1. Driver Education

Complete Driver Education class at Roadrunner Driving School and receive a Driver Education Completion Certificate.

• There is a fee for replacement of DMV certificates we issue to you if you lose yours.

2. Learner’s Permit

If you are at least 15 1/2 years old, you may go to the DMV and take the written test. The test is 46 multiple choice questions, and you can miss 8 and still pass. An appointment is not required to take the written test, but if you prefer to have one, call the DMV at 800.777.0133, or schedule online at dmv.ca.gov.

FOR THE DMV WRITTEN TEST, YOU MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:

• $31.00 application fee.

• California Drivers’ License Application Form(DL44). You can get this form at Roadrunner Driving School, or at any DMV office. You will need signatures from both parents, if applicable.

• Birth Certificate or Certified Copy. The DMV can not accept photocopies, or hospital issued birth announcements. If you were born in Sonoma County and cannot find your birth certificate, call the County Recorder at 707.565.2645. If you were born in another country, you will need to provide appropriate documentation to show you are a legal resident of the U.S.

• Social Security Number. The card is not required, just the number written on the DL44.

• Driver Education Completion Certificate (DL 400B (blue).

3. Driver Education

AFTER YOU HAVE YOUR PERMIT, CALL 546-3238 TO SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST DRIVING LESSON.

State law requires that drivers license applicants under the age of 18 take at least 6 hours (offered in three 2 hour sessions) of Driver Training with a DMV certified instructor.

You must practice driving between lessons with a California licensed driver over the age of 25 years. This person must be seated next to you, awake and not under the influence of drugs and or alcohol. Practice must include no less than 50 hours of drive time, including 10 hours at night. Keep a written log of your driving hours. Note the date, drive time, and type of driving done, such as, downtown, rural, freeway, rain, fog, nighttime, etc.

Do not just drive to school and back and in familiar areas over and over again. New drivers need constant exposure to new situations to help them develop their timing and judgment and ability to anticipate other roadway users. Driving takes practice, just like math,sports, music, art or any other skill. The 50 hours are critical for new drivers to develop their ability to drive safely. After your third driving lesson, you will receive a gold, Driver Training Completion Certificate. * There is a fee for replacement of DMV certificates we issue to you. Do not lose them.

4. Driver License

Once you have completed your 3 lessons and your 50 hours of practice, and have had your permit for at least 6 months, and you are at least 16 years old, you are eligible to take the DMV driving test. You may schedule the test up to 30 days prior to the date you want to test. The DMV is usually booked three to four weeks in advance, so call ahead of time! – When you go to the DMV for the drive test, you must take: – Your Permit, signed by your parent/guardian. – Driver Training Completion Certificate (gold). – Proof of Insurance for the car being used for the driving test. – Current Registration for the car being used for the test.

I began teaching Driver Education and Driver Training for other driving schools in 1993. I felt there was a lack of quality instruction, integrity, and service in the industry, so I opened Roadrunner Driving School in 1997.

My background includes traffic accident investigation at Santa Rosa Police Department and completion of Defensive Driving and Emergency Vehicle Operations Courses at the California Highway Patrol Academy. I drove a tractor trailer for several years making deliveries between San Jose and Fort Bragg, and I drove a school bus in Sonoma County for 4 years.

When I was sixteen, and newly licensed, I often hauled several horses to Annadel State Park or Point Reyes National Seashore to ride for the day. A couple of horses in a trailer behind you will teach you to drive safely up and down hills, on winding roads, on the freeway and at night.

I drive a gold 4-door Toyota Camry.

Brad has been teaching with Roadrunner for over eleven years. He is a very professional, thorough and conscientious instructor. He is also an accomplished musician. Brad performs with several bands, gives private drum lessons, and teaches music to elementary school children. He relaxes by playing a wicked game of ice hockey.

Brad drives a blue, 4-door Honda Civic

Mr. Cohen is a retired public school teacher with over 30 years of experience teaching physical education and driver education. His class is very structured, and he follows a DMV-approved driver education lesson plan. Students will be well prepared to pass their DMV written test. Do Not Be Late for Class!

In his spare time, Mr. Cohen loves to play golf and paint. Recently, he has exhibited a delightful talent for creating the most endearing greeting cards! Although Mr. Cohen considers himself retired, we are thrilled to have him as a member of our part time staff.

Briana Anderson enjoys teaching at Roadrunner Driving School and has received wonderful reviews. Her experience brings a unique, delightful style to Driver Education/Training. She has lived in Hawaii, Turkey, the east and west coasts and traveled Europe, Mexico and Canada. Briana’s roots are five generations deep in Santa Rosa. She has spent 25 consecutive years here, with her husband and children. Throughout her life adventures she has taught scuba diving, obedience dogs and service dogs, horses for riding and driving, crafts, and manicuring. Briana’s experience, patience, common sense, and easy going manner are apparent in the classroom as well as behind-the-wheel. She is a Red Cross Volunteer, and enjoys gardening, reading, sewing, and geology.

Ask Briana why we fondly refer to her as “007”!

Briana drives a silver, 4-door, Nissan Maxima

Makeup days are available for students who cannot complete the course due to illness, or a family emergency, but if a class is full, a return student may have to wait for a class in which a seat is available. Check your school, work, vacation and personal appointment calendars before enrolling.

