Teenagers looking to take their driving tests will no longer have to deal with long wait times or lines at the DMV as they now have the option to take tests at East Texas Driving School here in Marshall.
The school was recently certified to give driving tests, making it one out of five driving schools in Texas to do so.
The test is only available to teens ages 16 and 17, but in January, residents age 18 to 25 will be able to take the test as well. Soon after, residents older 18 to any age will be able to take the driving test.
“I'm the only one in East Texas to give it. They'd have to go to Katy, Texas, to another driving school to give the road test," owner Angela Roberts said. "I'm happy. I'm excited to be the first and the only one."
The school became certified earlier this month, and Roberts said it was much more intense when she had to work to get a license to open the school.
“This was the hardest, when I tell you this was the ultimate, it was. The test was hard,” she said. “I went through a lot just to get the license (to have her school), and this is why so many other driving schools are not participating in it because it is so intense, the stuff that we have to go through to even become certified to give the road test.”
The day she had her route approved for the road test she had her first student, Jake Williams, 17, take it and pass it.
“It was a breeze,” he said. “Angela is a good teacher and made everything clear so it makes it easier.”
His mother, Dana, also sang Roberts’ praises while sharing her excitement and nervousness of her son getting on the road.
“I’m real excited for him. I really like Angela; she’s nice, kind, patient and she explained everything that he needed to know … the rules and regulations ... she made it very easy and this is exciting for him,” she said. “At first I was nervous, it’s an experience letting him go but I’m excited for him.”
The school offers hands-on learning to students through games, demonstrations, role plays and more. Students also get the chance to learn how to pump their own gas and go underneath the hood of the car to see how it operates.
“(Students have) been in school all day with these books and learning, let them come back and make learning fun,” Roberts said. “That’s what we try to do.”
A course also is given to students to ensure they’ll be collision free within their first year of driving.
“Even if you don’t take the whole program with East Texas Driving School, let the children at least take the classroom portion,” Roberts said. “They will so benefit from the program because we teach every aspect of it.”
The school opened seven years ago. Roberts took a defensive driving class after receiving a ticket, and because of how talkative she was, her instructor suggested she teach classes. Since then she’s experienced her highs and lows, but said she’s glad she went this route. Pun intended.
“It’s been a struggle, but we’re still here and don’t plan on going anywhere.”
The school offers defensive driving classes, written tests and driving tests for students to receive their licenses.
“I’m still in shock that me, Angela Roberts, a native of Marshall, born and raised here, is able to give out the actual tests for a person to go and get their license,” she said.
Defensive driving classes are offered on second Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $25, and through the end of October, driving tests are $50 teens and $50 for students of East Texas Driving School. Prices will go up to $75 beginning in November.
Students need to produce their D9-64 forms to show that they’ve taken driver’s education before they can take their tests.
The school was recently certified to give driving tests, making it one out of five driving schools in Texas to do so.
The test is only available to teens ages 16 and 17, but in January, residents age 18 to 25 will be able to take the test as well. Soon after, residents older 18 to any age will be able to take the driving test.
“I'm the only one in East Texas to give it. They'd have to go to Katy, Texas, to another driving school to give the road test," owner Angela Roberts said. "I'm happy. I'm excited to be the first and the only one."
The school became certified earlier this month, and Roberts said it was much more intense when she had to work to get a license to open the school.
“This was the hardest, when I tell you this was the ultimate, it was. The test was hard,” she said. “I went through a lot just to get the license (to have her school), and this is why so many other driving schools are not participating in it because it is so intense, the stuff that we have to go through to even become certified to give the road test.”
The day she had her route approved for the road test she had her first student, Jake Williams, 17, take it and pass it.
“It was a breeze,” he said. “Angela is a good teacher and made everything clear so it makes it easier.”
His mother, Dana, also sang Roberts’ praises while sharing her excitement and nervousness of her son getting on the road.
“I’m real excited for him. I really like Angela; she’s nice, kind, patient and she explained everything that he needed to know … the rules and regulations ... she made it very easy and this is exciting for him,” she said. “At first I was nervous, it’s an experience letting him go but I’m excited for him.”
The school offers hands-on learning to students through games, demonstrations, role plays and more. Students also get the chance to learn how to pump their own gas and go underneath the hood of the car to see how it operates.
“(Students have) been in school all day with these books and learning, let them come back and make learning fun,” Roberts said. “That’s what we try to do.”
A course also is given to students to ensure they’ll be collision free within their first year of driving.
“Even if you don’t take the whole program with East Texas Driving School, let the children at least take the classroom portion,” Roberts said. “They will so benefit from the program because we teach every aspect of it.”
The school opened seven years ago. Roberts took a defensive driving class after receiving a ticket, and because of how talkative she was, her instructor suggested she teach classes. Since then she’s experienced her highs and lows, but said she’s glad she went this route. Pun intended.
“It’s been a struggle, but we’re still here and don’t plan on going anywhere.”
The school offers defensive driving classes, written tests and driving tests for students to receive their licenses.
“I’m still in shock that me, Angela Roberts, a native of Marshall, born and raised here, is able to give out the actual tests for a person to go and get their license,” she said.
Defensive driving classes are offered on second Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $25, and through the end of October, driving tests are $50 teens and $50 for students of East Texas Driving School. Prices will go up to $75 beginning in November.
Students need to produce their D9-64 forms to show that they’ve taken driver’s education before they can take their tests.
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