Policies and Procedural Guidance page

Starting your First Behind-The-Wheel Lesson

Your assigned Behind-The-Wheel Driving Instructor will contact you within a couple days of your requesting to Schedule Lessons to decide where and when to meet you; your front door or another meeting point. (There is a slight upcharge for anything 10 minutes or more from Apple Valley)

Cancellations/Reschedules

There is a 48-hour cancellation/reschedule policy. You must contact your Driving Instructor directly to cancel or reschedule at least 48-hours in advance to avoid a $30 fee in most circumstances. This must be paid prior to earning a White Card (E-Card), which is required to move forward to earn a Provisional License. If one our instructors has to cancel, we will notify you in advance and provide the option to reschedule or drive with another instructor. Sometimes it is necessary to cancel lessons due to poor and potentially unsafe driving conditions, we will communicate clearly as poor weather events approach. Please be respectful and honor our time commitment, we will honor yours. Contact SMDS with questions.

Payments/Refunds

Once a payment is made, your information will loaded into the State DMV System by South Metro Driving School on the following Wednesday or Sunday, whichever is sooner. You can Contact SMDS to receive a full refund BEFORE your information is submitted to the State DMV System by SMDS and you have received your Blue Card (E-Card) via email. However, once your information has been loaded into the system you can no longer receive a refund.  Contact SMDS with questions.

Accidents

South Metro Driving School has insurance and our cars are equipped with the TEENSAFE Passenger Brake System. Our Driving Instructors are trained to use the brake or grab the steering wheel to avoid collisions. Clear verbal commands and commentary driving are the most effective tools used by SMDS instructors to avoid crashes.  We spend a lot of time on the roadways and accidents during lessons are rare.

Scheduling

Students will be contacted by their assigned Driver Instructor within a week to connect and plan Behind-The-Wheel Lessons once you have indicated you want to Schedule Lessons. You will schedule the dates, times, and pick-up locations directly with your Driving Instructor. Our goal at SMDS is to schedule and complete Behind-The-Wheel Lessons within 1 to 2 months of when the student indicates they would like to schedule lessons. We guarantee you will complete your lessons within 4 months of requesting to Schedule Lessons.  We anticipate high potential demand beginning in November of 2025 and plan to hire Driving Instructors as necessary.  Visit the BTW Scheduling page for more info.

Enrolling with South Metro Driving School

If you are ready to get started; make sure you have your 1) Classroom Completion Letter, 2) Are ready to make a payment, and are 3) Almost 15 years old. Click Here to Enroll Now.

Scheduling Behind-The-Wheel Lessons

If you are ready to start Behind-The-Wheel Lessons; make sure you 1) Have passed the Knowledge Test, 3) Have received your Instruction Permit (paper copy is OK), and 3) Already have a couple hours of driving under adult supervision, Click Here to Schedule Behind-The-Wheel.

Customer Service

We promise to do our best to respond to all inquires, requests, and submissions to push the proper information forward in a responsible, diligent, and timely method to help you achieve your driving goals. In certain circumstances, things need to be expedited and if that is your case - please let Contact Us.