ACE Behind the Wheel

[Anonymous]

My kid is in the middle of class now. I would not recommend it if the kid isn’t already comfortable driving around in traffic. They move very quickly through the course, I expect it would be overwhelming and terrifying for a brand new driver - and they won’t get the benefit of the course either.

It would be fine for someone who, for example, had completed all of the ‘driving in traffic’ modules but hadn’t completed their night hours. But barely out of the parking lot is not setting them up for success in the class.

[Anonymous]

A quick update on this -- my child had a great experience with the ACE Behind the Wheel course. I spoke to the director ahead of time, and he assured me that everything would be fine... that some students go in with 2 hours of practice, some 150, and they don't have to take the test at the end if they're not ready. He also let the instructor know ahead of time that my child was super anxious. Anyway... the instructor was amazing and really made the students feel at ease and exciting about driving. And they passed the test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A quick update on this -- my child had a great experience with the ACE Behind the Wheel course. I spoke to the director ahead of time, and he assured me that everything would be fine... that some students go in with 2 hours of practice, some 150, and they don't have to take the test at the end if they're not ready. He also let the instructor know ahead of time that my child was super anxious. Anyway... the instructor was amazing and really made the students feel at ease and exciting about driving. And they passed the test

NP. Thanks for posting this update. We are debating signing our teen up for Behind the Wheel over Spring Break. Our kid would have 20-25 driving hours by the time the class starts. Has not yet been on 66 or the Beltway, but driven on multiple lane roads at speeds up to 55 mph. Sounds like we could go ahead and register them? Otherwise, we would likely have to wait until June to find time.

[Anonymous]

Do they teach parallel parking or should they know that beforehand? Is it even on the driving test any more?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

NP. Thanks for posting this update. We are debating signing our teen up for Behind the Wheel over Spring Break. Our kid would have 20-25 driving hours by the time the class starts. Has not yet been on 66 or the Beltway, but driven on multiple lane roads at speeds up to 55 mph. Sounds like we could go ahead and register them? Otherwise, we would likely have to wait until June to find time.

I may be replying too late to this, but I would say go for it! The instructors are great and will work with them at the level they’re at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they teach parallel parking or should they know that beforehand? Is it even on the driving test any more?

No parallel parking taught and not on the test.

[Anonymous]

I am an ACE BTW instructor, and we do teach parallel parking, however it is not part of the test.

[Anonymous]

What happens if you fail the BTW road test? Where do you go to retake the test ?

[Anonymous]

You have 2 chances during the last 2 sessions of BTW to pass the road test. If you fail both times, I believe you can either retake the entire course or practice and take the test at the DMV if over 18.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can students succeed in the 7-day behind-the-wheel class if they only have a few hours of practice with parents? Not really out of the parking lot yet, but the class is next week...

Why wouldn't you just register your kid for the class AFTER they've completed at least 45 hours of driving, the course if offered ALL year AND its not the only company in the area offering behind the wheel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can students succeed in the 7-day behind-the-wheel class if they only have a few hours of practice with parents? Not really out of the parking lot yet, but the class is next week...

Why wouldn't you just register your kid for the class AFTER they've completed at least 45 hours of driving, the course if offered ALL year AND its not the only company in the area offering behind the wheel.

As a parent of a kid who did the 45 hours before BTW, I was pissed when I found the other kid hadn't. They lied to our faces but finally admitted it after 2 days. You're not fooling anyone, and it put my child at risk because they do go out on real roads and highways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can students succeed in the 7-day behind-the-wheel class if they only have a few hours of practice with parents? Not really out of the parking lot yet, but the class is next week...

IME, the answer is a flat no. ACE teaches the test, cleans up bad habits. It doesn't teach them to drive. I'd try to reschedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A quick update on this -- my child had a great experience with the ACE Behind the Wheel course. I spoke to the director ahead of time, and he assured me that everything would be fine... that some students go in with 2 hours of practice, some 150, and they don't have to take the test at the end if they're not ready. He also let the instructor know ahead of time that my child was super anxious. Anyway... the instructor was amazing and really made the students feel at ease and exciting about driving. And they passed the test

Hello-
What high school did your child take ACE BTW? I would like for my daughter to have a great experience as well. Please share!! Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter just did ACE Behind the Wheel in November. The instructor was great. She had about 30 hours of driving under her belt and still had two more months until she was eligible for her license, but schedule wise, November worked best for us. She did her test on the last day, then her paper license was held captive at the Pimmit Hills ACE office until recently when we had to make an appointment almost 3 weeks ahead of time to pick it up. I found that kind of annoying, as with a private driving instructor for my other kid they just gave us the temporary license and said it is valid on such and such date.

Hi
Her driving partner had literally never sat in a drivers seat before. She only got to drive around the HS parking lot for the first 5 lessons and then went into the nearby neighborhood. Kind of a waste of "observation hours" for my kid. That student will have to make an appt to take her driving test in about 6 months or whenever she is eligible for her license (with ACE). So I don't really recommend taking it unless you are ready to at least take the test on the last day.

Nobody drove on the beltway or 66 in Behind the Wheel with either of my kids (the other used Aloha Driving school--do not recommend). I wanted to do iDrive Smart, but their schedule didn't work with ours, unfortunately. They do have a nice self scheduler on their website, but not many convenient options at the time I was looking.

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What school did your daughter go to for Behind the Wheel? I would like to sign my child up with that instructor rather than take a chance with a mediocre instructor. This is a very serious life skill, and yes, their lives are at risk. We all want the best for our children. I dont care if I have to drive 20-30 more minutes more to get great instruction.
Thx.

[Anonymous]

My child did the class before he had 45 hours. I believe he had 30 hours, 4 of which were on the highway (though not in the DMV).