Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I bring my children to class?
No. We often have multiple classes going on and customers taking tests, children can be a large distraction for those participating in classes and testing. Please keep your children at home.
- Do you offer a military or senior discount?
No. As a small business, we do not have the necessary infrastructure to offer such discounts at this time.
- Why do I have to pay if the DMV says I must take a class?
Because nothing in life is free.
- How do I sign up for/pay for classes?
Go to the page for the class you would like to take. You can find it under COURSES in the top left corner of this website. Scroll down until you see a Registration Form. Fill out the form completely. After you submit the form, follow the link to PAYPAL in order to make your payment. You do not need a Paypal account, you can choose to pay by credit card. Click ‘Pay as guest’.
- How do I get my suspended license back?
You must take the Driver Improvement Program then appear at DMV with the certificate you received. You will then pay a fine and your license may be reinstated, at the discretion of the DMV.
- I’m an adult and need to get my license for the first time, what do I do?
You must first obtain a Learner’s Permit. The only requirement for Adults is that they hold the Learner’s Permit for 60 days. Adults are meant to learn to drive in this period of time. Adults are not required to take Drivers Education or Behind the Wheel. After the 60 day period has expired, they may take the Road Test at DMV.
- Can I schedule 2 sessions a day to finish quicker?
No. You can schedule ONE session per day and at your instructors discretion.
- Can I start Behind the Wheel before I finish Drivers Education?
If you are doing Online Drivers Education, you may not schedule for Behind the Wheel until you have taken and passed the final exam for Drivers Education.
- Can parents ride along?
Parents do not ride along with instructors and students. DMV prohibits parents being in the car when Behind the Wheel is being taught. The presence of a parent often increases anxiety in the student. The 45 hours of required driving is the time when parents should be observing their child behind the wheel.
- Where is the 12 Hour Class on the Website?
There is no 12 hour class. You need to take the 8 Hour DIP class and the 4 Hour Reckless/Aggressive Program. Together, these two courses are the 12 hour program that you’ve been asked to take.
- I have to take DIP and Reckless, which order do I take them in?
There is no requirement to take one before the other. You may take them in any order. Most people do take 8 Hour DIP first but this is not required.
- Is Lunch provided during the 8 hour DIP? Where can I get food
We do not provide lunch. You will be given a lunch period around midday, the length of that lunch break is at the discretion of the instructor. Each of our locations is central and has food options close by. If you are unable to drive, we advise you to pack a lunch to bring with you to class.
- Is the Online DIP program accepted by courts?
Sometimes. There are some county courts and judges that will not accept the online certificate of completion and require that the DIP class be taken in person. If you are taking the DIP class for an upcoming court date, we advise that you speak to your attorney before taking the online program. They can give you better advice on whether or not the online certificate will be accepted. If you are completing the DIP program for the +5 Safe Driving Points, the online program is fine if you are 20+ years old.
- Why can’t I take the 4 hour course online?
There is no online version of this course that is recognized by the courts.
- Can I get +5 Points for the 4 hour course?
No. The DMV does not recognize this course and it exists only for court purposes. If you are ordered to take a 12 hour course, you will take both the 4 hour course and the 8 hour course.
- What happens if I ignore the DMV letter?
Your license will be suspended on the date stated in the DMV letter. There is no work-around and no excuse will be accepted by the DMV as to why you weren’t able to take the class on time. They do not care about your packed schedule, your school responsibilities or even your vacation plans and are under no legal requirement to waive your suspension or provide you an extension. If you are deployed for military service, you must inform your commanding officer who may request an extension on your behalf with the DMV.
- What reason do I put on the form?
You can choose either Court Ordered, Voluntary or DMV. You choose the one that applies. If a court has ordered you to take the class, you must choose Court. If you have not been ordered but are taking the class prior to a court appearance, then it is a voluntary course. If you have received a letter from the DMV ordering you to take the DIP course, then you choose DMV. If you did not receive a letter and have not appeared in court, the reason is almost always voluntary.
- Can I leave early if I finish all of the work?
No. You may not leave early, no matter how quickly you finish the work. Re-Exam is not meant to be a fun time. We are trying to prepare you to take the test at the DMV and to PASS it. That means you have to do the work and put in the study time. We have a variety of work that will keep you busy.
- If I wait until I am 18, then I won’t have to take re-exam to get my license?
No. The requirement for re-exam never expires. If you have failed the exam 3 times while under 18, it will not disappear when you come of age. You will still need to take re-exam to ever be allowed to take the test at DMV again.
- Can I take Re-Exam in my native language?
Re-Exam is only taught in English and Spanish at this time. While the DMV offers the permit and knowledge tests in many languages, the re-exam program is only taught in Spanish and English.
- Can all students take Online Driver’s Education or is it only for home-school kids?
All students can take Drivers Education online. While it was true some years ago that only home-schooled students could take the online program, this is no longer the case in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- I found an online version of the 90 Minute Parent/Teen Course, will that be accepted?
No student in Planning District 8 (Fairfax County, Loudon County, Arlington County, Prince William County and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas & Manassas Park) is permitted to take the 90 minute Parent Teen Course online. We will not accept any certificate for an online course, nor will the DMV. The Vadets online Parent/Teen video is not acceptable for anyone residing in Planning District 8. This information is available on the DMV Website, the FCPS website as well as our website. It is not permitted and will not be accepted.
- Don’t I have to take Driver’s Education before I can get a Learner’s Permit?
No. You are not required to have any sort of training before getting a Learner’s Permit. Once you are 15 years and 6 months old, you may go to the DMV and take the Learner’s Permit test. The questions are based on the Drivers Manual that is available for free at every DMV. The only questions that appear on the test will be in the Drivers Manual. Public Schools often tell students that they have to take Drivers Education first, this is FALSE and is a persistent myth.
- Can I take the classroom books home and do some of the classwork at home?
No. Students are not allowed to take materials home. They must complete the classroom course at the Driving Academy and complete their required hours in the classroom at either Tysons or Herndon.
- Why can’t I do Adult Waiver without 12 hours of driving practice in the United States?
The Adult Waiver program is not for new drivers. This program does not teach you to drive. It is for Adults who already have driving experience and who do not wish to wait the required 60 day period. If you do not know how to drive, the 60 day period is there so that you can learn the required skills to pass the DMV Road Test.
- The DMV told me that I don’t have to wait to get my license, they didn’t say anything about qualifying for the program.
The DMV tells most people over 18 about the Adult Waiver Program. They do not know whether or not you will qualify for the program, they simply know that the option exists.
- How can you tell if I have 12 Hours of Experience?
An inexperienced driver cannot hide their inexperience. AA Driving Academy Instructors are extremely well versed at recognizing and teaching inexperienced drivers. They will know, they will not allow you to continue in this program if you are not already an experienced driver.
- I don’t want to do the Road Test at the DMV.
The Road Test that AA Driving Academy administers is the exact same as the one given by the DMV. We will not pass you because you have paid us money. You will not get an easier time because you paid money. It is literally the same test.