BEFORE A STUDENT BEGINS

• The indieDriver Agreement Form must be filled out and signed by both parent and student, and handed in to the instructor. If applicable, a Medical Evaluation Form (CR-24) must be completed by a physician before the student can begin driving. Per the Bureau of Motor Vehicles: Conditions for which a person is required to submit a report to the Secretary of State include, but are not limited to, alterations/loss of consciousness, cardiovascular, chronic pulmonary, hypoglycemia, musculoskeletal, neurological (including dementia, epilepsy/seizures, narcolepsy, sleep apnea), substance use, mental/emotional, and visual disorders. Certain medications, including those for ADHD and anxiety, may also apply. For more information go to maine.gov/sos/bmv/licenses/medical.html
• A visual acuity exam will be administered to each student. If your child wears glasses or contact lenses for distance, please be sure he/she brings them. If your child is unable to meet the minimum requirement of 20/40 vision in one eye, and doesn’t have corrective lenses that bring them into compliance, they will need to obtain corrective lenses to meet the minimum requirement prior to beginning the driving portion of the class.
• Tuition as of June 1, 2024 is $650. Complete payment is due by the 4^th class, unless other arrangements have been made. Siblings of previous students receive a 10% discount. ALL TUITION AND FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
• The textbooks we use in class remain in our possession, but you are able to purchase one if you desire. The cost is the replacement cost of the book and can be purchased from us when available, or if you are a AAA member you can purchase a book from them. Each student will be provided a current Maine Motorist Handbook to keep.
• The classroom and behind-the-wheel hours must be completed in a timely manner, so please make sure that as a family you have looked ahead to the next couple months and feel confident that you can fit it all into your schedule. Once a student begins, we assume they are going to make each element of Drivers’ Ed a priority!
• Note: until your child has been issued their State of Maine Class C Permit, they may not drive on any public street, with ANYONE but a licensed instructor, and only in a state-approved drivers’ ed car.

Regulated by: Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles,

Driver Education Program, 624-9000 ext. 52128.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

To receive a completion certificate, the following requirements must be met:

Classroom

Students must complete all 30 hours of classroom instruction whether in person or via remote learning. The State of Maine mandates that a student may not be in class for more than three hours within a 24 hour period, and ten hours within seven days. If, for any reason, a student misses any part of any class, that actual time must be made up by attending the same section during a different class. The student can do this at another indieDriver class prior to the end of his/her own class end date without interfering with their own class schedule. If a concurrent class is not taking place within a reasonable time, a separate class may be scheduled, subject to an hourly rate. See below for time limits set by the state.

Driving

Students must complete all 10 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, with one of our instructors in one of our cars. Please note the procedures for scheduling drives. If the student needs to cancel, notice is appreciated at least 12 hours prior to the scheduled drive. If a student gives less than 12 hours notice a missed appointment fee may be applied (see below).

Final Exam

The student must pass the (written) permit test with an 80% or higher. The test is comprised of 50 multiple choice questions. If the student fails the written permit test, they will have to retake the exam. Students may retake the exam during the same class, as often as time allows. A $25.00 fee may be charged for each retake. If the student runs out of time, or chooses to come back at another time, the student must make arrangements with the instructor, and a additional scheduling fee will apply. Please see the “policies” section for information about taking the test orally or for requesting other assistance.

Parent Participation

The State of Maine requires that a parent or guardian complete at least one of three activities:

• Attend the driving schools 90 minute orientation – this is mandated for zoom classes.
• Observe two hours of classroom instruction
• Ride along with the student and instructor for at least one hour

Parents are always welcome to come to any class or along on any drive (it does help if you can give us reasonable advance notice as it will allow us to make sure we bring a car that will comfortably accommodate you).

Time Limit

If a student withdraws from the course, in writing, after the start of the classes you have contracted for, the student has 6 months to finish this course with no additional fee. After 6 months the student will have to retake the entire class. The regular tuition applies in this instance. State law mandates that the maximum time between classes or drives is 6 months.

Additional Fees

• Missed Appointment Fee: $65 an hour. If a student fails to show for a scheduled drive or make-up class, or does not cancel within a reasonable time frame, we reserve the right to assess our standard hourly rate.

• Returned checks: $18.00 or the assessed bank fees, whichever is greater.
• Fuel Surcharge (TBD):  in the event of increased fuel costs a surcharge may be added to the course fee. This will be posted in advance

ALL FEES must be paid prior to the student taking the permit test. In the event there is an outstanding balance no FINAL written test will be given to that student until all fees have been paid.

AFTER COMPLETION

Getting the permit

Once we issue the student a (blue) Course Completion Certificate, which is also a temporary permit, you will then need to either go to a BMV office where they will print out the Permit or mail in the necessary paperwok. Other paperwork you will need to bring:

• Class C Application (note that this includes the driver’s Social Security Number)
• Copy of Birth Certificate or valid Passport
• Proof of Residency (please go to http://maine.gov/sos/bmv/licenses/residency.html for a comprehensive list of acceptable documents)
• $35 (cash, check or charge)

The BMV will return the top half of the CCC. Keep that safe—your insurance company will most likely request to see it once the license has been issued. We cannot reissue a blue Course Completion Card; however, we can write a letter to your insurance company confirming completion of the Driver’s Education course at indieDriver.

