parental orientation

The total cost of our courses depends on whether you're enrolling in the 30-Hour Course or the 14-Hour Course, as well as your eligibility for the Road Skills Test. Here's a breakdown:

• For the 30-Hour Course: $450
  • Classroom Portion: $125
  • Behind the Wheel (BTW) Portion: $325
  • + Road Skills Test (when eligible): $40

Payment Options: We offer convenient payment options. You can pay for each portion (classroom and BTW) separately if you prefer. However, please note that no student will be allowed to book BTW time until all fees have been paid.

If you haven't already booked a class, you can easily do so by visiting scheduling page here.

Yes;

1. To attend the Classroom portion of the Driver Education course, students must be a minimum of 14 years & 9 months old, and be in the 8th grade or above.
   
2. Students must be at least 15 years old before they can begin the 8-hour Behind the Wheel training course.  

(HDA will allow students to attend the classroom portion at 14 years & 9 months.)

The Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) was implemented statewide in Louisiana on 9/4/2018. 

A TIP card must be obtained from an actual state Office of Motor Vehicle location. The purpose of the temporary instructional permit card is to prove to a Louisiana based driving school that the person has had his or her identity verified by the Office of Motor Vehicles and has addressed any sort of medical conditions that could prevent a person from being in the driver seat of a vehicle. 

Lastly, the TIP card also provides permission for the driving school to conduct the behind-the-wheel training for an individual. It is required that the TIP card is to remain in the possession of the person when operating a motor vehicle during the behind-the-wheel training and during the administration of the road skills driving test. 

The temporary instructional permit does not allow for any person to drive in a vehicle with a licensed driver. ­This permit is only for the use of being able to drive with a licensed driving instructor while attending a driver’s educational course. 

Once the person has completed his or her driver’s education course, the temporary instructional permit card will need to be surrendered to the Office of Motor Vehicles in order to obtain a learner’s permit or a driver’s license. The temporary instructional permit can be issued to any person 14 years of age and above.

1. Visit the Louisiana OMV website at https://www.expresslane.org/Pages/default.aspx.
   
2. Select "Book Appointment"
   
3. Select "Get Started"
   
4. Navigate to the OMV office location you want to make an appointment and follow the prompts to make an appointment for a "First Time Drivers License" to get the TIP card.

There is also a button at the bottom of this page to schedule an appointment with the OMV to get your T.I.P. Card.

• T.I.P. Card; (Students may attend without a TIP but cannot take any tests)
• Phone/Tablet & Charger (Used for interactive elements of class ONLY - We have devices that students can use if they do not have one.)
• Pen, paper, highlighters, ect. 
• Food, drink, snacks, lunch money. (We typically have some snacks and drinks in the classroom. We also have a microwave and refrigerator that stuends are welcomed to use.)

 During the classroom portion of our course, we schedule designated lunch breaks for minor students. If you would like to give your child permission to leave campus during lunch, you may indicate this by checking the box on the Enrollment Form.

For those students who choose to remain on campus during lunch:

• We have a microwave and a refrigerator available for students to use.
• Parents or family members may bring lunch to the student during lunchtime if desired.
• Food delivery services may also be used.

We want to emphasize that while we grant permission for minor students to leave campus during lunch, the responsibility for their safety and punctual return to class rests entirely with them. The school shall not be held liable for any incidents or delays that may occur during this period.

If you have any more questions or if there's anything else you'd like to know, please feel free to reach out. 

The school offers make-up days for students who miss classroom sessions, provided they reschedule within 180 days of their original planned course start date, subject to availability and school approval. 

All students must participate in all of the required hours of course time and may not be tardy. If a student misses any of the course time, the same content must be made up at a later time before the course can be passed. The OMV requires the student to attend the same portion of the class that was missed during a furture scheduled class. 

If the student knows that they will miss a portion of the class, inform the Office Staff during registration or on the first day of class so that they may assist you in scheduling a make-up day on a future class date.

