple tasks.
11. Driver appears more excited and interested in the lesson being over than excited or interested for the training lesson to begin.
12. Driver walks away from the vehicle faster after the lesson is over compared to drivers walk to the vehicle to start the lesson.
CATEGORY ONE
Driver has the ability to learn to become a safer driver at this time in his or her life but lacks the internal motivation to do the hard work it takes to learn to become a safer driver; the longer the training lasts the more challenging the task as one moves into more challenging driving environments; driver will struggle to remember and apply driving skills learned due to lack of interest and/or internal motivation; expect considerable regression. If driver finds or rekindles ample internal motivation to do the hard work it takes to become a better-skill (safer) driver in more challenging driving environments, driver will benefit greatly from continued professional driver's training. Or....
CATEGORY TWO
Or, driver has the motivation to do the hard work it takes to become a safer driver in more challenging driving environments but lacks the ability to do so at this time in his or her life; thus, driver needs time to practice what he or she has learned until some of the things he or she has learned becomes habit, thus making more room in mind and emotions for continued learning of new material. Once learning becomes habit, this driver will benefit greatly from continued professional driver's training.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?
Saturation does NOT mean the student-driver cannot learn any more new and challenging material regarding learning to drive with more safety. It does, however, mean the progress in the future may be painfully slow and may not be worth the expenditure of time, effort and finances. However, the decision to continue in training is not mine to make. That decision belongs to others.
SUMMARY OF INFO IN THIS COLUMN. You only need to read the paragraphs that apply to you or where additional info is needed; however, you will be rewarded if you take the time to read this entire column.
This section is undergoing a major edit today and may not be ready for viewing until 9pm today. No facts and figures are being changed, we are just improving readability.
If you seek driver's training all you have to do is follow the instructions below one step at a time to walk through this process with ease and a quickly as possible. If you want to complicate the process and add stress and time, skip any step.
1. Registration
Please send the following information by email to JodaCollins@aol.com .
A. Your full name:
B. The full name of the student driver (if different from yours):
C. Your complete mailing address:
D. The complete mailing address of the student driver (if different from yours):
E. Your relationship/association to the student driver if you are not the student driver:
F. The driver license #, permit # or State ID# of the student driver. If none, write "none."
G. In you own words, tell us how you want us to help you?
H. We offer a 7% discount for payment with money order or check (personal, business or cashier's) rather than payment with Visa or MasterCard Credit Card (no cash or debit cards accepted for initial payment). Your minimum payment for your first (or a) driving lesson is $140 unless you are mandated by the State to take four-hours of training in order to keep or regain your driver license. If you are mandated by the State to take four hours of driver training in order to keep or regain your driver license, the minimum charge is $449.00. Knowing the minimum charge, and knowing you can change your mind later do you THINK you will be paying your $140 or $449 with a money order, cashier's check, personal or business check or a Visa or MasterCard Credit Card (no debit cards accepted)?
Please send the following information by email to JodaCollins@aol.com .
I. According to the figures in H above, if you payment or initial payment will be $140 please go to Contract Six below. According to H above, if your payment is $449, please go to Contract Seven (not Six), below.
J. If you training is funded by any organization, email us at jodacollins@aol.com and write the name of the organization and we will provided further directions.
CONTRACT SIX
October 13, 2022
1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
1. What is the Clients (financially responsible person's) name and telephone number?
2. What is the Student-driver's name if not the same person?
3. What is the goal or what are the goals of the driver's training as expressed by the Student-driver?
4. If the Student-driver is not the Client (financially responsible person) what is the goal or what are the goals of the driver's training as expressed by the Client?
5. What is the Student-drivers driver license or driver permit number?
After we get the above information we will follow up with an email that provides specific information that furthers your route towards scheduling a driving lesson.
2. TIME
A. A training lesson/session is 75-minutes unless otherwise requested and arranged.
B. The time sequence is:
(1). Registration, contract Agreement, payment (in whole or in part) then scheduling, or (2). Registration, Contract agreement, scheduling then payment in whole or in part (depending on some variables).