Driving with a permit

The State of Maine requires a minimum of 70 hours of supervised driving, at least 10 of which must be nighttime, before a person can apply for a license test. These hours must be documented in a log. The supervisor must be an adult who is at least 20 years old, has had a valid license for the last two years, and is capable of both safe and sound judgment. This person is responsible for the permitted driver, and therefore is subject to all laws for drivers (i.e., sobriety, distracted driving, etc). The permitted driver must also drive for at least 6 months, and be at least 16 years old, before they are eligible to test for a license. The original permit must be in the car at all times when the permitted driver is at the wheel.

Getting the license

Once the permitted driver is eligible, they submit their driving log, which serves as an application (note, the history number which is required can be found on the permit). The BMV will then send a letter specifying the date and time of the assigned test.

Road-Test Review:

Included in your indieDriver tuition is a one hour refresher prior to the Road Test.

The review requires the student meet the instructor at the BMV in Portland, 125 Presumpscot Street. It will be conducted in the student’s car, preferably the one that will be used for the test. We will administer a “mock test” so that you know what to expect from the moment you arrive for your test until it’s over, and includes our evaluation (this is not provided to the BMV or recorded in any way; it is strictly for your reference). To schedule a review contact us at least 14 days in advance or when mailing in your paperwork to the state. Failure to give us adequate advance notice may result in our inability to schedule a review as we cannot guarantee our availability within a two week span.

indieDriver Policies

Cancellation of Class or Drive

The safety of our students and instructors is our primary concern. Classroom and/or behind the-wheel instruction may be canceled due to inclement weather, staff emergencies or other reasonable instances. indieDriver will make every reasonable effort to notify each student or parent via phone or text. The information will be posted, when possible, on local news channels, similar to school cancellations. If we cancel a session there is no makeup fee and we will reschedule the missed session as soon as possible, while still adhering to the driver education laws and regulations of the State of Maine.

Special Assistance

We want our students to succeed, and will do anything we can to support them through this process.. If a student or parent feels that the student needs greater assistance in understanding (reading) any of the material or any other help please feel free to contact the instructor. We are happy to provide whatever assistance is necessary, within our means, and adheres to state policy. Should special assistance be needed, the student may either have someone over 20 years of age come in with him/her to read the questions for them, or one of our instructors will be happy to do this for them. This must be at a time other than the scheduled class time, to avoid distracting the others while they are testing, and to avoid any possible embarrassment to the student.

Expectations of Students/Behavior Policies

In order to create a safe environment whether in the classroom or during remote learning for all students and instructors, we ask simply for common-sense respect:

• Zero Tolerance: Absolutely no harrassment; to include but not limited to teasing, bullying, fighting, inappropriate physical contact or language or use of foul language shall be permitted. IF A STUDENT SHOWS UP TO ANY PART OF THE COURSE IMPAIRED, CARRYING A WEAPON, OR CAUGHT WITH ANY FORM OF ILLEGAL DRUGS, HE/SHE WILL BE DISMISSED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE AND WITHOUT REFUND.
• Citizenship: Common decency is the rule. Don’t talk out of turn or have side conversations during class, observe the authority of the instructor, clean up after yourself, and take the whole process seriously.

• • Technology: Cell phones should be turned off during class and while in the vehicles. Headsets are not allowed in the classroom or in the vehicle. Remote learning requires a device to connect to the class session.

• Dress Code: While in the classroom students must dress appropriately. Common sense says, if you cannot wear it to your school don’t wear it here. Clothing that depicts sex, drugs, violence or racism, or is too revealing, is not permitted.

Discipline Procedures

First offense: Instructor will give student a verbal warning

Second offense: Instructor or owner will speak to parent

Third offense: Student will be dismissed from that session and will only be allowed to return after a meeting with both parent and owner that satisfies the owner’s concerns.

These Policies are on file with the Secretary of State, Bureau of

Motor Vehicles, Driver Education Program, 624-9000 ext. 52128.

