1ST CHOICE DRIVING ACADEMY
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Getting You Road Ready
In preparing our children for the safest future, 1st Choice Driving Academy is pioneering the field of driver education through our dedication and commitment to our students’ needs. We offer a unique educational experience designed to enhance intellectual growth and to teach safe driving skills. We welcome all prospective students for a visit anytime.
6019 Columbus Pike
Lewis Center, OH 43035
(614) 907-5903
OFFICE HOURS
*Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 5pm
*Paperwork signing and documentation drop off is by scheduled appointment only on Fridays 11:30am or 4:00pm & Saturdays at 1:00pm
**Classroom classes, drive lessons and drivers exams will still continue on all days as scheduled**
Discounts Available
(inquire for details)
Driver Testing
1st Choice Driving Academy is proud to announce the opening of Ohio Driver Testing in partnership with the Ohio BMV. Our 3rd-party testing facility is located next door to 1st Choice Driving Academy at 77 Orangewick Dr. N. This facility is certified by the State of Ohio to administer the state driving test. Please read carefully the points below concerning both student test requirements and public (non-student) test requirements.
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1st Choice Students
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Please be advised that all 1st Choice Driving Academy students wanting to test with us must schedule the driving test through 1st Choice Driving Academy to ensure we meet all State of Ohio code requirements. Scheduling a student through the BMV website for Ohio Driver Testing could result in the students’ test having to be rescheduled.
2. All student driving tests are taken in our vehicles.
3. Make sure the student has the driving permit with them and any necessary documentation on the day of the test.
4.The first attempt of the driving test is a $50 fee payable by cash or credit card on the day of the test.
5. Additional attempts, if necessary, will be $50 for full test and $25 for a partial test (a partial test would be either maneuverability or road test).
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Public (non-Student of 1st Choice)
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All Public (non-Student of 1st Choice) driving tests can be scheduled through the BMV.ohio.gov or by calling 740-201-8377
2. Ohio Driving Testing operates Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm with last appointment at 4:30pm and Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm with last appointment at 1:30pm. You may rent a car for the test for an additional $15 fee.
3. Make sure you have the driving permit with you and all necessary documentation on the day of the test.
4. There is a fee of $50 for a full test and $25 for a partial test (a partial test would be either maneuverability or road test)
6. Same day, walk-in tests are welcome if time allows, there is no guarantee of a test. Same day, walk-in tests are a $70 fee for a full test and $35 for a partial test.
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Making a Difference
ABOUT US
At 1st Choice Driving Academy we are a family owned business proudly providing to Delaware, OH, Powell, OH, Lewis Center, OH, Worthington, OH and other surrounding areas a service that is near and dear to our hearts. This life adventure started from us being in the exact position you are in, looking for a good program to assist you and your child with driver education. We are here to help your child become a responsible, safe driver and too successfully achieve the privilege of having a drivers license. 1st Choice Driving Academy provides an enriched classroom learning environment that can be started as early as 15 yr 5 mo. Students can procure their permit at 15 yr 6 mo to begin behind-the-wheel with our instructors that are dedicated to helping students achieve a higher level of driving ability and understanding. It's really not about us, it's all about the students! Give us a call if you need more information.
Notice-Please Read
House Bill 74 went into effect on May 1st, 2022.. This included the provision that students must complete all 24 hours of either the classroom classes or the online course before participating in their driving portion.
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What this means for 1st Choice Driving Academy students:
***Classroom students will be placed on the in-car waitlist by the pay date for the classroom/drive package and must have all 8 classes completed to be scheduled for in-cars when they reach the top of the in-car waitlist
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***On-line students may be registered/paid for the drive only package prior to completing the 24-hour on-line course to be placed on the in-car waitlist by their pay date with the understanding that they will not be scheduled when they reach the top of the list if they are not complete with the 24-hour on-line course and have their certificate of completion.
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***Registration and payment must be completed from our website prior to coming to the office to ensure your students paperwork is ready.
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NOTICE FOR CLASSROOM STUDENTS***Starting July 5th***Class Orientation MUST be attended by a parent and the student on the 1st class from approximately 4:15pm to 4:45pm to complete registration and paperwork. If a parent and the student do not attend the orientation a $20 fee will be accessed. If the Class Orientation cannot be attended, please notify the office prior to the 1st class to make other arrangements to complete registration and paperwork.
NO WAIT REGISTRATION SIMPLIFIED
At 1st Choice Driving Academy we know schedules are busy. We have simplified registration and scheduling as much as we could. All you have to do is click the "Register" button and fill out the short form and submit. Next you click the "Purchase" button located on this page or "Pricing/Pay" at the top of the page and then choose the service you are looking for. In-cars will be scheduled once your student reaches the top of the in-car waitlist and has completed either the classroom classes or received their 24 Hour certificate from the on-line provider.
