Welcome to

JODA COLLINS

DRIVING ACADEMY LLC

Behind-the-Wheel Training

Serving Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties since 2008!

My Business Philosophy

THE GOLDEN RULE

850 981-3355

Zip Code:

Evening Phone:

850 981-3355

Daytime Phone:

My Specialty is Defensive Driving.
I have driven almost one-million miles (including 18-wheeler, bob-tail truck, UPS Package delivery truck, as a chauffeur and a driving Instructor) and developed safe-defensive driving skills at the highest level. As a driving Instructor for more than 1,100 students (about 5,000 lessons, 6,300 training hours and 140,000 training miles), I have gained the ability to work with every kind of student at every level of driving skill.

However, I do not serve narcissists, psychopaths or sociopaths. Life is too short and I am too smart now to spend time with psychological predators. Been there. Done that. No thank you! I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. So far, out of more than 1,100 student applications, I have refused service to four.   I should have refused service to eight; LOL. (You know who you are!)

My Business Structure
I have a small business with two people assisting me about two-hours per week each.This means you are, usually, receiving the attention of the business owner. If someone is in the office, we will answer the phone. If no one is in the office, we try to return every phone call and every email within two-hours.

My Business Goal
I have only one goal.That goal is to be the best defensive driving school in the world. What does it take to be the best driving school in the world?

1. An experienced, dedicated instructor that will train you and yours with the mind-set that the driver's life depends on the quality of service he/she receives and a devotion to invest in each student as if the student was his own child, sibling or parent.

2. A commitment to do everything, exceptionally, well.

3. A Client-centered and Driver-centered business that makes the needs and desires of
every Client and every Driver the priority, second only to "safety."

Without reservation of thought, I tell you that I offer you the "best" defensive driver's training that you can find anywhere in the world.That is a bold statement, I know. However, I believe it to be an accurate statement. Some driving school has to be the best. This is it! In reality, since few business have highly experienced staff who are dedicated, first and foremost, to your success and to pleasing you as a priority, the field of top-quality businesses, in any field, is not large.

When the person giving you most of the service is the business owner, that is a positive with regards to receiving the best service.

4. Very few driving instructors have the vast experience behind-the-wheel that I have. And, driving instructors come and go often.Very few have trained 1,100 drivers!

5. Full revelation of details.I am a man of many words.It takes a lot of words to reveal all information. I would rather lose your business than have your business and you be confused about what you are paying for or what to expect. I do not like confrontation. I will do my best to explain to you exactly what to expect. I do not bait and switch, misrepresent, lie, conceal or withhold information. I have no small print where information is hidden that is designed to hurt you or take advantage of you. I will answer any question you have as honestly and as fully as I can. I will put anything I say in print and sign it.

The first lesson begins at 2807 Avalon Blvd, Milton 32583 unless otherwise directed or agreed upon. See you email for specifics. Directions to start location for lesson one at McDonalds, 2807 Avalon Blvd, Milton 32583:

Lesson Start Locations

My Commitment to You!

Behind-the-Wheel and Internet Training

Address Street 1:

From Pensacola
Take I-10 East over the Escambia Bay Bridge. Take your first exit (#22). Turn left at first traffic signal. McDonalds is immediately on your left.

From Pace
Take Highway 90 towards Milton.Turn right on Avalon Blvd (at the PJC entrance). McDonalds is on your right, one block before I-10.

From Milton (near I-10)
Take I-10 West towards Pensacola. Take Exit 22. Turn right at the stop sign. McDonalds is immediately on your left.

Welcome

JODA COLLINS DRIVING ACADEMY

First Name:

Charges
Training charges range from $48 to $108 per hour (not per session, since we do not use 60-minute sessions, but 75-minute sessions) depending on the Course you select, the number of lessons you schedule and pay for in advance and the number of free hours of training hours you take advantage of.  This does not mean a person can sign up for the $48 per hour driving session; there is no such offer. The only way to secure training for less than $108 per hour ($135 per 75-minute session) is to pay for more than one scheduled lesson at a time and/or take advantage of the FREE training offered. See the FREE page of this web site for details.  If your training is State mandated under the 3/3 Program the charge is $100 per hour which includes administrative charges for State recording.

I started this business in July 2008.  A few months after the start of my business and after much experimenting with various charges, I determined my charges. I have not increased my charges since.

Since the start of my business, my profit margin decreased from 14% in 2008 to 5% in 2016 because the cost of business continued to increase while my charges remain unchanged.  Thank you for understanding my position of not offering any additional discounts or any additional FREE products or services. I cannot work for less or do more for FREE and stay in business.

Each lessons is one-hour and 15-minutes (75-minutes) except for the first which may last up to 15-minutes longer and if so, at no extra charge. Each session is $135 depending on how many lessons are scheduled and paid for in advance. Any lesson paid for before the start of lesson two is considered paid in advance and a retroactive discount is applied to lesson one. All lessons on our scheduling calendar not later than 7pm the night prior to the start of lesson two are considered scheduled in advance. To calculate the charge, just multiply each lesson times $130.00. That figure is within 4% of the charge regardless of the discount applied. The $130 amount and the $135 amount includes a 10% discount for not using Visa or MasterCard Credit Card. (No debit cards accepted at this time.)

In addition to the $200 to $800 in FREE training, I do three things that help a student progress 35% to 50% faster through training compared to any other driving school.

     1. Free written training materials.
     2. Free e-mail between each lesson (starting with lesson two) clarifying drivers progress and needs.
     3. FREE unlimited e-mail access to me and my office to answer any question a client and/or student-driver has.

Applying these benefits, my prices are equal to or lower than any other driving schools in the USA.

Finances
All pre-paid and deposited funds are 100% refundable upon request if cancellation or rescheduling deadline is met. Cancellation/rescheduling deadline varies from one-minute to two-hours depending on the reason for cancellation or rescheduling. Most driving schools require a 24 to 48-hour cancellation/rescheduling notice. No money paid for completed service is refundable under any conditions. All final charges are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Driving Lesson Duration
All driving lessons are 75-minutes in length unless otherwise arranged.

