- How long will the on-line course take?
- Will I be penalized if I need more than seven and one-half (7 1/2) hours to complete the course?
- If I take several sessions to complete the course, must each new session commence from the beginning of the course?
- How do I return to the course if I logoff before completion?
- Can the course be accessed from any computer?
- Is the on-line course more difficult than a classroom-sitting course?
- What is the cost of the on-line course and is it more expensive than the classroom-sitting course?
- Are there any hidden costs to the on-line course?
- How long will it take me to receive my completion certificate?
- If I so request, will you forward my certificate directly to the court or to the Department of Motor Vehicles?
- Will you provide notification to me that the court received my certificate?
- Will the Department of Motor Vehicles be informed of my course completion, even though I am not taking the course for the Department of Motor Vehicles?
- Where can I go to take the final test?
- Will there be a cost to take the final test at a test site?
- How much time is needed to take the final test?
- If I fail the test, may I retake it immediately?
- What score do I need to make on the final test to pass?
- Can someone else take the test for me?
- If I do not receive a passing grade, when may I again take the exam?
- What are the forms of payment for taking the course on line?
- Do I need an e-mail address?
- Can I use the test site computer to take the course on-line?
- What happens after I pass the final examination?
- I made a mistake in my registration information. Can I change my registration information?
- How do I know if my court recognizes an internet-based on-line driver improvement course?
- Can I get an extension if my due date has already passed?
- How much time do I have before my course logon name expires?
- What is the procedure in the event there is a computer system failure while I am taking the course?
- Is there network support for the on-line course in the event I need help?
- What are the system requirements for taking the course on-line?
- How can I cancel my registration and if I do so, can I get a refund?
- How do I know if the court requiring me to take the driver improvement course will accept an on-line course?
- What are licensing and registration requirements for Virginia?
1. How long will the on-line course take?
This course has been approved by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles as an accredited driver improvement clinic. The Department of Motor Vehicles requires that the instruction segment of driver improvement courses be at least eight (8) hours in duration, including break periods totaling 30 minutes. Because you will be taking this course at your own pace, you may successfully complete the course in seven and one-half (7 1/2) hours.
2. Will I be penalized if I need more than seven and one-half (7 1/2) hours to complete the course?
That will not be a problem. You may take as long as you wish to complete the course. There is no maximum number of hours to cover the materials as long as the course is completed and the certificate of completion is returned to the authorizing entity on or before your required due date. Therefore, you may want to take an hour or couple of hours of the course work and then take a break to rest your eyes.
3. If I take several sessions to complete the course, must each new session commence from the beginning of the course? No. You are allowed to start the course and stop the course completely at your own discretion. The computer will record your progress at each time you enter the system and will credit you for all of the time you have put in and all the work you have accomplished to the point of your last sitting.
4. How do I return to the course if I logoff before completion?
You may re-enter the course at any point and as often as you want simply by entering your username and password. You will be able to pick up from where you stopped. Therefore, there is no need to worry about losing progress. If by chance you have forgotten either or both your username and/or password, simply give us a call during customer service hours at 1-866-501-0040 we will be happy to assist you in reconnecting to the course. Please be reminded that you should safeguard your username and password for course re-entry because you may need to re-assess the course at times when customer service is not available.
5. Can the course be accessed from any computer?
Absolutely. As long as the computer that is being used has internet access, then any computer can be utilized to take the course. This means that you can take the course from home, work, vacation, play, out-of-state and anywhere that provides computer access, such as computer or copy centers, libraries or even from your lap-top.
6. Is the on-line course more difficult than a classroom-sitting course?
The on-line and classroom sitting driver improvement course are the same. The only difference is that instead of going to a designated facility at a time established by someone else, you take the course where you want to take it and at your own choosing of location and time.
7. What is the cost of the on-line course and is it more expensive than the classroom-sitting course?
The cost is $49.95. Classroom sitting courses may range from $40.00 to $75.00 depending upon the company or agency providing the course.
