1. When is my teen eligible for a permit?
2. How long is a permit valid and can I renew it?
3. When is my teen eligible for a driver’s license / how long do I have to keep a permit?
4. What are the restrictions with a permit?
5. What are the restrictions with a graduated license?
6. What documents are needed to obtain a permit / license?
7. What kind of testing occurs to obtain a permit?
8. What kind of testing occurs to obtain a license?
9. What is a graduated license (class G license)?
10. What is an operators license (class D license)?
11. Will I receive an insurance discount for taking these classes?
12. Who are the instructors and what are their credentials?
13. What does MVD licensed / certified mean?
14. What if I receive a ticket, can this driving school course satisfy court requirements?
15. How much does your program cost?
16. What are differences between 6 and 8 hour on road programming?
17. How much driving does my teen need to meet state requirements?
18. What helpful resources do you recommend?


1. When is my teen eligible for a permit?
The Arizona MVD requires that a teen must be at least 15 years 6 months to be eligible for a permit.

2. How long is a permit valid and can I renew it?
A permit is valid for one year from the issue date. If you are approaching expiration, you may renew for an additional year. If you renew BEFORE the permit has expired, you do not need to re-take the written test, however if you let your permit expire, you will be required to take the written test to obtain the permit again.

3. When is my teen eligible for a driver’s license / how long do I have to keep a permit?
The AZ MVD issues driver’s licenses to students who have held their permit for at least 6 months and have passed a road skills test.

4. What are the restrictions with a permit?
Individuals with an instruction permit must always be accompanied by a licensed driver (Class A,B,C or D) who is at least 21 years of age.

5. What are the restrictions with a graduated license?
Graduated licenses are issued to students between the ages of 16 and 18 who have held an instruction permit for at least 6 months. Students are allowed to drive by themselves without specific restrictions.

6. What documents are needed to obtain a permit / license?
All students are required by state and federal law to provide a social security number to verify identity. Also when applying for a permit / license, students are required to provide the following:

• Two types of documents – one must have a clear photo OR Three types of documents without a photo
• One document must be a primary source I.e.: AZ permit, birth certificate, US passport, AZ ID card, US Military ID card
• One document can be a Secondary document source I.E.: Social security card, w-2 form, bank card, school ID with photo, employee ID with photo, credit card
• All documents must be originals OR certified copies

7. What kind of testing occurs to obtain a permit?
Students must pass a written multiple choice exam passing with at least an 80% to be eligible for a permit.

8. What kind of testing occurs to obtain a license?
Students must pass a road skills exam, completed behind the wheel to be eligible for a driver license.

9. What is a graduated license (class G license)?
A graduated license is issued to students who are at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old who have held a valid AZ permit for at least 6 months.

10. What is an operators license (class D license)?
An operator license is issued to students over 18 years of age.

11. Will I receive an insurance discount for taking these classes?
All students completing a driving program through Desert Driving School will be issued a completion certificate to present to your insurance company. This certificate will satisfy most insurance carriers, however we highly recommend that you check with your insurance agent to determine whether your policy has specific requirements to be eligible for a discount.

12. Who are the instructors and what are their credentials?
All instructors have successfully completed background checks, obtained fingerprint clearance, completed extensive training, and passed an exam administered by the AZ Motor Vehicle Division. To meet our instructors, click here.

13. What does MVD licensed / certified mean?
The Arizona MVD approves and regulates professional driving schools. Schools must submit an application and provide extensive documentation regarding offered programming. Approved schools must meet and maintain certain criteria in order to be able to offer permit and license testing. If students pass testing for a permit or a license through a licensed school, they do not have to re-test at the MVD.

14. What if I receive a ticket, can this driving school course satisfy court requirements?
Desert Driving School does not provide traffic survival school or defensive driving school programming. If you receive a ticket, we recommend you contact the MVD to find approved schools that will provide you with programming that will satisfy court requirements.

15. How much does your program cost?
Please see our programs / packages page to see pricing structure

16. What are differences between 6 and 8 hour on road programming?
Desert Driving School offers a variety of programming to meet students’ individual needs. Our most popular programs include the 6 and 8 hour on road packages for students who have a valid AZ permit. The 6 hour program includes 2 lessons / 3 hours each. (For an additional charge, these lessons can be further broken down into 3 lessons / 2 hours each). Students are expected to have basic skills and at least 15 hours of on road time prior to signing up for this package. Instructors will work to provide students with a variety of skill building exercises including but not limited to the following:

• High volume traffic areas
• Downtown Phoenix with one way and reversible lanes
• Freeway driving
• Parallel parking
• Airport driving
• Defensive driving skill building

At the end of the 6 hours IF students are deemed ready, the instructor may administer the on road skills test for the driver license. Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible to receive license paperwork:

• Student must be deemed a safe driver
• Must pass the on road skills test
• Must provide proper identification documentation

The 8 hour program includes 3 lessons / 2 ½ hours each for the first 2 lessons and 3 hours for the final lesson. (For an additional charge, these lessons can be further broken down into 4 lessons / 2 hours each). This package is a more comprehensive service for students who have less than 15 hours of on road time. Instructors will work to provide students with a variety of skill building exercises including but not limited to the following:

• Basic Skill building
• Low volume traffic areas
• High volume traffic areas
• Downtown Phoenix with one way and reversible lanes
• Freeway driving
• Parallel parking
• Airport driving

At the end of the 8 hours IF students are deemed ready, the instructor may administer the on road skills test for the driver license.

There is no guarantee that students completing the 6 or 8 hour program will obtain a driver license. Individuals learn at different rates and some students may not be ready after 6 or 8 hours. Your individual instructor will provide information regarding your particular situation and advise you of your options throughout programming. A student must be safe and be able to pass the on road skills test.

17. How much driving does my teen need to meet state requirements?
An applicant for a class G license must have a current Arizona instruction permit, which has been held for at least 6 months, or have a driver license from another state. An applicant must also have successfully completed a state certified driver education program OR the parent / guardian must provide documentation that the student has completed at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice, with at least 10 night hours.

Further information can be found on the Arizona MVD website at http://www.azdot.gov.

18. What helpful resources do you recommend?
On the left hand side of our web site, we've listed our "Quick Resources" which provides links to the Motor Vehicle Division, its hours of operation and AAA. Additional resources can be found below.

MVD
Main Number - 602.255.0072
Website - http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/
MVD Locations and Hours - http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/OfficeHourssql/ofclink.asp
AAA
Website - http://www.aaa.com

AAA Insurance
Joseph Navarro
Phone: (602) 248-3726
Fax: (480) 423-8124
E-mail: jnavarro@arizona.aaa.com

Carroll's Automotive Wholesale
Mark Campell
Phone: 602-561-3456

The Used Car Factory of AZ
(Auto Body Repair / Sales)
6043 N. 53rd Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85301

Network Alignment
12639 N. Cave Creek Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85022
(602) 867-8061

On Trakk GPS Solutions
Phone: 888-866-3567
Email: AZOnTime@cox.net

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Website - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

9 Dragon's Kung Fu
20833 N. Cave Creek Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85024
(602) 795-1067
Be sure to mention Desert Driving School to receive a complimentary lesson, evaluation and redeem a $150 discount.