Door-to-Door Service
I provide door-to-door service for slightly less than one-half the charge of a taxi. I arrive within one-minute of your scheduled time, rather than the 45-minute window offered by most taxi services. The charge is $1.45 per round trip mile from 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton, FL 32583. Use www.mapquest.com to calculate one way miles, multiply by two and then by $1.45 or call 850 981-3355 for a quote. Also, you can consult this web site (Agreement Page, left column, purple print at bottom of left column) for an approximate door-to-door charge by zip code reference.

State:

Tue, May 10, No times available
Wed, May 11, No times available
Thurs, May 12, No times available.
Fri, May 13, 1pm, 7pm
Sat May 14, 10am, 4pm and 7pm

Tue, May 17, No times available.
Wed, May 18, 10am, 1:30pm
Thurs, May 19, 10am, 1:30pm, 4:45pm
Fri, May 20, 10am, 4pm, 7:30pm
Sat, May 21, 10am, 4pm and 7pm

Tue, May 24, Anytime 10am to 8pm
Wed, May 25,Anytime 10am to 2pm
Thurs, May 26, Anytime 10am to 8pm
Fri, May 27, Anytime 10am to 8pm
Sat, May 28, 10am, 4pm and 7pm

May 31th and following
Tuesday through Friday: Anytime 10am to 8pm
Saturdays 1pm, 4pm, 7pm
Sunset in May is 7:36pm

What your needs? How we can serve you?

HOW DOES TRAINING WORK?
Training is private, that is, one student-driver with one driving instructor. I, Joda Collins, am the only driving instructor. At the end of the first driving (training) lesson I provide an estimate of how many more lessons, if any, will be needed for the driver to reach his or her driving goal. I offer this estimate as a Guarantee. If the driver does not reach his or her driving goal in the number of lessons I suggested, I provide one additional lesson and that additional lesson is tuition-FREE. (Door-to-door service fees, if any, still apply).

2. IS A LEARNER'S PERMIT OR DRIVER LICENSE REQUIRED?
Yes. The State of Florida requires every driver to have a license or a permit.

Closed Sundays and Mondays
Sunset in May is 7:36pm. Must have permit for 90 days to drive at night.

City:

Hello. My name is Joda Collins.   Welcome! Thank you for taking a look at my web-site. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (850 981-3355) or email JodaCollins@aol.com.

My Commitment to You:
Excellent service, excellent training and excellent training materials provided with a Client-centered and Driver-centered approach.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below each question is the shortest answer I can provide. To learn more read the item with the same number in the center and right column.

1. HOW DOES TRAINING WORK?
The first lesson (75 to 90-minutes) is a training session, followed by a verbal evaluation and an estimate of how many more lessons (if any) it will take (in my estimation) to reach your expressed driving goals. See #1 in the column to the right for more details.

2. IS A LEARNER'S PERMIT OR DRIVERS LICENSE IS REQUIRED. Yes. See #2 in the column to the right for more details.

3.  THE CHARGE IS $135 (non-credit card) to $150 (Visa and/or MasterCard Credit card) per 75-minute driving session. Some FREE training is offered. Not all drivers qualify for all FREE training. However, the person that takes the least paid training and takes advantage of the most FREE training will pay $36 per hour for training ($45 per 75-minute training session). This $36 is determined my taking the total paid and dividing by the total hours of training. Obviously, few students take the least amount of paid training and the largest amount of free training.  See #3  in the column to the right for more details.

4. HOW LONG DOES THE TRAINING TAKE?
If your driving goal is a certain number of hours, then your goal can be measured and predicted. If your goal is a certain degree of driving skill reflecting driving safety, then the time it takes to reach your driving goal will depend on the speed of your progress. There are six Courses and each has an "average" time investment for completion. See "Courses" page for full details.  See #4 in the column to the right for more details.

5.  GRADUATION IS NOT GUARANTEED IN THE SUGGESTED TIME FRAME FOR EACH SPECIFIC COURSE because no one can predict, with 100% accuracy, the future progress of someone else. Times are averages for the average student.  See #5 in the column to the right for more details.

6. LIMITED CONDITIONAL GUARANTEE OF PROGRESS
Progress at the rate I estimate or receive an additional driving session tuition-FREE.  See #6 in the column to the right for more details.

7. WHAT IS DEFENSIVE DRIVING?
Defensive driving is driving in a manner where crash-prone drivers do not involve you in their crashes.  See #7 in the column to the right for more details.

8. THE DEFINITION OF A BEHIND-THE-WHEEL LESSON.
Seventy-five minutes of behind-the-wheel training.  See #8 in the column to the right for more details.

9. DO WE PROVIDE A VEHICLE FOR TAKING THE STATE EXAM?
We will rent you our vehicle for your personal use (to take the State exam) under specific conditions.   See #9 in the column to the right for more details.

10.  WE PROVIDE THE VEHICLE FOR TRAINING, however, we can use your insured and road-worthy vehicle, if you desire and sign an insurance waiver.  See #10 in the column to the right for more details.

11. WE PROVIDE DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE FOR ESCAMBIA AND SANTA ROSA COUNTIES FOR SLIGHTLY LESS THAN ONE-HALF THE COST OF A TAXI.
Go to http://www.mapquest.com/. Click on "Directions." Enter 32583 in the "A" box and your address in the "B" box.  Round the miles and tenths of miles to the nearest mile. Multiply the number of miles by $3.00.  That is a very close estimate. Of call 850 981-3355 for an estimate.
See #11 in the column to the right for more details.

12. WE DO SERVE PARTS OF ALABAMA?
Yes.   See #12 in the column to the right for more details.

13.   WHAT I (Joda Collins) DO.
I tell the truth about your driving progress and do my best to help you reach your driving goals.  See #13 in the column to the right for more details.

14. WHAT I DO NOT DO.
I do not lie about your driving progress or reduce my prices. I do not refund money for lessons already completed, started or not cancelled within the one-minute to two-hour time frame.  See #14 in the column to the right for more details.

15. ARE CAREFUL DRIVERS SAFE?
Careful drivers are reasonably safe among other careful drivers. Only Defensive Drivers are reasonably safe among bad drivers.  See #15 in the column to the right for more details.