At Hinton Driving Academy, we have a dress code in place to ensure safety and comfort during our courses. Please take note of the following guidelines:

Classroom Dress Code:

• In the classroom, we want students to be comfortable while maintaining a respectful appearance.
• Attire such as jeans, shorts, capris, etc., are perfectly acceptable for classroom sessions.
• However, if an instructor or staff member feels that a student's attire is inappropriate, they may kindly request the student to return after changing.

Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Dress Code:

• During the behind-the-wheel (BTW) portion of the course, safety is our top priority.
• We ask that students do not wear backless shoes, such as slides or flip-flops, during BTW lessons.
• Suitable footwear with closed toes and secure heels is required to ensure proper control while driving.

Minor students will be provided with a printed copy of the LA Driving Manual to keep, while adult students will receive a digital copy. Additional copies can be purchased from the Hinton Driving Academy or downloaded for free here. 

The HDA Staff will schedule your BTW Training once the student is eligible.

Eligiblity Requirements: 

• Minimum 15 Years Old
• Parental Consent (If Minor)
• Classroom Hours Complete
• Knowledge Test Passed (80%+)

The BTW portion will be completed in 2-4 hour increments within the 90-120 days follwowing completion of the classroom portion. All students must have 8-Hours of documented BTW Training to be eligible for Road Skills Test and Licensures. 

Typically students complete in 2-4 weeks. If you need your license faster, speak with the Office Staff about utilzing tools such as our waiting list to get on the schedule faster.

Rest assured, your child will NOT need to provide their own vehicle for training. 

At Hinton Driving Academy, we exclusively use our school vehicles to ensure a consistent and safe learning environment for all students. There is no need for any additional fees, such as gas or maintenance costs. We're fully equipped to provide everything your child needs to learn effectively and comfortably. To take a closer look at the vehicles we use, please visit our website's "School Vehicles" to meet the fleet!

Your child's journey to becoming a safe and confident driver is in the hands of our dedicated team at Hinton Driving Academy. We take great pride in our instructors, each of whom has undergone a meticulous selection process.

Our instructors have passed a rigorous vetting procedure, ensuring they meet the highest standards set by both Hinton Driving Academy and the Office of Motor Vehicles of Louisiana. Here's what makes our instructors exceptional:

• Education and Experience: They possess a High School Diploma or GED and hold a Class D license (Chauffer's). With at least 5 years of unrestricted driving experience, they bring a wealth of knowledge to the training process.

• Thorough Background Checks: Your child's safety is our paramount concern. Our instructors have successfully completed FBI Criminal Background Checks, Rap Sheet & Fingerprints with the State Police Department, guaranteeing their trustworthiness.

• Health and Wellness: Prioritizing their well-being, our instructors have passed thorough Medical & Vision Examinations, ensuring they are fit for their role.

• Professional Development: Staying current with the latest industry knowledge is crucial. Our instructors have successfully completed comprehensive courses in Sexual Harassment, Driver Education, General Safety Education, CPR/Basic Life Support & Emergency First Aid, and engage in yearly Continuing Education Hours.

All of our instructors hold CPR/Basic Life Support certification and are trained in Emergency First Aid, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle any situation that may arise.

We invite you to get to know our team better by clicking here to meet our staff. We believe that with their expertise, dedication, and commitment to safety, your child is in the best hands for their driving education journey.

 At Hinton Driving Academy, your child's safety is our top priority. We've implemented comprehensive measures to ensure a secure learning experience:

• Vehicle Safety: Our cars feature enhanced visibility with extra mirrors and an instructor brake. GPS monitoring tracks students' locations, speed, and provides crash detection.

• Safe Driving Practices: We enforce no distractions, seatbelt use, and adherence to speed limits and traffic signals.

• Personalized Training: We offer flexibility in training options, including time, vehicle choice, and instructor selection.

Your child's safety is our commitment. If you have more questions, please reach out.

