Question 1

What is the basic 'spiel' you give?

Accepted Answer

Basically we get teens and adults behind the wheel of a car for the first time, spending a few hours with them and doing all of the scary dangerous stuff with them, so you don’t have to... :-D

We’ve found that the average student takes between 6 and 8 hours of lessons with us, before we feel comfortable giving them back to their family to drive with – you certainly don’t need us just sitting there being a sack of potatoes, if they know what they are doing!

The first lesson is usually an hour, and we are going to cover residential areas and maybe a straight road or two, just so we get used to each other, the process and the vehicle. The second lesson is 90 minutes and we go into parking. Usually its four different ways – left, right, and backing in two ways.

After that lesson we just ramp it up to rural roads, busier roads, heavy traffic, mall, movie theater, merging, lane changes and then the interstate. When they are ready to take their driving test, we have a DMV Prep that goes over everything that is going to be expected of them; so we really cover everything from after they get their permit, until they get their license.

I’ve tried to make the process as simple as possible, so basically when you think you’d like to see us – go ahead and schedule an appointment online from our website ( http://www.alafiadrivingacademy.com ) or booking page ( http://alafiadrivingacademy.setmore.com ) and we’ll just show up!  There is a little bit of paperwork to fill out, we’ll take a picture of the learner’s permit, and off we go!

Our pricing is located here. We generally require 90 minutes for the lessons after the first one, just so we can range further and cover more topics. Our 10 hour package is pretty popular, and it gives us time to cover everything that will help the student get on the road safely – from Residential Areas to Interstate Driving. We are NOT going to turn them into perfect drivers! That will take years of experience - but we do give them a taste of everything out there.

As I said earlier, the average student is usually ready to give back to the family to chauffeur around after about 6-8 hours. Usually at that point we are fairly confident in them… But we’ll let you know with an after lesson report and GPS track of where we went, and we’ll let you know how they did.

If they’re ready after 8 hours or so, we can bank the remaining time until just before they are ready to test, and we can do a DMV Prep to show them what they will be tested on, as well as all sorts of helpful hints.

Question 2

What are Florida's Requirements to drive if you are a teenager?

Accepted Answer

Requirements for Teens Obtaining a Florida Learner’s License
Must be at least 15 years old;
If under 18 years old, must have a signed/notarized Parental Consent Form (step-parents may not sign unless they have legally adopted the minor child);
Proof of Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course completion;
Pass a vision and hearing test – testing is conducted in a service center;
Pass Class E Knowledge Exam;
Prepare for the exam by studying the Official Florida Driver License Handbook 
Testing options 
The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions about traffic laws and traffic signs. The passing score is 80 percent or 40 out of 50 questions; and

Must provide documents needed to establish proof of identity, proof of social security number and proof of residential address. Please visit flhsmv.gov/WhatToBring for a list of acceptable documents.

Question 3

What does GDL mean?

Accepted Answer

Short "English Version":
A GDL (Graduated Driver Licensing) means that it takes time and effort to get a full license.

Longer Version:
According to Florida's DMV (Licensing Requirements for Teens - Graduated Driver Licensing) page, there are several steps involved.

To get your Permit:
Proof that you completed a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course or a license from any state, country, or jurisdiction, and Parental Consent Form, which must be signed in the presence of a driver license examiner or notarized if parent or guardian will not be present. If you are under 18 and are not married, one parent or legal guardian must sign your license application. Step-parents may not sign unless they have legally adopted you.
Documents needed to establish your proof of identity, proof of social security number (if issued), and proof of residential address.

But wait, that's not all!:
The you get to 'test'...
A Written Test covering the following areas:
Road Rules - 20 multiple choice questions about traffic laws - must have 15 correct answers to pass.
Road Signs - 20 multiple choice questions about road signs - must have 15 correct answers to pass.
Vision Test using an eye machine. To pass, you must have 20/40 (or better) vision in each and both eyes, with or without corrective lenses.
Hearing Test

Make sure your teen studies the Florida Driver Handbook - most teens could pass the 'Signs' test - but how many know teens could answer "Who has the right-of-way in Florida?"
(The answer is no one! The law only says who must yield (give up) the right-of-way. Every driver, motorcyclist, moped rider, bicyclist and pedestrian must do everything possible to avoid a crash.)