16. BRIEF BREAK
If a break is taken for safety, that is part of the training. If a break is taken for any other reason, additional time to cover the break will be added to that lesson.  See #16 in the column to the right for more details.

17. CAN PARENTS OR SPOUSES RIDE DURING TRAINING?
Yes. Parents and spouses are welcome and invited to ride along for the first lesson only if we are using the Academy vehicle and for all lessons if the training is not being done in the Academy vehicle. The crash rate with a parent or spouse in the back seat is 250% greater, therefore, there is a three-minute speech all riders have to listen to before riding. Safety first. If you feel you must ride in the Academy vehicle during training, talk to me about it and I will see what I can do to accommodate your request. Anyone can follow us to see the training from the outside of our vehicle. I will provide any client (parent, spouse, etc.) a free 10-minute driving session with client behind-the-wheel to get an idea of my teaching ability. For more details go to:
http://policyregardingriders.webs.com.

18. HOURS OF OPERATION (Training)
10am to 8pm, Wednesday through Saturday. Tuesdays by special arrangement. Closed Sunday and Monday. See #18 in the column to the far right for more details.19. YOUR INSURANCE MAY BE LESS IF YOU TAKE BEHIND-THE-WHEEL TRAINING FROM A STATE LICENSED DRIVING SCHOOL. (My Driving Academy is State Licensed.)
See #19 in the column to the right for more details.

20. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE CANNOT "GET ALONG"?
If we cannot work together with a reasonable degree of harmony and mutual respect, we part friends, if possible. But, we part. Life is too short to do otherwise.  If you quit early I will not charge you for lessons not taken if canceled in a timely manner. If I quit early, I will not refund money to you for lessons completed.  See #20 in the column to the far right for more details.

21. STATE EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Ask and I will tell you what is required to pass the State Exam.   See #21 in the column to the far right for more details.

22.  THE FINANCIAL VALUE OF SELF-STUDY
Driver can do self-study in conjunction with their behind-the-wheel training. Most students who do the self-study progress 35% to 50% faster in training compared to drivers who do not do the self-study. This is a 35% to 50% ($44 to $75) savings per driving lesson depending on your contracted per-lesson price. Self-study is not required, however.   See #22 in the far right column for more details.

23. DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IN BAD WEATHER
The only way to learn to drive at night is to drive at night. The best way to learn to drive in bad weather, is to drive in bad weather.   See #23 in the far right column for more details.

24. WHY IS THERE A CHARGE FOR DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE?
I give away a lot, but I cannot give away everything. It costs me to provide door-to-door service. I do not add that costs to everyone to cover this expense, so I charge those that use the service about 80% of what it costs me to provide it.  See #24 in the far right column for more details.

25. IS THERE A CONTRACT TO SIGN?
Yes. We call it, also, a "Working Agreement." You can see it on this Web Page. Go to "Agreement" and read the right column, black print. Clients and drivers must approve the Working Agreement not later than 7pm the night prior to the first driving session.  See #25 in the far right column for more details.

26. I (Client and/or Driver) SIGNED THE WORKING AGREEMENT BUT I DID NOT READ IT. NOW THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE I DID NOT "KNOW" SOMETHING I AM BEING HELD CONTRACTUALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Talk with me (Joda Collins). We can probably resolve most issues. Let me try.   See #26 in the far right column for more details.

27. I (Client and/or Driver)MISREAD THE WORKING AGREEMENT AND NOW THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE I MISREAD IT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Talk with me (Joda Collins). We can probably resolve most issues. Let me try.   See #27 in the far right column for more details.

28. WHERE ARE THE DRIVER LICENSES OFFICES?
Probably, at the tax office in your town.   See #28 in the far right column for more details.

Last Name:

3. THE COST
Most people carry a $500 insurance deductible. That would be the minimum expense per crash for most crashes.

Avoiding crashes is much less expensive than paying for them. At $108 per hour, the standard 75-minute lesson is $135.00. (Multiply all figures by 1.11112 if paying by Visa or MasterCard credit card.)

The video course, the written course, the two 75-minute Show and Tell lessons are FREE. The 75-minute behind the wheel driving session is $135.00.Two Show and Tell in Car sessions.

See www.JodaCollins.com, FREE page, Section "Show and Tell" for details.
Additional behind the wheel driving sessions are 75-minutes at $135 each with $4 discount for two lessons (1.5%), a $9 discount for three lessons (2.2%), a $16 discount for for lessons (almost 3%), a $45 discount for five lessons (6.6%). To calculate discounts for six or more lesson multiply $9 times the number of lessons. All discounts are subtracted from the last paid lesson, not each lesson equally. We do not accept pre-payment for lessons not on our scheduling calendar because people who are too busy to pre-schedule are usually too busy to take lessons and most end up asking for a refund of unused lessons.

All prices above are for cash, money order, cashier's check or certified bank check and include a 10% discount for not using Visa or MasterCard credit. I do accept Visa and MasterCard credit cards (no debit cards), however, the expense to us for using Visa/MasterCard are horrendous. When adding all the fees I pay between 10% and 12% to Visa and MasterCard for their service. When I collect my fees using Visa or MasterCard credit card, my profit margin is about 5%, so you can see that using Visa and MasterCard eats up all of my profit and more. The smaller the business the greater the percentage of fees charged.

Therefore, we give a 10% discount for not using Visa or MasterCard credit cards. This keeps my profit margin at about 5%. All prices quoted are "non-credit card" prices. If you use Visa or MasterCard please re-add the "non-credit card discount" by increasing the total by 10%. For example, the charge for one 75-minute driving session is $150.00. To pay not using a Visa or MasterCard provides a 10% discount. Ten percent of $150 is $15 and $150 minus 10% is $135.00.

Thank you for understanding. When the profit margin is 15% (when payment is made with Visa or MasterCard credit card) we cannot pay 10% to 12% to the credit card company plus give the 10% discount and stay in business.

We do not use PayPal. The reasons are clarified in this television special placed on U-Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vYh9c1y3sc

When using Visa or MasterCard we collect that information from you in a secure fashion that we will clarify at your request.

Believe it or not, I have had people say to me, "I chose the $48 dollar per hour lessons" because they think that because I offer lessons between $48 and $108 per hour that means they can select any charge per hour between $48 and $108.00. Not true.