 The BTW portion is scheduled by our school based on eligibility and is organized class by class.

• Eligibility for the BTW portion includes completing the classroom portion, reaching the age of 15, and obtaining a Temporary Instructional Permit (T.I.P.) card.
• Please note that the BTW portion scheduling is often organized alphabetically within each class, ensuring a fair and organized process.
• The BTW portion includes 8 hours of driving instruction with our certified instructors, and we aim to complete this phase efficiently.

If you need your license faster, speak with the Office Staff about utilzing tools such as our waiting list to get on the schedule faster.

 After your child successfully finishes our classroom and behind-the-wheel program, here's what comes next:

1. Learner's Permit Eligibility (38-Hour Program): For students in the 38-hour program, completion makes them eligible to apply for a Learner's Permit. This permit lets them practice driving under certain restrictions, supervised by a licensed adult.
2. Road Skills Test ($40 Fee): To get a full Driver's License, your child must take the Road Skills Test with an examiner at the Hinton Driving Academy. It assesses their practical driving skills and costs $40.
3. Additional License Requirements: Earning a Driver's License involves meeting specific Louisiana DMV criteria. These can include holding a Learner's Permit for a set time, completing practice hours, and age requirements.

Our Support:

At Hinton Driving Academy, we're here to help your child through this journey:

• We offer Road Skills Testing for your convenience. Click here to schedule.
• Our team provides guidance, answers questions, and offers support to ensure your child becomes a skilled and responsible driver.

Please note that the process may vary, so check the Louisiana DMV for the latest information.

YES; 

In our 30-Hour Class, we blend lectures, PowerPoints, and statistics with engaging elements to make learning both enjoyable and effective. We host guest speakers, including State Police Troopers, Emergency First Responders, Firefighters, and Car Dealership representatives, who share real-world experiences on the road.

To keep students engaged, we use interactive games, some of which involve their cell phones or provided devices for quiz-style competitions. These activities not only break the monotony of lectures but also help students prepare for OMV (Office of Motor Vehicles) exams required for licensure.

Students must pass the Knowledge Test with a minimum score of 80% and the 8-hour Behind-the-Wheel Skills Assessment Test with at least 70% to earn their Certificate of Completion. These assessments ensure students have a solid understanding of critical concepts and practical driving skills for safe and responsible driving.

 If your child does not pass the Assessments at the end of the course, here's what you need to know:

For the Knowledge Test:

• Your child can re-take the Knowledge Test once more on the same day or may reschedule for a following day.
• After two failed attempts, your child may be required to re-attend the classroom portion of the class.
• If additional retests are needed after two failed attempts, they can be requested at a fee of $20, pending approval by the Hinton Driving Academy. However, please note that re-tests after two failed attempts are not guaranteed and are solely based upon the discretion of the Hinton Driving Academy.

For the Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Assessment:

• If your child does not successfully pass the BTW Assessment, they can re-take it once more on the same day or may reschedule for a following day at no additional cost.
• After two failed attempts, your child may be required to re-attend the classroom portion of the class.
• Just like with the Knowledge Test, your child may request additional BTW retests at a fee of $20, subject to approval by the Hinton Driving Academy. Again, please be aware that re-tests after two failed attempts are not guaranteed and are solely based upon the discretion of the Hinton Driving Academy.

You can drop your child off at our convenient location: 100 West Arizona Ave, Ruston, LA 71270. We are located right next door to the OMV (Office of Motor Vehicles), making it easy for parents and students.

For drop-off, please pull up in front of the Hinton Driving Academy entrance. We kindly request that parents stay until they see their child safely enter our premises.

In consideration of class schedules and to ensure a smooth transition, we recommend arriving no more than 15 minutes early for class. If you've completed all the necessary paperwork online, there's no need to come inside unless you'd like to explore our school and meet our team – you're always welcome!

We look forward to welcoming your child to Hinton Driving Academy and providing them with a safe and engaging learning experience. If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us.