When your teen successfully acquires their permit:
Only drive during daylight hours during the first three months and until 10 p.m. thereafter. Always with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat.

Then to finally receive your Official Florida Class E Drivers License:
You are eligible one year after you receive your permit (or turn 18) to return to the DMV with
A Florida Learner's License or a license from another jurisdiction.
Parent or guardian certification that you have at least 50 hours of behind the wheel driving experience, of which 10 hours must be at night.

THEN you may take the DMV Road Test!

Question 4

Do you offer the Drugs, Alcohol, Traffic, Awareness (DATA) course or Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education Course (TLSAE)?"

Accepted Answer

Yes! You may access it here!

Question 5

What is the difference between the DATA and TLSAE Course?

Accepted Answer

Nothing.
There is no difference. Officially named the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE), this driver education course is still commonly referred to as the Drug, Alcohol, Traffic Awareness (DATA) course. Regardless the name, the 4 hour course is for individuals who have never had a Driver's License in the State of Florida. 
Courses are commonly known as:
DATA (drugs, alcohol, traffic, awareness)
DATE (drugs, alcohol, traffic education)
TLSAE (traffic law substance abuse education)

Question 6

Do you offer any online programs?

Accepted Answer

Yes we do! They are located on this page.

Question 7

Are students required to have a license prior to registering with the Alafia Driving Academy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 
Students must first obtain a Learner Permit (Or also called a Learner's License) before the start of their program. A Florida Learner's License can be obtained at the age of 15, after completing the DATA course. Please visit this page for more learner's license requirements.

Question 8

Will participating in your courses lower my insurance rates?

Accepted Answer

It's a 'Definite Maybe'. 
No driving school can guarantee reduced insurance rates. We suggest you contact your insurance company and ask specifically what they will require, prior to registering.

We are a State Licensed Driving School and our vehicles are properly registered and commercially insured (your insurance company will want to know).

Question 9

When is someone going to do SOMETHING about texting and driving?!?!?!?

Accepted Answer

As of July 1st, 2019 it is now a Primary Offence to Text and Drive. 
You can google it, or check out this random article.

Question 10

Where are you physically located?

Accepted Answer

We are based out of the Bloomingdale/Valrico area, however at the Alafia Driving Academy, we come to you. We have purposely chosen not to invest in a private stand-alone office to avoid passing on the overhead charges to our students.

Question 11

What kind of vehicle will the student drive at the Alafia Driving Academy?

Accepted Answer

As of January 2025, we have nine vehicles in our fleet.  
We primary use dual controlled Mazda CX5s and Kia Sportages, and a Honda Accord Sedan for the manual transmission classes.

Question 12

Am I required to take a driver education course to obtain my driver’s license?

Accepted Answer

Nope.
The only courses you are REQUIRED to take is the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Courses (TLSAE), then pass the Permit Exam before you receive your driver's permit. Or, if you are over 18 pass the TLSAE and you can take the Driving Skills test right away.

Question 13

What is a "30 and 6" driver education course?"

Accepted Answer

A “30 and 6” driver education course is the traditional course consisting of at least 30 hours of instruction in a classroom environment and six hours of behind-the-wheel training conducted by a certified instructor that coaches the student and observes his or her driving performance.

The Alafia Driving Academy does not offer traditional courses, so we would be the "6" part.

The funny thing is that no-one seems to know who came up with that criteria! There is literally no way someone can learn to drive in just six hours!

Question 14

Can I smoke in the car?

Accepted Answer

NO!
 
In the state of Florida, if you are convicted of possession of tobacco products before the age of 18, you driving privileges will be suspended.
Shame on you!

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