It takes about one-hour to do all of this not including all times from 9pm to 9am, Sundays, and response time (both yours and ours). If you need to do this faster, let us know and we will make that happen.
C. This Contract is not simple because I provide a lot of services and benefits and each has to be clarified. If you prefer a simple Contract, let me know. I simply remove the Client and Student-driver benefits which makes this Contract shorter and easier to grasp but more money and fewer benefits for the Student-driver and the Client.
Please read the remainder of this contract before answering any remaining questions.
3. WE WILL CALCULATE YOUR FEES
To determine fees and services, please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. You are not obligated by any answer you provide and can change your mind anytime.
A. Do you want to use your personal vehicle or the Joda Collins Driving Academy vehicle for over-the-road/in-traffic training (non parking and three point turn training)?
B. We prefer to use your insured vehicle for parking and three point turn training. Can we use your vehicle for parking and three point turn training or would you rather use the Joda Collins Driving Academy vehicle for parking and three point turn training?
C. Would you prefer your lesson be on a Saturday rather than a weekday?
D. Do you think you might pay more than $30 with Visa or MasterCard Credit Card (no debit cards accepted).
E. Is the Student-driver18-years or older?
F. Is the Student-driver the Client (financially responsible person for charges).
G. If you want a quote for door-to-door service rather than start an end the diving lesson(s) at our start/end location located one-tenth of one mile off of Interstate 10 at Exit 26, give us your start and end location (address) and we will send you a per lesson quote for that service.
You do not have to rewrite the question, just provide the question number and your response, like this for example.
A. Academy Vehicle
B. My vehicle.
C. Weekday
D. Yes
E. No
F. No
G. 2525 Lake Street, Pensacola 32507
4. DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE
If you need or want door-to-door service the fee is $2.25 if paying with money order, cashier's check or (if approved) your personal or business check and $2.42 per round trip mile from our start location (3804 Garcon Point Road, Milton, FL 32583) plus any toll bride charges rounded to the nearest dollar. You can use www.mapquest.com to calculate charges or provide us your start/end location for training and we will provide you with the charge for door-to-door service.
5. MONEY. ALL POSSIBLE CHARGES (except door-to-door charges). CALCULATION CHARGES FOR SERVICES IF YOU ARE PAYING WITH MONEY ORDER OR CASHIER'S CHECK.
1. Do the calculations as found below in "4. MONEY..." and multiply the amount in line (8) which reads, "What is the total of all the amount in lines (1) through (7) above $_______________" by .93 (point 93) and this is your per lesson fee before any Rebate. Also change the fee found in 6.(9) below from $26.88 to $25.00 and add it to the abobe total you if the fee in 6.(9) below applies to you, or go to #5 below.
6. MONEY. ALL POSSIBLE CHARGES (except door-to-door charges). CALCULATION CHARGES FOR SERVICES IF YOU ARE PAYING MORE THAN $30 WITH VISA OR MASTERCARD CREDIT CARD (no debit cards accepted). (If you are paying less than more than $30 with a money order or cashier's check please go to #4 below.) It is fruitless to try to figure out why all of the below is asked for before you answer the following questions. By the time you complete this assignment, it will all make sense. If you want to know the reason for any of these fees beyond $150.54, just ask via email (JodaCollins@aol.com) please.
(1). The base before each 75-minute training session is $150.54.
(2). If you are using your personal vehicle rather than the Joda Collins Driving Academy vehicle for over-the-road/in-traffic training (non parking and three point turn training), add $15.05 to the base fee (of $150.54).
(3). If your lesson/appointment is on a Saturday rather than a weekday add $5.38.
(4). If you paying more than thirty dollars with Visa or MasterCard Credit Card (no debit cards accepted), add $10.75; if you want to know the reason, just ask.
(5). If the Student-driver is not the Client (financially responsible person) and the Client opts not to ride during the first lesson, add $11.83.
(6). If you are using door to door service and have received a quote for that service, add that amount of money to the base price. That fee is $______________
(7). Add 7% of the the amount in the line in #(7) above if and only if you are paying for door-to-door service with a Visa or MasterCard Credit Card (no debit cards accepted). That amount is $______________.
(8). What is the total of all the amount in
lines (1) through (7) above $_______________. This is your per lesson fee before any Rebate.
(9). If parking and three-point turn training is part of your desired training, add $26.88 to the base fee only for the lesson or lessons where parking and three point turn are taught and to no other lesson. Most of the time only part of one lesson is needed. The reasons for this charge is that the constant daily use of the Academy vehicle for three-point turn and parking requires turning the steering wheel with the vehicle stationary or super fast with the vehicle hardly moving and doing so throws the front end alignment off in just a week or two, requiring additional repair bills, time off from teaching for vehicle repairs and the loss of about 40% of the tire life.
7. REBATES
A. After the completion of lesson one, schedule two weekday lessons with one email or phone call and you do not miss, cancel or reschedule either lesson for any reason, including any reason that is not your fault (unavoidable), and receive a $9 rebate at the start of the second lesson in this series of two lessons (the third lesson counting lesson one).
B. After the completion of lesson one, schedule three weekday lessons with one email or phone call and you do not miss, cancel or reschedule any of those lessons for any any reason, including any reason that is not your fault (unavoidable) and receive a $16 rebate at the start of the third lesson in this series of three lessons (the fourth lesson counting lesson one).
C. After the completion of lesson one, schedule four weekday lessons with one email or phone call and you do not miss, cancel or reschedule any of those lessons for any any reason, including any reason that is not your fault (unavoidable) and receive a $70 rebate at the start of the fourth lesson in this series of four lessons (the fifth lesson counting lesson one).
D. The Joda Collins Driving Academy cancels all lessons that are scheduled to begin or end within three-hours of a National Weather Advisory without any financial loss to you for that lesson.
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. LESSON DURATION
Each lesson is 75-minutes unless the otherwise agreed and arranged.
B. HOW MANY LESSONS WILL IT TAKE TO REACH YOUR DRIVING GOAL(S) OR COMPLETE THE COURSE YOU QUALIFY FOR, WHICHEVER IS SHORTER IN TIME?
After the first lesson, via email the same day, I (Joda Collins) will answer that question to the best of my ability if you want that question answered. An estimate of future progress is not a promise or a prophecy. There are too many variables out of my (Joda Collins) control to guarantee a rate of progress. It is, however, and educated guess based on years of experience. I am seldom off my very much and it is a highly subjective answer. For example, if you as a concert pianist how many 75-minute lessons will a student need to be a good piano player you can expect a very different answer to that question that if you ask the same question to a high school piano teacher. That is because the professional concert pianist and the high school piano teacher define "good" in much different ways. I am often asked, "How many lessons will it take for the driver to be safe?" That depends on how one defines safe. Safe at what speed, in what weather conditions, among what kind of other drivers, in what kind of driving environments, in daylight or daylight and dark, and does "safe" mean "safe as most" or "safer than most?"
C. RIDER(S). A QUESTION FOR YOU.
If the Student-driver is not also the Client, under most circumstances, we want, but do not require, the Client or Clients to ride in the back seat for lesson one (only) so Client gets an idea of what he or she is paying for; we need to know before scheduling if you will be riding during the first (or only) lesson? YES NO If you want to know why we need to know the answer to this question before scheduling we are happy to share it, if asked.
9. ATTACHMENT ONE (found immediately below) AND ATTACHMENT TWO (found immediately after Contract Seven below) are part of this Contract.
10. SUMMARY OF KEY FACTS
It costs more to use your insured vehicle for over the road training, if we use our Academy vehicle for the three point turn and parking training, under certain conditions if you miss, cancel or reschedule, for door-to-door-service, to use credit card as you void a 7% discount on tuition, and if you do not avail yourself to our Rebate option.
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SECTION ONE
PARKING AND
THREE-POINT TURN
(Turn-About)
Please read your Service Agreement (Contract) Carefully! Thank you.
Behind-the-Wheel Training
JODA COLLINS
850 981-3355
DRIVING ACADEMY
Copyright © 2016. Joda Collins. All rights reserved.