Beginner Driving Fundamentals Program

This program is for pre-permit or permit drivers with little to no driving experience.  It is semi-private instruction utilizing the SSI 2300 Interactive Modular Driving Simulator.  This program allows inexperienced drivers to experience the fundamentals of driving before venturing behind the wheel of a vehicle on the open road.

The program is 10 hours in length:

  • 2 hrs. Responsibilities of Driving class that focuses on developing a healthy respect for driving and the consequences of making poor choices behind the wheel.
  • Four 2 hr. semi-private lessons on the SSI-2300 simulator designed to meet the following objectives:
    • provide a solid foundation of sound driver behavior that is reinforced through repetitive practice
    • interactively demonstrate problems that can arise while driving and provide feedback on proper actions and reactions

The skills taught are basic driving skills including hand and foot control, steering, entering and exiting roads, negotiating intersections and handling turns.  Additional skills developed are interacting with traffic, merging, exiting and passing.  Some advanced skills are introduced such as driving in inclement weather and risky situations.

Rules of the Road Class

The Rules of the Road Permit Prep Class is offered in conjunction with our Beginner Driving Fundamentals course.  It is a 3 hour course and is designed to provide novice drivers with:

  • a review of the rules of the road
  • practice permit test (as of October 22, 2012 this class is a preparatory class to assist students in their preparation to take the written test at the Motor Vehicle Department)

When a student passed the test they received a Certificate of Completion (COC) that was taken to the Motor Vehicle Division and their permit was issued.  This changed as of October 22, 2012, as students are now required to test at an MVD location.  The MVD has notified ALL driving schools in the state that they are indefinitely suspending the issuance and acceptance of COC’s and they will require that all applicants test at an MVD location.

A teenager is eligible for their permit at the age of 15 years and 6 months in the State of Arizona.  Any teenager under the age of 18 must obtain a permit and hold it for a minimum of 6 months before they are eligible for their license.  Even if a new driver is 18 years or older, we recommend getting a permit, receiving training and practicing driving for a minimum of 6 months before obtaining their license.

Add On:

Manual Transmission

The SSI 2300 Interactive Modular Driving Simulator also has a Manual Transmission option.  We offer the Beginner Driving Fundamentals course with Manual Transmission in a 10 hour course.  The student begins the course in automatic transmission and is introduced to manual transmission once the student has mastered some of the basics.

We also offer a stand alone 2 hour Manual Transmission course.  In this course a student learns to drive using a manual transmission without grinding gears and hopping.  The course includes practice in shift timing, actual shifting and proper vehicle handling.

Chris Senderling






Haley McCoy