• 30 Vernon Valley Road - East Northport, NY 11731
  • Phone: 631-368-7878

Twin County Driving School FAQ

At Twin County Driving School we have 3 major concerns when choosing vehicles. Safety, Reliability and Ease of Driving for a new driver, that’s why we use new and late model Honda Accords.

All of our vehicles are dual controlled and equipped with power steering, power brakes, air bags and anti-lock brakes. The vehicles we use here at Twin County Driving School are very safe, reliable, and easy to learn on.

Q. Do I Have To Wait To Make My Road Test?

A. Under the graduated licensing law, all permit holders under the age of 18 must hold their permits for 6 months before they are permitted to set a road test appointment.

Q. What Do I Need To Make A Road Test?

A. You must have your “Photo Learners Permit”, a Prelicensing Certificate (MV278) or a Drivers Education certificate (MV285). If they are under the age of 18, they must also have a “50” hours of supervised driving form.

Q. What Is A Supervised Driving Form?

A. As part of the enhanced graduated licensing rules that went into affect in February of 2010, all student drivers under the age of 18 must have at least 50 hours of supervised practice, with at least 15 hours at night. A parent or legal guardian must sign this form that these minimum number of hours of practice have been completed.

Q. Why Take Private Lessons?

A. There are many advantages to taking private lessons. They provide “one on one” instruction, where the instructor can focus on the specific needs of the student. Our students range from ones who have never been behind the wheel, to students getting ready to take their road test. Or even recently licensed drivers wishing to practice highway driving. We offer free pick up and drop off with the same car and instructor for each lesson at the day and time that the student needs.

Remember, Drivers ED. is group instruction, where students often have different skill levels. This can make it difficult for the student to get the training they need.

Q. When Can I Start Taking Lessons?

A. As soon as you have your New York State Learners Permit you can get started.

Q. Is There A Long Wait To Get Started?

A. No, not at all. We can usually get you started within a day or two. We work around the students schedule. Appointments can be different days and times each week. The student will always have the same instructor and car each time they go out.

Q. What Is The 5 Hour Pre-Licensing Course?

A. It is 5 hours of classroom instruction required by NYSDMV geared for the new driver. This class must be taken in order to schedule a road test appointment.

Q. What Is Drivers Ed.?

A. Drivers Ed. is a NYS DMV approved program available from High Schools and Colleges for 16 and 17 year olds. It consists of 24 hours of classroom instruction and 24 hours of in car instruction, with 4 students in the car. Each student drives for only “6” hours of the entire Drivers Ed. program.

At the end of the program, the student will receive a MV-285 certificate. This certificate allows the student to a “full license” at age 17 instead of 18. Upon passing a DMV road test, it also provides a 10% insurance reduction.

Students who are 16 when they pass their road test will receive a “Junior License” which allows them to only drive from 5 am-9pm, to and from work, a work study program, a course at a college, University or “evening” high school course.

Remember, any student taking a Driver Ed. program in the Fall or Spring semesters will drive a total of 6 hours over a 5 month period. This averages out to approximatel 20 minutes per driving session each week.

NYSDMV now requires a minimum of 50 hours behind the wheel with 15 hours at night, which we also strongly recommend. Whether the parents provide all 44 additional required hours, or some is acquired at the driving school is up to you.

Q. What Is A Road Test Fee?

A. After a student has been unsuccessful in 2 road test attempts, they are unable to make a new road test appointment until they pay a $10.00 road test fee to DMV. This can be paid for on the DMV website, or your local DMV office. This will allow the student to schedule 2 more road tests.

Q. Failed Several Road Tests, Or Getting Ready For Your First?

A. Whether you have failed several road tests, or are just preparing to take your first test, we can help you pass. Our instructors are skilled road test specialists, and can tell you exactly what you need to do to pass your road test.