Oregon Driver Education Center, Inc
2600 Pringle Rd SE, Ste. 110
Salem, OR 97302
www.DriverEducationCenter.com
Salem (503) 581-3783
Portland (503) 297-4813
Fax (503) 362-6371
Dear Parents of Driver Education Students:
Congratulations on taking the steps necessary to help ensure the safety of your teenager. Students who
attend a formal driver education program in Oregon are much less likely to be involved in a collision or
traffic violation (NHTSA, 2005). Throughout the program, your teenager will be introduced to the
knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for a lifetime of safe driving practices. This responsibility is
shared with parents and guardians who serve as role models for the student driver. To help ensure the
success of your teen, please review the following policies and guidelines.
Parent Orientation: ODOT Required
In an effort to ensure the success of your son or daughter in this program, please plan to attend the
required parent/student orientation. Please contact our office for dates and times. Expectations,
objectives, and procedures will be reviewed. It is also a time to gain clarification regarding new laws
and driving techniques. Please come prepared to submit signed copies of the enclosed policy, health,
and release forms. For dates and times please refer to the schedule on-line. If for some reason you are
unable to attend the appropriate parent orientation, choose one that will better fit your schedule.
Classroom attendance
Attendance is mandatory. Students must fulfill a minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction.
Students exhibiting behaviors that are deemed to be disruptive to learning environment, or who are in
an impaired state, will be subject to suspension or expulsion. If a student attends less than the
required 30 hours of classroom, arrangements may be made to attend a future class. A nominal
processing fee may apply for each hour of make-up needed.
Tardiness
Tardiness is arriving to class past the scheduled start time or failing to return from a break at the
specified time. Excessive tardiness may result in course failure.
Materials Needed For a Successful Course
 Pens, pencils, erasers, and paper.
 Notebook or binder for papers and assignments.
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Course Credit/Grading Policy
**All assignments are due no later than the last day of class.
This ODOT certified course is a pass/fail course. Both the classroom phase and the Behind-the-Wheel
phase must be completed successfully in order to receive a “Pass” grade. Grading is based on the
following:
 Participation
 In-class worksheets/quizzes
 Homework
 Final exam
 Behind-The-Wheel driving performance
Pass/Fail Policies and Course Repeat Policies
Oregon Driver Education Center requires that all students enrolled in the ODOT approved driver
education course receive an 80% or better in the classroom and meet set benchmarks in each BTW
lesson. If a student is unable to achieve an overall grade of 80% in the classroom they will be given the
opportunity to bring their grade up to a passing level by retaking the final and/or making up class work.
If a student is unable to meet the benchmarks prescribed for each BTW lesson they will have the
opportunity to purchase additional lessons at the rate of $55.00 per hour.
Students who wish to re-take the course may do so by paying the full tuition amount and committing
to completion of the course.
Behind-The-Wheel (BTW)
Each student is required to complete 12 hours of in-car instruction; consisting of a minimum of 6
behind-the-wheel hours and 6 observation hours. Lessons are normally scheduled in two-week
intervals to provide opportunity for habit development. Behind-the-wheel lessons are conducted at
or near the classroom location. Please consider your schedule carefully before
committing to the BTW appointments. Both students must be present for a
Teaching
lesson to occur. Your drive partner is counting on you!
People
How to
Drive For
Life
In-Car Training Policies
 A “cancellation” is defined as any missed appointment previously
scheduled by the student, parent, or guardian.
 Arriving without the lawfully required instruction permit or license will be considered a late
cancellation.
 If a student is impaired for any reason, (Lack of sleep, medication, intoxication, etc.) the lesson
will be considered a late cancellation.
Curriculum & Text Books
ODEC is utilizing the curriculum adopted & approved by ODOT for Driver Education courses.
Students will be issued two supplemental books: “Your Car is a Monster: 10 Habits Will Keep It Caged!”
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and “Partnership for Driver Excellence” 6th Ed., both by Frederick R. Mottola. The books are ODEC
property and must be returned at end of classroom session. Classroom & in-car lesson plans utilize the
principles of low risk driver behavior outlined in these texts. Students are expected to complete
assigned reading in advance of their class. These also serve as useful guides for parents/supervising
adult.