8. Are there any hidden costs to the on-line course?
There are no hidden costs to taking the driver improvement course on-line. Once you have completed the computer-based driver improvement course and have successfully completed the final test at one of our approved locations, a completion certificate will be issued to you just as if you had completed the course in a classroom sitting arrangement. The cost of the course includes one 30 minute sitting to take the final test. If you do not pass the test on your first sitting or if you need more than 30 minutes to complete the test, then there may be additional charges imposed by the test center.
9. How long will it take me to receive my completion certificate?
If you would like to personally receive the hardcopy of your completion certificate, then it will be put in the United States Postal Service delivery system within two (2) to three (3) business days from the final test completion date.
10. If I so request, will you forward my certificate directly to the court or to the Department of Motor Vehicles?
The on-line school will accommodate you by submitting your paperwork showing successful class completion to the Department of Motor Vehicles, your court system, your insurance company, your employer or wherever you wish to have your certificate mailed. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that your court in particular will allow the on-line company to submit your paperwork (by mail) on your behalf. Some courts have requirements that traffic violators must return in person to the court. If your court permits an on-line company to submit your paperwork, then the on-line company will be happy to accommodate you if you have allowed sufficient time for delivery through the United States Postal Service system. Additionally, you are responsible for payment of any fees assessed to you by your court, DMV or any other agency.
Again, paperwork will be put in the mail within three (3) to four (4) business days from completion of the final test to the entity and location which you indicate. Successful course completion will be electronically processed with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
It is of utmost importance that you provide the on-line driving school with complete, accurate and detail mailing instructions prescribing where you want the paperwork to be mailed and the date by which it needs to be received by authorities. Additionally, you must allow enough time for your paperwork to be submitted to the proper authorities. Remember to allow for mail delays due to holidays, Sundays, increased mail volume times such as, but not limited to, Christmas and Valentine's Day. If you do not allow us enough time to get your paperwork to the proper authority, then there is little that we can do to ensure that your paperwork will reach your desired location by the time desired.
11. Will you provide notification to me that the court received my certificate?
There are several ways to accomplish this. Your certificate can be forwarded to the court by the following means:
First Class - Free.
Certified Mail - $6.00 With certified mail you can rest easy knowing that your certificate reached the desired location. We will utilize the United States Postal System or United Parcel Service to deliver your certificate. Both delivery services have a tracking system where you can access the internet, enter the tracking number you were issued and obtain detail information on your certificate delivery status.
Certified Mail Requiring Signature - $7.00 This delivery option provides you with the comfort of having a signed return receipt from the person receiving your certificate at the court. This signed return receipt is your written proof that your employer, a court, DMV or insurance representative received your certificate. You should keep this receipt in a safe place in the event a problem arises concerning delivery of your certificate to authorities.
Second Day
Second Day Express Delivery - $20.00 With Second Day Express Delivery, your certificate will be sent via UPS and will be delivered by 5:00 PM on the second business day from when it was sent. If you complete the final test after 2:00 PM, then your certificate will be shipped the following business day.
Overnight Express
Overnight Express Delivery - $30.00 Overnight Express Delivery gets your certificate to the court the next delivery day. As long as you complete your final test by 2:00 PM, then the court will receive your certificate by 5:00 PM the next delivery day.
Please be mindful that some courts close prior to 5:00 PM and that some courts require proof of course attendance by 9:00 AM or even earlier on the deadline date. If you have instructed us to submit your certificate to the court and if you are not requiring signed confirmation, then your certificate can be forwarded to the court via U.S. standard mail or sent electronically permitting your court allows such transmission. Whereas courts normally require original certificates, it is your responsibility to ensure that your court permits electronic submission of your certificate.
12. Will the Department of Motor Vehicles be informed of my course completion, even though I am not taking the course for the Department of Motor Vehicles?
Yes, if you have a Virginia driver's license or order.
The Department of Motor Vehicles is always informed of your course completion
except in the case where an employer is requesting that an employee takes
the course for work purposes only, and the employer is not requiring
that the course completion be forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
13. Where can I go to take the final test?
There are many test sites throughout the state. Find the site that is most convenient for you by checking the “Testing Locations” section on the main menu. Though it is not required, some test sites highly recommend that an appointment is made prior to going to take the final test.
