JOL Requirements (Under 18)

Our foremost interest is driver safety.  Driving the right way will save you thousands of dollars in insurance and will help you to avoid dangerous accidents and costly citations.  A Driver's License is a privilege that must be earned and it can be taken away if used recklessly.  

All certified driving schools in Massachusetts must follow the approved curriculum:

• 12 hours of behind-the-wheel driving* 
• 6 hours of observation (in the driving school vehicle with another student driving)* 
• 30 hours of classroom instruction
• Parent Class (2 hours - valid for 5 years) *must be completed prior scheduling the on road training/observation effective May 1st, 2019
• 40 hours of driving under parental supervision. (Graduates of our "Christo's Kids" Skid School program require only 30 hours of driving under parental supervision instead of 40) 

Unlicensed students over the age of 18 are not required to complete a Drivers' Education program but we do offer private lessons for adults.

Many parents are surprised by how much the requirements have changed since they first got their licenses.  The new rules can be confusing for both parents and students, 

but here are the most important items:

► Teenagers are allowed to begin a Drivers' Education class at 15 years, 9 months (A Learner's Permit is not required to begin class instruction).

► At 16, a student may go to their nearest RMV and take both a Learner's Permit test and a vision test to obtain their Learner's Permit.  The Learner's Permit test has 25 questions and students must get 18 questions correct to pass.  The cost of the test is $30 and students must provide proof of identification and proof of their social security number, as well as Massachusetts Residency.

► While it's not necessary, we highly recommend students prepay for their License ($85) at the same time they pay for their Learner's Permit Test, or at least prior to taking their final Road Test. Our Road Tests are offered on Saturdays and if students have prepaid, they will be considered a licensed driver immediately after passing the test.  Those who have not paid, will remain permitted drivers until the License Fee is paid at the RMV.

► Students wishing to get their Driver's License before the age of 18 must complete* 30 hours of classroom instruction, 12 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, 6 hours of observation with an instructor, 40 hours of driving with parents (or a person who is 21 years of age who has had a valid Massachusetts license for one year).  *Please note that the Driver's Education Program must be completed within 2 years from start date.*

► Students who attend our “Christo's Kids” Skid School program need only complete 30 hours of driving under parental supervision instead of 40.

► A parent or guardian must attend a two-hour parent class at their child's driving school (Effective May 1st, 2019 this must be completed in order to schedule the on the road driving lessons once the permit is obtained).  This class is valid for the parent or guardian for a period of five years. (Our parent classes are offered in our Acton, Northboro and Sudbury locations.  Please see these pages for schedules)

► Students must have their learner's permit for a minimum of 184 days (about six months) before they can test for their license.

► Final step: Take (and pass!) the road test.