The only way to reduce a person's cost per hour is to take advantage of the FREE or nearly-FREE driver's training.

For example, if you bought one orange for 50 cents and there was a 2 for 1 sale, where the second orange was free, in reality, you could say that you paid 25 cents per orange. The way you reduce your cost per orange is to select the free orange along with your paid orange. You cannot select the free orange and leave behind the 50 cent orange.

However, if you paid for one lesson @ $135 and were given two in-car training lessons at no charge, the total would be three lessons for $135 which is $45 dollars per lesson. Each lesson is 75-minutes, so the per hour charge is $36 per hour. This is possible since every driver that takes one lesson qualifies for two FREE Show and Tell In-car sessions.

I had one woman call me a liar because after she paid for three lesson one at at time @ $135 per lesson, she said she was waiting for her $48 lesson and since that never happened, I was a liar.

I have had many people get confused about the hourly charge because I do not offer one-hour driving sessions, but use one-hour and 15-minute driving sessions. Their questions and concerns arise from the fact that I cannot have an hourly charge because I do not offer one-hour sessions!

Sheesh! I realize that not everyone can add, subtract, divide, read or think logically; and I sympathize. However, to simplify, remember this: All lessons paid for are $150 to $135 depending various factors minus applicable discounts. All lessons you do not pay for are FREE, although not all drivers qualify for all FREE lessons offered. If you take the total number of FREE lessons that a person might qualify for and add the minimum lessons needed to qualify for as many FREE lessons as possible and divided all those lessons by the total amount of money paid, the per lesson charge could be as little as $36.00 per hour. FREE training plus paid training divided by the total hours.

For those who struggle with the math or logic of how the cost per hour becomes less, here is my offer. "Your charge per 75-minute lesson is $135 per lesson (non-credit card fee). I will let you know if I can charge you less per lesson or if and when I can give you free training." Problem solved.

Obviously, not every driver will qualify for every FREE lesson. If the most I could ever earn was $36 per hour, I would not be able to stay in business for one week.

Very few people take advantage of the FREE training. That is why I can offer it for FREE. However, the ones that do take advantage of the FREE training, get it FREE. That is your choice.

Why does FREE service come with limitations? Limitations are necessary to keep those with no scruples from taking advantage of me and make it impossible to offer FREE service to anyone.

Why do I offer FREE training when so few take advantage of it? The number one rule of sales is to clarify the benefits before stating the charge. When I am asked what the charge is, I provide the FREE benefits and then the charge. Unless the benefits are more than the charge, there is little chance of a sale.

The paid service and the benefits I offer far out-weigh the charge. Most people who take my training soon learn that my service without the benefits provide benefits that far outweigh the cost of my service even if no FREE benefits are taken. So, they are happy and never take the extra effort to use the FREE training.

Everybody wins.
I do not negotiate my charges. Everyone pays the same rate. That way I can honestly and with integrity say that I am not charging one person more than another person. Please do not try to dicker with me for a lower price. I am not selling a used car. I am providing a valuable service. If you do not feel my services are worth the charge, then do not do business with me. Pretty simple. Please do not expect me to compromise my business integrity by asking for more discounts or more free services than I offer to everyone else. Please do not as me to give to you as a courtesy what others have the courtesy not ask for. I give a way a lot. I give away enough. Thank you for your consideration.
For more details about Courses and charges, go to the "Courses" page of this web site.

4. HOW LONG DOES THE TRAINING TAKE?
Completion is based on then number of hours behind-the-wheel if your goal is a specific number of training hours or the ability to perform the driving skills you stated at the start of your training that you desired to accomplish. A combination of commonly desired driving skills has been combined to form standard "Courses" which you can view on our Course page.

Each driver is unique. After the first driving lesson, I will be able to provide an estimate of how many more lessons, if any, will be needed to reach your expressed driving goals.

I provide that estimate of lessons in the form of a Guarantee. If you have not reached your driving goal in the number of lessons I suggested, then I add one additional lesson at no tuition charge. Door-to-door pick up charges, if any, still apply.

5. IS GRADUATION GUARANTEED IN THE SUGGESTED TIME FRAME FOR EACH SPECIFIC COURSE?
No, because graduation is based on driving skill not time behind the wheel. Like most classes, there is a start date or time and an ending date or time.

Most students graduate the course with an A, B, C or D grade in the designated time frame of the course. However, some fail.

The reason some fail is that they do not get sufficient mastery of the course material to "pass" the course. However, the course time is sufficient for the average student with average devotion to task to pass..

Most pass in the time frame designated in the course they qualify for. Course time estimates are based on the prerequisite courses. For example, a four-year college degree (Bachelor's Degree) takes 16-years of training not four years.

6. LIMITED CONDITIONAL GUARANTEE OF PROGRESS
If a driver meets all three of the standards noted below, I guarantee driver will reach his/her driving goal in the time period I designate or I will provide an additional 75-minute driving session tuition-FREE.

A. By the start of lesson one memorize the following five words in consecutive order, "ahead, behind, mirror, shoulder, signal."

B. Turn in the written work for no less than 40-pages of the Workbook for each lesson beginning with lesson two or, if the driver has a reading disability, three devoted hours of self-study, at the start of each lesson beginning with lesson two If the Student-driver does not have the time to devote the three to four hours of self-study to complete 40-pages of self-study in preparation for each lesson beginning with lesson two, let me know and I will lengthen my estimate and guarantee accordingly.

C. Memorizes the steps for parking and three-point turn on your own time rather than use behind-the-wheel time for memory work. One student said he memorized the steps for parking and three-point turn in 30-minutes. One student said it took him nine hours. A few told me it was impossible for them to memorize yet each had memorized their name, addresses, telephone number and a host of other facts. Most students tell me it takes about 2.5 hours to memorize the steps for parking and three-point turn. It takes most students two lessons 75-minute lessons to memorize the steps for parking and three-point turn during paid training.

On the first lesson i will show you parking and three-point turn and quote the steps as I show you parking and three point turn. This visual will help you memorize the words.