14. Will there be a cost to take the final test at a test site?
You will be given 30 free minutes of computer time to complete the final test at one of the test sites. As long as you complete the test within the allotted time, the cost is included in the price of taking the on-line driver improvement course and therefore no additional cost to you.
15. How much time is needed to take the final test?
You should need no more than 30 minutes to complete the final test. As an added benefit, to help you pass the final test; you can pre-test yourself by taking the sample final test that is provided. In the unlikely event that you will need more than 30 minutes to complete the test, then there will be a minimal charge that you will need to pay the test site.
16. If I fail the test, may I retake it immediately?
The on-line final test like a classroom setting driver improvement course can only be taken once per 24 hour period. However, you cannot take parts of the final test and later return to complete the remainder of the test. You will be graded on the complete final test in one sitting. Therefore, any questions that are left unanswered will be deducted from your final grade.
17. What score do I need to make on the final test to pass?
You only need a minimum score of 80 percent. At the end of the final test, the computer system will applaud your effort and indicate the score that you obtained on the final test. Therefore, before you leave the test site or even get up from the computer, you will know your final test results.
18. Can someone else take the test for me?
While others can help you with the on-line course, no one can take the test for you nor assist you in the final test taking process. When you go to a site to take the final test, be sure to have at least one form of picture identification to verify that you are indeed the person that is being tested.
19. If I do not receive a passing grade, when may I again take the exam?
Think positively. If you have taken the course on-line, taken the quizzes at the end of each section and have taken the final practice test, you should have no problems passing the final test. You can practice the final test as many times as you like before taking the final test at a testing site. Practice makes perfect, therefore, the more you practice taking the final practice test, the more likely you will pass. There is a high success rate on the final test. But in the unlikely event that you are not successful on the final test, you may re-take the final test as many times as required until you are successful but no more than once per 24 hour period. There may be an additional charge for multiple test taking sittings and time that exceeds 30 minutes on the first test-taking sitting. If you do not pass the final test, you may re-enter the course for review at no additional cost.
20. What are the forms of payment for taking the course on line?
You may pay for the on-line course by using any of the major credit cards, including Discover, MasterCard and Visa. You may also pay for the on-line course by check or money order by mailing your payment to:
Virginia Driver Improvement School On-Line
Post Office Box 36492
Richmond , Virginia 23235
21. Do I need an e-mail address?
Yes.
22. Can I use the test site computer to take the course on-line?
Yes, but it is not recommended due to the cost involved. Use a friend's computer; go to a library or your work location before or after hours to use the computer if this is permissible.
23. What happens after I pass the final examination?
Per your request, your certificate will be forwarded to you within three to four business days, mailed to your court, employer, insurance company or filed with the Department of Motor Vehicle. Once certificates are put in mail, it generally takes three to four days to reach their destinations in standard U.S. mail. Electronic processing may also be available.
24. I made a mistake in my registration information. Can I change my registration information?
We will permit you to do so only on one occasion. When changing, be certain that all registration information is correct. You may need to contact consumer service when making changes.
25. How do I know if my court recognizes an internet-based on-line driver improvement course?
It is your responsibility to determine whether your court system will accept an on-line course. The best way to know whether or not your court accepts an on-line course is to carefully review any paperwork that you were issued by your court and, if you are still unsure, contact the court directly for guidance.
26. Can I get an extension if my due date has already passed?
The on-line company has absolutely no authority to grant extensions. You must contact the court, the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other agency that is requesting you to take the course for an extension. If your due date is fast approaching and you are uncertain if you will have sufficient time to complete the on-line course and take the test by your due date, then you should contact the agency permitting you to take the course to seek an extension. If you are granted an extension, you should immediately notify us so that we can forward your completion certification to the appropriate agency in advance of your extension deadline.
27. How much time do I have before my course logon name expires?
Logon names will expire 90 days of the date of last activity.