Learning to drive is exciting, but also a tremendous responsibility for teens and parents. Both parties must set aside the required time to complete these important courses and associated training(50 hours driving with parent/guardian). The discipline and effort required to complete the licensing process is a teen’s first step toward recognizing the importance of safe driving, the consequences of being unprepared or irresponsible, and the value of the driving privilege they work so hard to earn. Start out right by making a commitment to the training.

*All classes: No headsets, cell phone activity or napping. Poor behavior or attitude is unacceptable on the road, or in this class and is cause for ejection at the discretion of the instructor. No refunds, no exceptions.

After you’ve completed Driver Education (and are at least 15 1/2), you will be eligible to take the DMV written test to get a Learner’s Permit. We recommend that you wait until you have passed the test before scheduling your first driving lesson. If you schedule Driver Training before getting a permit, you must pay for the lesson at the time of scheduling.

State law requires driver’s license applicants under the age of eighteen to practice driving AT LEAST 50 hours, including 10 at night, with a California licensed driver over the age of 25. Record practice hours to track actual time and type of driving practiced.  It takes many hours of supervised driving experience in a of all types of traffic and conditions for students to develop the necessary skills, confidence, timing and judgment to be safe when they begin driving alone.  

Learning to drive is an experience you’re probably looking forward to with great anticipation and enthusiasm. We hope to make that experience challenging, educational, and enjoyable. Our goal is to teach you how to drive defensively and courteously. It is your responsibility to practice and continue using, the skills you learn.

We have a general plan for each of the three driving lesson, but all lessons are taylored to work within the beginning student’s level of skill and confidence.

 Lesson #1

Behind the wheel instruction for Lesson #1 will include practice on the following: proper seat, wheel, and mirror adjustment, control panel review, smooth steering, braking and acceleration, lane control, use of mirrors, checking blind spot, visual search pattern, maintaining an appropriate space cushion to the front and sides, dealing with right of way in any situation, changing lanes, proper car position and speed control for entry and exit from turns.

During Lesson #1, most students will practice diagonal and perpendicular parking, safe backing practices, lane changes, and residential and downtown driving. Some students may practice entering and exiting the freeway. We try to cover as much as possible during the first lesson, so students and parents won’t be too apprehensive about practicing these important skills before returning for Lesson #2.

Lesson #2 (Recommended 6-8 weeks after the first lesson)

Unless a student has serious car control issues, we recommend scheduling
Lesson #2 six to eight weeks after the first lesson. A student strive to practice at least 10 hours before Lesson #2. For those still challenged with basic car control issues, we recommend taking the second lesson as soon as possible. This should help build the student’s confidence and skill.

Lesson #2 will include repetition of skills introduced in Lesson #1, freeway driving, some rural driving, and parallel parking. Parallel parking is not required on the DMV test, but it’s easy to teach and learn, and a nice boost for the new driver’s confidence.

Lesson #3 (Usually 10 days to 2 weeks before your DMV test)

If you exhibit sufficient driving skill, we’ll give you a rigorous simulated road test during Lesson #3. You should only schedule this lesson AFTER you and your parents agree you have the skill to drive safely unsupervised, and are ready to have a driver’s license. Book Lesson #3 at least 10 days to 2 weeks before the date of your DMV test. Roadrunner instructors may be booked several weeks ahead, so call well in advance to get your final lesson scheduled. Your instructor will explain what the DMV examiner will be watching for, and how the scoring works. If you still require constant reminders and assistance with your driving skills, we will not conduct a practice road test. You will continue practice with basic driving skills.

After Lesson #3, you’ll have a good idea of your level of skill and what aspects of your driving you still need to work on. We hope you will do well on the DMV driving exam. More importantly, we hope you will continue to practice safe driving skills once you receive a driver’s license.

You may say, “I’m only going to drive to school and home until the end of the year.” You are most likely to crash in areas you drive the most.

A collision will cost a lot more than an extra driving lesson, renewing your permit, or a few more hours of practice. Take more time to develop your skills and confidence.

Our driving instructors assess your abilities and help you with skills that need improvement during each lesson, but six hours is not enough time to qualify any new driver to drive alone. Use the log we provide to write down the hours you practice driving with you parent and the type of skills practiced. This will help you track your progress.

**Passing the DMV Drive Evaluation does not prove that you have all the necessary skills and experience to be a safe driver. It means you demonstrated the most remedial level of skill accepted by the state of California to attain a driver’s license. You will not have to drive on the freeway, parallel park or complete a three point turn during the test.

The efforts of this driving school, parents, and the DMV are worthless if you pass the DMV driving test and then make poor choices when you drive unsupervised. Honor the privilege you’ve earned. Set a goal to be the best driver you can. Be proud every day you drive safely and courteously.
(A future employer may request a copy of your DMV record as part of the hiring process. Your DMV record reflects if you’ve been responsible in the past.)

If you feel more nervous than enthusiastic about learning to drive, don’t worry. We’re here to help you develop your skills and confidence. We want Roadrunner students to feel as comfortable as possible even when they make mistakes and have questions to ask. We look forward to working with you.