Drivers who cannot memorize, think they cannot memorize or opt not to memorize the steps for parking and three point turn on their own time for FREE are invited to memorize the steps during paid driving time.

The fastest I have ever had a student memorize the steps for parking and three-point turn during paid driving time was 20-minutes. The longest was five 75-minute driving sessions. On average it takes about two 75-minute driving sessions (2.5 hours) for a driver to memorize the steps for parking and three-point turn during paid driving time.
Most students who memorize the steps on their own time for free just need to go through the motions of parking and three point turn once or twice to become proficient at parking and the three-point turn.

D. Read each evaluation (sent via email) and return it via email not later than the start of the next lesson as evidence of reading it.

If a driver does all four of the above things, I guarantee a driver will pass their selected Course of study in a specific number of lessons or I will provide one additional lesson tuition-FREE (door-to-door pick up fees, if any, still apply).

If a driver does not meet all four of the standards noted above, I guarantee driver will reach his/her driving goal in the time period I designate above plus 60%, rounded to the next lesson. One lesson becomes two, two become four, four become six, five become eight, six become nine and so on.

I used to give partial credit for partial completion of the four areas of commitment, but that became too cumbersome to keep track of. For example, what percent of a tuition-free 75-minute driving lesson would you award a driver if he memorized three of the five words (60%) in section A above, did 29% of his self-study (homework), memorized 41% of the steps for parking and three-point turn, and read and returned 80% of his email evaluations? If you averaged all of the percentages (60, 29, 41 and 80) that would be 52.5%. 52.5% of 75-minutes is 39 minutes of tuition-free training.

However, as one student rightly noted, reading the emailed evaluations and returning them takes much less time compared to the self-study and should not be weighted as much as self-study and memorizing the five words found in Section A above is so easy that the percentage applied to the formula for that task is over-rated. Another student disagreed strongly with me about the percentage of parking and three-point turn he actually memorized.

Do you see how time consuming such miniscule calculations are? I was spending more time trying to keep those percentage records accurate than I was in teaching driving skills. The tuition-free lesson is a FREE benefit. I cannot spend hours upon hours on a FREE benefit and continue to offer it for FREE. So, it is a 100% tuition-FREE lesson for a 100% compliance with the four-fold commitment. It is kind of like missing your airplane by five minutes. The airline does not give you all but five minutes of your flight. if your flight was FREE then there is nothing to refund if you missed the flight. This benefit is FREE to you. There is nothing to refund if you only do a part of the commitment.

Because I am offering to work for you for FREE, I have a right to establish the criteria under which i will work for nothing and pay the car and office expense to do so. If you want to do less or more, tell me and I will adjust my estimate accordingly.

By offering a tuition-FREE lesson for your commitment to excellence I am trying to help you succeed at the highest level, not work a part of a lesson for FREE after hours of keeping records for free.

7. WHAT IS DEFENSIVE DRIVING?
Defensive driving is driving in a manner that keeps you from becoming involved in the crashes that crash-prone drivers create.

Defensive driving is gracefully preparing for and pre-acting to possible driving dangers using 23 specific driving techniques rather than frantically reacting at the last split second in an untrained and unsafe manner to fully-developed dangers.

Defensive driving is the opposite of "aggressive driving". Aggressive drivers do not show consideration for others on the road, do not "yield their rights or their time" in order to avoid crashing or make allowances for the poor driving habits of others. Defensive drivers do these things all of the time.

The difference between an accident and a crash is that a crash is avoidable. An accident is not avoidable. There are very few driving accidents. Almost all damage to property and life and all loss of life on the roadways are easily avoidable if any one of the drivers is a defensive driver. In most cases, it takes two drivers who are untrained in defensive driving skills to have one crash.

It is wise to be that defensive driver, rather than hope that all other drivers on the road you share are skilled? (Few are!)

Defensive driving is the opposite of "automatic" driving. The automatic driver travels with his vehicle in "drive" but his mind in "neutral". A defensive driver drives with his/her mind operating to identify and respond to driving dangers BEFORE those dangers fully develop.

Defensive driving is the opposite of "tunnel driving" (looking only straight ahead). Defensive drivers know the conditions of their driving environment at all times and in every direction.

Like all learning, it is only after one acquires the skills that one can really appreciate those skills. The only individuals that feel acquiring defensive driving skills are unimportant are those that do not know defensive driving skills. Ignorance has a voice.

I have never met an individual that has graduated a defensive driving course who states that learning defensive driving skills was a waste of time or money. Neither have you!!! Only those who are ignorant about defensive driving skills belittle or decry defensive driving education/training.

8. THE DEFINITION OF A BEHIND THE WHEEL LESSON.
All driving sessions are 75-minutes in length except for the first lesson which may last 90-minutes and, if so, there is no additional charge.

9. DO WE PROVIDE A VEHICLE FOR TAKING THE STATE EXAM?
Yes, we can provide the vehicle for taking the State exam. We must be assured that a driver can drive safely before we allow a driver to use our car for his or her State exam. This requires one 75-minute lesson to make that determination.

More and necessary details are found at www.JodaCollins.com, Agreement Page, right column, pink print.

10. DO WE PROVIDE THE VEHICLE FOR TRAINING?
Yes. However, you can use your vehicle if you sign a waiver and assume all financial responsibility. It is, however, better to use your vehicle for the parking and three-point turn training for reasons which are clarified at www.JodaCollins.com, Agreement page, left column, colored print.

11. DO WE PROVIDE DOOR-TO- DOOR SERVICE?
Yes, for slightly less than one half the charge of a taxi ($1.45 per round trip mile) from a start location of 4033 Buttonbush Dr., Milton 32583.

SERVICE RADIUS
Within the State of Florida, I serve a 60-mile radius from Pensacola as long as within the State of Florida.

We train, rain or shine. The best way to learn to drive in the rain and wind, is to drive in the rain and wind.

Serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, Florida and parts of Alabama. Licensed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. School License #3996.

This is a very inexpensive website. It is not fancy but it provides the information. Because it is inexpensive, there is only 55 cents per lesson in expense to pass on to Clients and I like that.

This web site contains a huge amount of information. Those who read it are about equally divided between those who really like all the info and those who tire of reading it. If you tire of reading it, just call 850 981-3355. We will cheerfully spend as much time as you need to answer your questions.