In-Car Lessons
Lessons are designed to progress from simple (low speed, static environment) to complex (high speed,
dynamic environment). Driving skills are practiced in a variety of locations: off-street, residential areas,
arterials (both low & high volume), business areas, curves, and limited access highway.
Students must demonstrate the ability to perform the learning goals established for each lesson. With
guided practice between lessons, students are better prepared to meet the challenges of increasingly
complex driving environments. A final drive test will help the instructor determine whether or not the
student is capable of performing the required driving tasks.
Good communication with the driving instructor is critical. Please plan to spend a
few minutes at the end of each lesson to debrief with the instructor and find out
what skills the student needs to practice in preparation for the next lesson.
Failure to acquire adequate practice time is the most common cause of
course failure. If you are unable to provide adequate practice, you may want to
consider scheduling additional driving lessons for your son or daughter.
Monitoring
ODEC may employ the use of internal video monitoring equipment as part of a multifaceted approach
to protecting the safety and security of students, instructors, and property and promoting the highest
educational standards. ODEC recognizes it must balance the rights of privacy of students and staff with
its duty to provide a safe learning environment. Video monitoring shall be used only to promote the
order, safety, and teaching objectives of students, staff, and property. Staff and students are
prohibited from unauthorized use, tampering with, or otherwise interfering with video camera
equipment and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Supervised Practice
OAR 737-015-0030 (5)(d) Requires parent, legal guardian, or supervising adult involvement that
includes participating in a parent meeting and submitting documentation, in the form of a log or other
means, demonstrating to the provider that a minimum of five hours of supervised home practice was
conducted prior to the completion of the course. This supervised home practice is not counted as a
part of the classroom, behind-the-wheel, and practice driving observation of the provider course.
Classroom & In-car Dress Code
ODEC is committed to maintaining an appropriate climate in our classes. We are making every effort to
be consistent in establishing an acceptable dress code. A dress code policy enables us to promote a
safe and appropriate educational setting, which is free from unnecessary disruptions or outside
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influences.
Our main purpose is to assist students in presenting themselves in a manner that promotes a positive
and productive educational environment, personal pride, and program success. Students' dress shall
be modest, neat, clean, and in keeping with health, sanitary, and safety practices. To clearly establish
this climate, the following are not acceptable:










Any clothing, jewelry including buckles or items with gang symbols, nicknames, weapons, drug
references, profanity or obscene language.
Any clothing or items with racial put-downs, sexually demeaning pictures, words, numbers or
sexual innuendo.
Pants designed to sag below the hips will not be allowed. Pant legs must not drag on the
ground and pant legs must be worn evenly.
Belts are to be worn in the belt loops. No part of the belt should be hanging.
Buckles with any gang, drug/alcohol, tobacco signs or symbols, cut out letters, or numbers.
That which compromises modesty. Immodest clothing such as halter tops, tube tops, muscle
shirts, backless tops/dresses, see-through attire. Clothing that exposes inappropriate areas,
including undergarments and midriffs, shall not be worn at school.
Graffiti or gang-related symbols including gang nicknames, drawings or lettering on clothing,
notebooks, backpacks or assignments.
Chains such as security and dog chains.
Jewelry items that attract attention and are disruptive to the learning process including spiked
jewelry.
Overalls with one or both straps unfastened.
 Sunglasses and gloves.
 Full-length coats and rainwear inside the school.
Together,
 Stocking caps, hoods, scarves, hairnets, and bandanas.
We Can
 When driving, no flip-flops, high heels, or other footwear which
may impair the ability of the driver to safely operate the vehicle.
Make A
Difference!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Tuition
Except as otherwise indicated by institutional providers, the full tuition is due
no later than the first classroom session. The full tuition for a “Teen Basic”
course covers both classroom and in-car instruction. In response to factors
beyond our control, prices are subject to change without notice.
Lost or damaged Textbooks
Tuition does not cover lost or damaged textbooks. Certification will be withheld pending payment of
replacement cost.