28. What is the procedure in the event there is a computer system failure while I am taking the course?
The computer system updates as the on-line course is being taken. In the event of a computer failure, you should be able to re-enter the course and return to the same section where you were when the failure occurred.
29. Is there network support for the on-line course in the event I need help?
YES and direct questions to the toll-free number 1-866-501-0040.
30. What are the system requirements for taking the course on-line?
The course was developed so that any system with internet access can display the on-line course. If you are having difficulties displaying the course, contact our customer support group at
1-866-501-0040.
31.
How can I cancel my registration and if I do so, can
I get a refund?
Why would you want to cancel your registration? If
your court due date is a couple of days prior to the
date that you think you will complete the course,
then you should contact the court to inquire about
getting an extension. Another option is to ask the
court if they will accept a faxed copy of your certificate
until the original is received. In the unlikely
event that you are unable to finish the course, you
will be issued a refund as long as you have not attempted
to take the final test. The refund will exclude any
fees that are paid to third parties such as but not
limited to credit card companies for bank processing
charges. Refunds will be reimbursed through
the same method of payment that was used at the time
of original payment. Credit card reimbursements will
be applied only to the card used for payment. Other
forms of payment such as cashier's checks, money orders
and checks will be refunded via Virginia Driver Improvement
School On-Line company checks. Refunds will not be
issued beyond three months from the date of original
payment.
32.
How do I know if the court requiring me to take the
driver improvement course will accept an on-line course?
You will need to check with the court
that is permitting you to take the driver improvement
course to verify that they will accept an on-line
course. Courts usually have a list of driver improvement
courses and companies they accept. Approved on-line
courses may also be provided on that list. If Virginia
Driver Improvement On-Line is not on that list, please
call us toll free at 1-866-501-0040 Mondays through
Fridays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and we will be able to
verify if we are approved by your court. Additionally,
you may attempt to contact the clerk of the court
for an answer.
33.
What are licensing and registration requirements for
Virginia?
To qualify for a driver’s license
in the state of Virginia, one must be a resident of
Virginia and be at least 16 years and 3 months of
age. To obtain a learner’s permit, one must be at
least 15 years and 6 months of age. If one is under
the age of 18, written consent from a parent or legal
guardian is required unless the person is married
or emancipated.
If a person is under the age of 19, 36 classroom
and 14 in-car hours of a state approved driver education
program are required. A person must also hold a learner’s
permit for a minimum of 9 months or until age 19,
whichever occurs first. If a person is over the age
of 19, a learner’s permit must be held for at least
30 days or complete a state approved driver education
classroom course of 36 hours. A roads skills evaluation
test must be administered by DMV.
If a person currently holds a valid out-of-state
license and is under the age of 19 but does not have
proof of driver education, then DMV can issue a Virginia
six-month temporary driver’s license. This will afford
time to complete the required 36 classroom and 14
in-car hours of driver education instruction.
If a person is 19 years of age or older and holds
a valid driver’s license issued by a U.S. state, territory,
jurisdiction, a Canadian province, France, or Germany,
then only the vision screening test may be required.
If a person is 19 years of age or older and holds
a valid driver’s license issued by a country other
than Canada, France, or Germany, then holding a Virginia
learner’s permit for 30 days and proof of classroom
and in-car driver education may not be required. However,
the two-part knowledge exam, road skills test, and
vision screening will be required.
If a person’s license has been suspended or revoked
by another state, a Virginia license may not be issued
until compliance by the other state and requirements
by the state of Virginia have been met.
If a person is a new resident to Virginia and presently
has a driver’s license issued by another state, a
Virginia driver’s license must be obtained within
60 days. If a vehicle is titled to you from another
state, then the vehicle must be registered in the
state of Virginia, license plates issued, and a title
obtained within 30 days. Drivers must have the vehicle
registration card with them at all times when operating
registered motor vehicles on Virginia’s roadways.
Additionally, all registered vehicles must be insured
by a company authorized to do business in Virginia.
The minimum liability insurance requirements are $25,000
for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury
or death to two or more people and $20,000 for property
damage.
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