Go to: www.jodacollins.com, call 850 981-3355 or

email JodaCollins@aol.com

THIS IS A SUMMARY OF HOW I CAN SERVE YOU

12. DO WE SERVE ALABAMA?
We can pick you up and drive you across the Florida line, train you in Florida and drive you back to your home in Alabama.

13. WHAT I DO
Telling a driver the truth about his driving allows me to good word a driver who does well and opens the door for me to help a driver with driving needs. I cannot help a driver become a better driver if I do not identify driving flaws.

I teach everyone who is able to learn including those with handicaps of all and every kind.

I teach:
A. New drivers to pass their Florida State Licensing Test.

B. Twelve safe driving skills that keep the driver from causing crashes.

C. Twenty-three defensive driving techniques that help people drive crash-free even when driving among poor drivers and in bad weather.

D. How to drive citation-free for life.

I teach:
E. Experienced and new drivers to be safer by teaching defensive driving skills.

F. People from other countries; those whose first language is not English.

G. Drivers with handicaps.

H. Those ordered by the Court system to satisfy court-ordered remedial behind-the-wheel driver’s training.

I. I provide validation of graduation for insurance companies that offer discounts for drivers that successfully complete a behind-the-wheel defensive driving course.

J. I provide evaluations" to determine if a driver is "safe behind-the-wheel".

Scroll down with side bar or click on center column and scroll down with down arrow for Contact Information.

14. WHAT I DO NOT DO.
It does you no favor if I lie to you about your driving needs and it robs you of the joy of recognizing your progress. Lying about your driving ability in order to keep from hurting your feelings can make a driver over-confident behind-the-wheel and cost that driver his or her life. I will not do it.,

I do not refund money for lessons already taken or started. I quit doing that when I had a student-driver whose grandfather demanded a full refund of $630 because at the end of the training, he felt she had not progress enough (even though her progress was well in line with the average progress of the average student and she was in all ways an average student). I refunded the money. When I told him I would refund this money, he broke out in laughter.

A few weeks later I got a call from a mother. Her last name was the same as the last name of grandfather and student driver that received a full refund (name rhymes with "stain" and starts with a "P"). After three lessons, the mother road (that is back when I allowed riders, which I do not any more, and this is one reason why). After the fourth lesson the mother said she did not like me or my teaching style. I ended up refunding half of their money paid. I can't help but think I was set up for this by the sociopath grandfather.

So, now I simply do not refund money for lessons completed or started.

15. ARE CAREFUL DRIVER SAFE?
No.  Only safe drivers are safe.  Being careful is not the same as being safe. You cannot avoid crashing by being careful. You can only avoid crashes by driving defensively. Driving defensively is a skill. Being careful is the result of driving under the influence of an emotion. "Caring," is an emotion, not a skill. Bad drivers cannot be careful enough to drive skillfully. Skillful driving is the result of training not the result of caring more.

Only perfect practice makes perfect. Drivers who have bad driving habits but are "careful" when they drive poorly are not, "safe," any more than a person jumping from a plane with a poorly packed parachute is safe if he is, "careful" during his free-fall or pulls the rip-cord with much carefulness.

"Carefulness," is not "driver's training," but a state of mind. Giving an untrained driver the keys the car and telling that driver to, "be careful," is no different than giving him an loaded gun with no more training than the admonition to, "be careful."

16. BRIEF BREAK
In some cases, there is a two or three minute break for each lesson about half way through where the driver is able to rest his or her mind. It is part of the driving safely.  This is an important safety factor. If there is a break for safety, the driving time will not extended. If, however, there is a break for any other reasons, the driving time will extended that session so the driver does not lose behind the wheel time. If we are going to be more than five minutes late, I will call.

17. CAN PARENTS (SPOUSES) RIDE DURING TRAINING?
If the training is in your car, then, of course you can ride in your car during training as you are assuming 100% of the liability when training in your car. I invite riders for lesson one, only (in my vehicle).

If a rider is needed in my vehicle some specific reason, let me know the need and I will make a decision regarding someone in the back seat during training beyond lesson one.

The crash rate with a parent or spouse in the back seat is 250% greater. Anyone can follow us to see the training from the outside of our vehicle. I will provide any client (parent, spouse) a free 10-minute driving session with client behind-the-wheel to get an idea of my teaching ability. For more details go to:
http://policyregardingriders.webs.com/ or www.policyregardingdrivers.webs.com,

18. HOURS OF OPERATION
The first lesson of the day can begin as early as 10am and the last driving session of the day can begin as late as 8:30pm, Tuesday through Saturday. If Monday is the only days you can train, I will make adjustments to meet your available time. Just ask.

19. INSURANCE DISCOUNTS
Some insurance providers give 5% to 15% discounts to drivers who have graduated a State licensed defensive driving course. Some do not. Call your insurance provider to find out.

20. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE (YOU AND I) CANNOT GET ALONG?
So far I have had a good working relationship with 968 of the 970 student-drivers I have worked with and 481 of the 485 parents, guardians, and/or spouses (clients) I have worked with. Out of the total of 1,940 people I have worked with in this business (student-drivers and clients), I have not gotten along with six people.

A person has to work really hard at not getting along with me. Tell me what you want and if it is within my power and within any parameters of reason, I will do it. Tell me what you do not like about me and I won't do it again. Tell me what I can do to better please you and I will give it my best effort to do it. How much more could any person do?

If we cannot get along, we part company. However, I will not refund money paid for lessons already taken or already started.

Life is too short to endure the ongoing discomfort of trying to work with people who are devoted to failure in that working relationship.

I do not get along with narcissists, sociopaths or psychopaths because the only way to get along with them is to be their spittoon. I refuse.

If you have one of these fowl people in your life, goto http://www.lulu.com/shop/joda-collins/dealing-with-the-demonic/paperback/product-20198023.html

Every one of the six people I could not get along with refused to read carefully the working agreement that they signed and then got upset with me because I did exactly what I said I would do in the working agreement or I expected them to do what the working agreement stated was their responsibility.

21. STATE EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS TO SECURE A DRIVER'S LICENSE.
A driver who can do the following should expect to easily pass the State driving exam.