 “Partnership for Driver Excellence”: $10
 “Your Car is a Monster: 10 Habits Will Keep It Caged”: $10
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General Policies
 NO IPOD’S, CELLPHONES AND/OR ANY OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES MAY BE USED IN THE
CLASSROOM AND YOUR BEHIND THE WHEEL LESSON.
 Behind-the-wheel and observation will be conducted OUTSIDE of class time and must be
completed within three months of the first day of class.
 Changes to the in-car training schedule must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the
scheduled lesson. Failure to do so will be considered a missed lesson. The tuition rate for
make-up and additional lessons is $55.00 per hour.
Authorization/Acknowledgement Requirements
The following documents are parental/guardian authorization for student records and need to be
provided directly to ODEC (No ODEC Instructor will accept these items):
 Policy acceptance/Summary of Fee’s
 Off-campus release (optional)
 Health Form
 BTW availability
 Confirmation and Evaluation (provide to ODEC after your student has completed the entire
classroom portion of the program)
For on-line access to these items please go to:
http://parentpacks.drivereducationcenter.com
Refund Policy
Except as otherwise indicated by institutional providers:
 No refunds will be given after the first day of class.
 If the class is cancelled, you will get a full refund of tuition and fees.
 All students must make a time commitment to both the classroom and driving instruction.
Attendance is mandatory. Students failing to attend scheduled classroom and driving
appointments will not receive a certificate or a refund.
Reduced Tuition
*IMPORTANT! LICENSED DRIVERS, OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS, AND STUDENTS OVER 18 YEARS
AND OLDER DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REDUCED TUITION RATE
The Driver Education program was designed to meet the State of Oregon Department of
Transportation requirements. To meet these requirements and qualify for State Certification a student
must successfully complete 30 or more hours of classroom instruction and 12 or more hours of in-car
instruction before their 18th birthday and prior to acquiring their license. All students must begin the
classroom instruction before they can start the behind the wheel instruction. The Driver Education
program is a self-supporting program. The cost of the program is shared by student tuition and state
reimbursement. Licensed and out-of-state drivers do not qualify for reimbursement funds.
Consequently, students not complying with these guidelines will be charged an additional $210. NO
REFUNDS will be provided for students who turn 18 or acquire their license prior to completing the
Driver Education program
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Completion Certificate
Upon successful completion of both classroom and in-car instruction the student’s parent/legal
guardian will be mailed a certificate of completion. Replacement certificates are available for a fee of
$10.
Summary of fees
 Obtaining a driver’s license prior to course completion: $210
 Failure to complete the course prior to turning 18: $210
In an effort to manage tuition and training rates for our valued customers, the following fees may
be applied:
 Additional lesson/Cancelation of lesson with less than 48hr notice: $55/hour
 Final Retake: $25
 Lost or stolen text book: $10
Saving
 Make-up class: $35
Lives for
Over 30
Years
Code of Conduct
 All Participants dress shall be modest, neat, clean, and in keeping
with health, sanitary and safety practices.
 All Participants shall treat all others with Respect and Dignity in all
settings, at all times.
 All Participants shall report to the Class session and to the Behind the Wheel appointments on
time and be prepared for the days activities.
 Conversations by all Participants will be limited to the learning material in-process.
Intimate/Personal information will not be discussed.
 All Participants will adhere to all Policies and Rules of Oregon Driver Education Center, Inc.,
Facility providing classroom and the State of Oregon Rules of the Road under the Vehicle Code.
 All Participants will restrain themselves from using any form of profane, abusive, suggestive,
explicit or derogatory language.
 Use of tobacco (smoking or chewing) is not permitted in classroom, facilities or vehicles.
 Zero Tolerance Policy applies to the following: Being under the influence of drugs, alcohol
and/or controlled substances, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or
use of alcohol and/or controlled substances is not allowed at any time.
 All Participants will be actively involved in the learning activities both in the classroom and in
the vehicle.
Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct will result in one of the following actions to be taken:
 Warning
 Suspension from Program
 Expulsion from Program.
Final determination of all actions to be taken will be made by authorized agents of ODEC.
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