Details About Behind-the-Wheel Instruction

Coordinating driving sessions can be challenging when dealing with many different students and schedules! Thank you for cooperating with the following as it will make the process significantly easier on the instructors and all other students:

1. Students (not parents) are responsible to schedule their (7) drives, by signing up with the instructor directly. Students may request certain instructors, and we will do our best to accommodate this request. We ask that students consider their schedule ahead of time, so that cancellations can be kept to a minimum.
2. We plan our drives thoughtfully so that each student can progress. We are happy to provide you with a specific teaching plan as well as planned locations for each drive.
3. Each drive is between one and two hours, with a provision for a five minute break if needed. The State of Maine mandates that no student shall drive more than two hours within a 24 hour period.
4. Students must arrive on time at the designated meeting place. If the instructor arrives and the student is not present, the instructor will make every effort to contact the student. Once ten minutes passes with no response from the student, it will be considered a missed appointment.
5. We make every effort to make the drives convenient, fitting with your schedule. With the exception of the first drive, which begins and ends at indieDriver, all drives can begin and end where the student is or needs to be (school, practice, etc). We will assume that we are beginning and ending at your house unless we hear otherwise, so please contact us before the start of the drive as we often schedule based on locations of students. We also can not guarantee that we can begin or end at a different location if it is more than five miles from the original plan. If you live outside our radius (ten miles from the classroom) we may ask you to meet us at a mutually-convenient location.
6. Instructors will make every reasonable attempt to work with a student’s busy or unusual schedule. However, please note that each instructor sets limits on which days they can drive, and how many hours each day. An over-worked instructor is not going to be able to keep a student safe!
7. During certain times of the year we can have as many as 70 students trying to get in their drive time. Students may be asked to schedule ahead one to two weeks, rather than expecting to be able to schedule something within the next couple days. Driving slots can start as early as an hour before dawn, and end as late as an hour after dark, so some students may have to be flexible and accept “undesirable” times in order to finish. We do not give preferential treatment, but will consider extenuating circumstances.
8. Drives are scheduled individually; we do not require another student to ride along. We are happy to accommodate a student who would feel more comfortable “sharing” a drive with a friend. However, that friend must also be a current student, and please note that observation time in the back seat does not count as drive time. This may mean that a student is in the car longer than they would be if they were on their own. No sleeping in the back seat while in the vehicle.
9. All footwear must have a strap around the heel. Please wear comfortable shoes; sneakers are recommended. Not permitted are: chunky soles, heavy work boots, high-heels, flip flops or other similar shoes. Wide leg pants are discouraged as they can get caught on pedals and cause hazardous conditions. No dresses or skirts. Please refer to the dress code under “Expectations of Students.”

IndieDriver Harassment Policy

Policy Statement

This defines the harassment policy of IndieDriver Educational Services LLC.

The most productive and satisfying learning environment is one in which work is accomplished in a spirit of mutual trust and respect. Harassment is a form of discrimination that is offensive, impairs morale, undermines the integrity of classroom relationships and causes serious harm to the productivity, efficiency and stability of our organization.

All students and students have a right to work in an environment free from discrimination and harassing conduct, including sexual harassment. Harassment on the basis of a student’s race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, sex, arrest or conviction record, marital status, sexual orientation, membership in the military reserve or use or nonuse of lawful products away from work is expressly prohibited under ttheir policy. Harassment on any of these bases is also illegal Statutes.

This policy will be issued, via policy statement, to all current students during orientation of new students.

Definitions

In general, harassment means persistent and unwelcome conduct or actions on any of the bases underlined above. Sexual harassment is one type of harassment and includes unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature or unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature includes, but is not limited to

The repeated making of unsolicited, inappropriate gestures or comments;

The display of offensive sexually graphic materials not necessary for our work;

Harassment on any basis (race, sex, age, disability, etc.) exists whenever

Submission to harassing conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s participation or completion.

Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for a completion decision affecting an individual.

The conduct interferes with an student’s work or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment.

Recognizing Harassment

Harassment may be subtle, manipulative and is not always evident. It does not refer to occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature. It refers to behavior that is not welcome and is personally offensive. All forms of gender harassment are covered.

Some examples:

Verbal:
Jokes, insults and innuendoes (based on race, sex, age, disability, etc.), degrading sexual remarks, referring to someone as a stud, hunk or babe; wtheirtling; cat calls; comments on a persons body or sex life, or pressures for sexual favors.

Non-Verbal:
Gestures, staring, touching, hugging, patting, blocking a person’s movement, standing too close, brushing against a person’s body, or display of sexually suggestive or degrading pictures, racist or other derogatory cartoons or drawings.

Grievance Procedure

Any student who believes he or she is being harassed, or any student who becomes aware of harassment, should promptly notify their instructor. If the student believes that the instructor is the harasser, the instructor’s instructor should be notified. If a student is uncomfortable discussing harassment with their instructor, the student should contact their parent and have them contact Tony or Kim Vine. Information on your right to file a state or federal harassment complaint is also available from Maine.Gov.

Upon notification of a harassment complaint, a confidential and impartial investigation will be promptly commenced and will include direct interviews with involved parties and wtheire necessary with students who may be witnesses or have knowledge of matters relating to the complaint. The parties of the complaint will be notified of the findings and their options.

Non-retaliation

This policy also expressly prohibits retaliation of any kind against any student bringing a complaint or assisting in the investigation of a complaint. Such student may not be adversely affected in any manner related to their course completion.

Disciplinary Action

IndieDriver Educational Services LLC, views harassment and retaliation to be among the most serious breaches of behavior. Consequently, appropriate disciplinary or corrective action, ranging from a warning to termination, can be expected.