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OUR SCHOOL
At our newly remodeled facility you will feel right at home in a safe and comfortable learning environment. Our late model vehicles are professionally decaled to provide the highest level of visibility to ensure the students safety.
MEET THE FAMILY
Our family is dedicated to providing your family the best possible experience as we partner together in creating safe Ohio drivers.
1ST CHOICE ATÂ A GLANCE
CLASSROOM/BTW & BTW ONLY FOR ONLINE STUDENTS
Instructor, Dennis Bowman and his highly trained team of instructors at 1st Choice Driving Academy go out of their way to engage the students and inspire them to inquire and learn. This class consists of 10 units of state provided curriculum that can be completed in 8 -3 hour classes. The classes are Monday through Thursday from 4:15pm to 7:30pm and run on a rolling schedule. We do ask for a 2 week commitment to get the classes completed. Class 1 must be the first attended class and class 8 must be the last attended class. Included with the traditional class package is the 8 hour BTW. We are limited to the number of students that can
attend so a seat must be confirmed for your student.
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NOTICE***Starting July 5th***Class Orientation MUST be attended by a parent and the student on the 1st class from approximately 4:15pm to 4:30pm to complete registration and paperwork. If a parent and the student do not attend the orientation a $20 fee will be accessed. If the Class Orientation cannot be attended, please notify the office prior to the 1st class to make other arrangements to complete registration and paperwork.
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The BTW can also be purchased separately for those students who are taking the online course. We take the certificates from all Ohio approved on-line providers.
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The BTW drive sessions allow the student to practice and experience driving with a state certified instructor. The drives consist of 4-2 hour sessions and include maneuverability on every lesson (weather permitting).
**Please be advised that on-line students must have the original 24 hour completion certificate from the on-line provider to schedule in-cars once they reach the top of the in-car wait list. If they do not have the 24 hour certificate, they will not be scheduled for in-cars until they do.
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Hurry and purchase now - there are limited spaces for class and drive times. Give us a call today if you want to learn more or click button below to purchase.
BEHIND-THE-WHEEL SCHEDULING
On-line scheduling is currently unavailable. Once you are paid you are on the in-car waitlist by pay date. Please be advised that the classroom classes or an on-line course must be completed to schedule.
**Notice To Parents**
Please be advised that it is a State of Ohio requirement that students under the age of 18 must do a minimum of 50 hours of drive time, 10 hours of this being at night, with a parent or guardian. We require a minimum of 20 hours of this requirement be done with the parent or guardian prior to the in-car instruction with our instructors.
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Also, per state code, there is a 6 month time limit for your student to complete the program whether it is classroom and drive or drive only. The 6 months starts on the day you sign the training agreement. If the agreement is not completed within the 6 months the student must start over and purchase again.
CLASSROOM SCHEDULE
Our classes consist of 8-3 hour sessions. They are held Monday-Thursday from 4:00pm to 7:15pm. Class 1 must be attended first and class 8 must be attended last. Please click the calendar button below to view the classroom schedule.
ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION
For new students wishing to do the online option for the 24 hours of class time required for drivers ED, we have partnered with 2 Cool Traffic School. Please use the "Purchase On-line Course" button provided below to access their website and purchase the on-line course. The cost for the on-line course is $79.99 which includes the digital certificate of completion.
We can except the 24-hour completion certificate from any provider that is approved for the state of Ohio.
With this option the student will receive their 24-Hour Completion Certificate as a digital copy from the on-line provider. Please print out the pdf to turn into our office. The state of Ohio does not allow us to accept a photocopy of a picture of this certificate. The student MUST turn in to our office the 24-hour completion certificate and have all paperwork signed by the parent/guardian PRIOR to their first in-car session date.
**Please be advised that on-line students must have the 24-hour completion certificate from the on-line provider to schedule in-cars once they reach the top of the in-car wait list. If they do not have the 24-hour certificate, they will not be scheduled for in-cars until they do.
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ADULT ABBRIEVATED
Starting July 1, 2017, adults age 18 years and older who have never held a driver license before and who fail their first attempt at the maneuverability and/or road test are required to take an Abbreviated Adult Training Course. A completion certificate showing successful completion of the course (both classroom/on-line and driving) must be presented to the testing station before a second attempt at the Ohio driving test can be done. For more information or to sign up with 2Cool Traffic School for the on-line class option click the button below.
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​ ADULT REMEDIAL
This course is required by all drivers who have had their license suspended. It is optional for people who want to get a two point credit on their driving record to prevent a license suspension caused by too many points. To sign up with 2Cool Traffic School for the on-line class option click the button below.
Adult private driving lessons have been suspended and are not available from June 1, 2024 to August 1, 2024
For more information on our courses, rates and availability, feel free to contact us.
How To Get Started
First Issuance
Downloadable
Forms
50 Hour Afidavidt
Drive safe, it's not a race.