A. Drive safely and gracefully at speeds of up to 35mph in 45mph zones, including lane changes, left and right turns including the proper use of turn and deceleration lanes and safely negotiate all intersections.

B. Drive safely in a parking lot and in a residential section.

C. Not crash or break any traffic law.

D. Demonstrate control of the vehicle in accord with State requirements while driving in reverse.

E. Accomplish a safe quick start, quick stop and backing ability.

F. Answer correctly any questions asked by the State Examiner about safe-legal driving.

22.  THE FINANCIAL VALUE OF SELF-STUDY
The value of self-study is about $50 per 75-minute lesson.

Do not pay me money for necessary things you can learn on your own time for free!

I have invested about 1,400 hours in separating what can be learned about safe-defensive driving (and/or passing the State driving exam) from a book from what can only be learned about safe-defensive driving (and/or passing the State driving exam) behind-the-wheel.

I have a workbook that contains everything that can be learned about safe driving (and/or passing the State driving exam) from a book. Student-drivers that avail themselves to these printed resources spend, on average, 35% to 50% less time behind the wheel and learn the same driving skills as Student-drivers who do not read the printed material.

For more information go to www.LuLu.com/Spotlight/JodaCollins and download (free) any book that is about driving There are five. All five may not appear on the first page of that web site.

23. DRIVING AT NIGHT
Some things about night time driving cannot be taught in the daylight. Everything about daylight driving can be taught after sundown. Drivers with a permit for more than 90-days can take lessons after sundown and will always be better prepared for all driving conditions than drivers that only train in the sunlight. I do not "promote" night driving beyond making this statement. If you desire a night driving session, let me know.

24.   WHY IS THERE A CHARGE FOR DOOR-TO -DOOR SERVICE?
It costs money to drive my car and I get paid for my time.
No driving school provides free door-to-door service. Either the expense for door-to-door service is added to the price of the driving lessons and spread across the expense to all clients or the clients that use door-to-door service are charged for that service. My policy is that I only charge those who use door-to-door service for the service.

Driving my car, paying myself a living wage and covering my business expenses are all accomplished by the per minute use of my time and the per mile charge for using my vehicle. I have no other source of income. If I invest my time in you and drive my car for you, I incur expenses. In most cases my door to door pick up charge is a fraction of what it would cost to begin lessons at my normal starting location, a business at the Intersection of I-10 and Exit 26 in Milton.

Schools that "do not charge" for door to door service have increased charges to everyone to cover the expense of providing the door to door service. If I offered "free" door to door service, everyone would take advantage of that service. My standard 75-minute driving lesson would take, on average, twice as long. I would be spending 50% of my work time on the road for free. My car would wear out, at least twice as fast, maintenance expense for the vehicle would double. I would have to increase my prices to cover the expense as no one in business works 50% of the time for free while doubling major expenses.

The charge for door-to-door service is slightly less than 50% of what a taxi would charge. It is $1.45 per round trip mile just off of Interstate 10 at Exit 26, Milton, 32583.

Taxi companies make 14% profit. By charging 50% of what a taxi charges you can see that I am charging less for my door-to-door service than what it costs me to provide it.

My arrival time is within one minute of the promised time rather than the 45-minute window offered by most taxi services.

25. IS THERE A CONTRACT TO SIGN?
It is against the State law for driving schools to have any verbal agreements with drivers or clients. Every part of everything that is considered a "commitment" on the part of someone. Most driving schools have very brief Contracts. They read, "X number of lessons. X number of dollars. No refunds. And there are statements to protect the company from lawsuits."

However since I have a liberal refund policy, give discounts when certain conditions are met, provide guarantees, offer up to $900 in free services and more, my Contract (Working Agreement) is long. Thank you for reading it carefully. You can find it on the AGREEMENT page of my web site (www.JodaCollins.com).

I am happy to provide a simplified Working Agreement to anyone who asks that just states, "X number of lesson for $X dollars. No refunds. Plus, a few statements that protect us."

I must have that signed Working Agreement in hand the day before the first driving lesson can take place. You can :

1. Fax it to 850 981-3355,

2. Mail it (allow five business days for

delivery from date of postmark), hand carry it, sign it electronically and return it email, I can

3 Email it to you or to any Office Depot, UPS Store, Staples Office Store, Office Depot or Office Max where they will print it for you, you sign it and they fax it to me. The cost is about $5.00. You bring the receipt to me and I reimburse you in full. You must provide to me the address and the phone number of the store so I can email the info to the store. You must tell me what day you are going to the store as they will hold the email for you for one full day.

4. Return it signed electronically (that is, just type in your name in the signature section) and we will signs the same form personally upon our first meeting.

Before the first driving lesson begins, I will need 15 minutes with the driver and the client's undivided attention to cover the most important details of the Working Agreement to ensure understanding of mutual responsibilities.

26. I signed but did not read the Working Agreement. Now that there is a problem because I did not read the Working Agreement, can I be held accountable for what I think the Working Agreement should have stated rather than what it actually stated?

This is my sixth year in business. I have refused service to two people because I deemed them to be sociopaths.

Beyond those two, I have had a strained working relationship with eight people of the approximately 2,700 drivers and clients.

Every one of those eight had two things in common. Everyone of them signed the Working Agreement without reading it.

None of the eight read the Working Agreement. Every one of the eight got upset with me over something that was clearly stated in the Working Agreement.

I have never had a strained working relationship with a driver, spouse or parent who read the Working Agreement.

However,
To best be sure that there is not a number nine person that is upset with me, the following requirements are established from this day, December 11, 2012, forward.

1. The Working Agreement must be signed and returned to me via fax, mail, in person or email (electronic signature followed by a personal signature at our first meeting).

2. I meet 15 minutes before the start of the first driving session to cover the Working Agreement with all who are required to sign (which is the driver, even if under 18 and the financially responsible individual).

3. I am willing to consider altering anything on the Working Agreement, upon request, except for changes that cost me time and/or money.

27. I MISREAD THE WORKING AGREEMENT AND NOW I HAVE A PROBLEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Talk with me (Joda Collins) and let's solve the problem.

28. WHERE ARE THE DRIVER LICENSES OFFICES?
Goto: http://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/escambia.html

and/or

http://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/santarosa.html

For directions and/or address in Escambia County call 472-0031. For Santa Rosa County call 983-1800.

To contact me,
call 850 981-3355, emailJodaCollins@aol.com or go to the bottom of the column to the far left to email from this page.

The web site below this paragraph brings together relevant information on a variety of topical subjects including tips on teenage driving and refresher courses for the mature driver.
http://www.trafficschools123.com

For no door-to-door pick up fee, unless otherwise agreed on or directed, the second and all following lessons begin at the intersection of I-10 and Exit 26, Milton 32583.

From Pensacola
Take I-10 East over the Escambia Bay Bridge. Drive past Exit 22. Take the next exit which is Exit 26. Turn left at first stop sign. The Dollar General Store is the first building on your left. Mr. Collins will be in the first car on your left as you enter the only entrance to this small store.

From Pace
Take Highway 90 West towards Milton. Stay on Hwy 90 until you see First Baptist Church on the left side. Take a right at the traffic light just past First Baptist Church (Canal Street). Stay on Canal street until you see an Elementary School on your left and a church on your right at a four-way stop. Make a right at the four-way stop. The Dollar General Store is the last building on your right before the Interstate 10, West entrance. I will be in the first vehicle on your left as you enter the only parking lot entrance to this small business.

From Milton (near I-10)
Take Highway 10 towards Exit 26 (Milton/Bagdad Exit). At the first intersection turn North towards Bagdad. The Dollar General Store is the first building on your left. I will be in the first vehicle on your left as you enter the only parking lot entrance to this small business.

From Milton (near Hwy 90)
Take Highway 90 towards downtown Milton. Take a right at the traffic light just past First Baptist Church (Canal Street). Stay on Canal street until you see an Elementary School on your left and a church on your right at a four-way stop. Make a right at the four-way stop. The Dollar General Store is the last building on your right before the Interstate 10, West entrance. I will be in the first vehicle on your left as you enter the only parking lot entrance to this small business.

From Gulf Breeze (near the toll bridge)
Take toll bridge towards Milton. Take Interstate 10 East. Take first Exit (Exit 26). Turn left at the first stop sign. The Dollar General Store is the first building on your left. I will be in the first vehicle on your left as you enter the only parking lot entrance to this small business.

From Navarre and Gulf Breeze (near Hwy 87)
Take Hwy 87 North towards Interstate 10. Take Interstate 10 West towards Pensacola. Take Exit 26. Bear right at the first intersection. The Dollar General Store is the first building on your left. I will be in the first vehicle on your left as you enter the only parking lot entrance to this small business.

Email:

AVAILABLE START TIMES

AVAILABLE START TIMES FOR APPOINTMENTS

1. A lesson can begin and end any place you desire.

2. For no pick-up fee, unless otherwise directed or agreed upon, I can begin the first lesson at the McDonalds, located at 2807 Avalon Blvd, Milton.  This is at the Intersection of Interstate 10 and Exit 22, Milton, 32583.

For no pick-up fee, the second and following lessons begin in the parking lot of the Dollar General Store, 3815 Garcon Point Road, Milton. This is at the Intersection of Interstate 10 and Exit 26, Milton, 32583.

Specific directions to the start location for lessons two and following will be provided to you at the end of your first driving lesson or you can find it using www.mapquest.com and the address 3815 Garcon Point Road, Milton 32583.

Address Street 2:

Driving directions to the start location for lesson two and following.

CALL TODAY

From Milton (near Hwy 90)
Take Hwy 90 West towards Pace.Turn left on Avalon Blvd (at the PJC entrance). McDonalds is on your right, one block before I-10.

From Gulf Breeze (near the toll bridge)
Take toll bridge North towards I-10. McDonalds is immediately on your left as you go under the 1-10 overpass.

From Navarre and Gulf Breeze (near Hwy 87)
Take Hwy 87 North. Take I-10 East. Take Exit 26. At the stop sign, turn right. McDonalds is immediately on your left.

My Specialty and Business Structure

I find out what your driving goal is (or goals are) and after the first driving lesson I tell you how many more lessons, if any, will be needed to reach your goal(s). I provide that estimate as a "Limited Guarantee." My "Guarantee" is that if by the end of the number of lessons I suggest, you do not feel you have reached your driving goal, then I add one additional 75-minute training session at no tuition charge. Door-to-Door fee, if any, still applies.

Business Philosophy
My business is Client-based and Driver-based. If you are ever less than happy with me or my service, tell me and I will do everything in my power to make you happy.

FREE Training
Every student receives $200 to $800 in free behind-the-wheel and/or "in-car" training. See "FREE" page of this website for full information.

Training Materials
All training materials are free (download) or in paper copy which can be used free ($20 refundable deposit required) or purchased.

How Long Does Training Take?
How long training takes depends on the kind of training you desire. Some desire only X number of hours in order to satisfy insurance companies requirements for insurance discounts. In that case, the training takes the exact number of hours you requested.

For drivers who are seeking a specific degree of driving skill, once a driver is able to drive with reasonable safety in the right lane of a two-lane road with traffic flowing in the same direction and can make safe and legal right turns, for most drivers, I can teach that driver to:

       1. Pass the State Driving Exam at the lowest skill level in one 75-minute lesson.
       2. Pass the State Driving Exam at a confident skill level in two 75-minute lessons.
       3. Pass the State Driving Exam at a confident skill level and
              3B. Drive without causing crashes in three to four 75-minute lessons.
       4. Pass the State Driving Exam at a confident skill level and
              4B. Drive without causing crashes and
              4C. Drive without becoming involved in the crashes that crash-prone drivers cause in five to six 75- minute lessons.

Note: I define an average driver as one who reads English at a 9th grade level, is motivated to learn, will do some self-study between lessons, remembers the major rules of the road from his or her written exam study, has normal IQ and has no mental, emotional or learning disabilities that will slow his or her progress behind-the-wheel.

If you are here to check the available start times, read this section. If not, go to Section Two.

Email your request to JodaCollins@aol.com or call 850 981-3355.

SECTION TWO: