Classroom Driver Education

• Nichols Driving School offers in-person Driver Education classes throughout the year.
• Students must be at least 15 years and 9 months old to begin the classroom portion of Driver Education.
• A learner’s permit is NOT required to begin classroom instruction.

One-Week Accelerated Classes

Our one-week accelerated classes are offered primarily during school vacations and summer break.

Typical Schedule: Monday–Friday

Time: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM

Students receive two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch break each day.

Holiday Schedule Notice: If an accelerated class is scheduled during a week that includes a holiday, the days of the week may be adjusted to accommodate the holiday while still meeting the required 30 hours of classroom instruction.

Please carefully review the specific dates listed for each class session when registering, as accelerated classes may not always run Monday through Friday.

Two-Week Classes

Our two-week classes are offered throughout the year based on availability.

Schedule: Monday–Friday

Time: 4:00 PM–7:15 PM

Please refer to our current Class Schedule for upcoming dates and availability.

Minimum Enrollment Requirement

A minimum of 10 students must be registered for a scheduled class to proceed.

If the minimum enrollment requirement is not met, Nichols Driving School reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the class.

If a class is canceled due to insufficient enrollment:

• Refunds will not be issued due to the class cancellation.
• Students will be offered alternative class dates to accommodate the canceled session.
• Any payments already made will be applied toward the student's rescheduled class.
• We will make every reasonable effort to provide the next available class option that works with the student's schedule.

We encourage families to review upcoming class dates when registering so they are aware of alternative options in the event a scheduled class does not meet the minimum enrollment requirement.

Massachusetts Driver Education Requirements

Students under age 18 who wish to obtain a Massachusetts Junior Operator License (JOL) must complete an approved Driver Education program.

The complete Driver Education program includes:

• 30 hours of classroom instruction
• 12 hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction
• 6 hours of observation
• 2-hour Parent/Guardian Class
• Successful completion of the Driver Education final exam with a score of 80% or higher

Two-Year Program Completion Requirement

Students are expected to complete all Driver Education requirements within two years of beginning the program.

Students who exceed the two-year completion period may require an extension or additional approval from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) before they are permitted to continue completing their remaining requirements.

Additional Fees May Apply

Students who do not complete the program within the allotted two-year period may be subject to additional fees if an extension is approved and additional services are required.

Because the cost of providing behind-the-wheel instruction may change over time, students returning after their original program period has expired may be required to pay the difference between the rate originally paid and the current rate for driving lessons or other remaining services.

Any additional amount due will be based on Nichols Driving School's current pricing at the time the student resumes the program.

Refunds will not be issued solely because a student did not complete the Driver Education program within the required two-year timeframe.

Junior Operator License Requirements

For drivers under age 18, Massachusetts requires the learner’s permit to be held in good standing for at least six months before the student becomes eligible for a road test.

Students must also complete all applicable Driver Education requirements before becoming eligible for a Junior Operator License.

Drivers Age 18 and Older

Drivers who are 18 years of age or older are not required to complete the full teen Driver Education program or hold their learner’s permit for six months before becoming eligible for a road test.

However, a valid Massachusetts learner’s permit is required to take a Massachusetts road test, regardless of age.

Nichols Driving School provides a complete Massachusetts Driver Education program designed to help teens develop the knowledge, experience, confidence, and safe driving habits needed to become responsible drivers.

30-Hour Classroom Instruction

Students complete 30 hours of classroom instruction consisting of 15 state-mandated modules established by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Our classroom program covers Massachusetts driving laws, rules of the road, defensive driving, hazard awareness, safe decision-making, and other essential topics for new drivers.

2-Hour Parent/Guardian Class

We provide the required 2-hour Parent/Guardian Class to help families understand Massachusetts Junior Operator requirements, supervised driving responsibilities, and the Driver Education process.

12 Hours of Behind-the-Wheel Instruction

Students receive 12 hours of professional behind-the-wheel instruction with certified Driver Education instructors using properly equipped Driver Education vehicles.

6 Hours of Observation

Students complete 6 hours of required observation, allowing them to learn by observing another student driver and instructor during real-world driving situations.

Home & School Pick-Up and Drop-Off

For students located within our designated service area, we offer home or school pick-up and drop-off for on-road lessons, subject to instructor availability and scheduling.

Professional Driver Education Vehicles

Our lessons are conducted in state-compliant Driver Education vehicles equipped with passenger-side instructor brakes and required Student Driver identification for safety.

Certified Driver Education Instructors

Students receive instruction from trained and certified Driver Education instructors focused on developing safe driving habits, sound judgment, confidence, and real-world driving skills.

Road Test Sponsorship Options

Nichols Driving School also offers road test sponsorship options for eligible students. Road test sponsorship and applicable RMV fees are separate from Driver Education program services unless otherwise specifically stated.

Our goal is to provide students with more than the minimum requirements needed to obtain a license. We want our students to leave Driver Education with the skills, confidence, and safe driving habits they can use for a lifetime.

The parent classes are held once a month and must be completed for students to schedule their on-road driving lessons.

If a parent has completed a parent class for another child within a 5-year period, the parent class does not need to be taken again, however the parent is required to inform the driving school of the completion of a parent class. If the parent class was completed at another driving school, a copy of the parent class certificate is required as proof of completion.

Enroll in a Parent Class: Parents can enroll in an upcoming parent class by logging into their teens Nichols Driving School, driver education student portal account. Your username and password are required and should have been emailed upon registering for an upcoming teen course. Once logged into the teens driving school account, go to ENROLL, INCLUDE PARENT CLASS $0.00, and select the date you can attend class.

WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THE COMPLETION OF THE REQUIRED 18 HOURS OF IN-CAR LESSONS WITH LESS THAN A 6-MONTH PERIOD. STUDENTS ENROLLING IN A DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE NOW OR SOON FOR A ROAD TEST MAY STILL HAVE TO WAIT 6 MONTHS TO COMPLETE ALL THE REQUIRED ON-ROAD HOURS. WE RECOMMEND SPREADING ON-ROAD LESSONS OUT ACCORDINGLY.

• 1ST TO 2ND MONTH OF OBTAINING A PERMIT SCHEDULE 1 TO 2 ON-ROAD LESSONS
• 3RD MONTH OF OBTAINING A LEARNER'S PERMIT, SCHEDULE 3RD AND 4TH ON ROAD LESSONS
• 4TH MONTH OF OBTAINING A LEARNER'S PERMIT, SCHEDULE 5TH AND 6TH ON-ROAD LESSONS
• 5TH MONTH OF OBTAINING A LEARNER'S PERMIT, SCHEDULE YOUR 7TH AND 8TH ON-ROAD LESSONS
• 6TH MONTH OF OBTAINING A LEARNER'S PERMIT, SCHEDULE YOUR 9TH ON ROAD LESSON.
• CANCELING A SCHEDULED LESSON MAY RESULT IN A PROLONGED COMPLETION OF DRIVING HOURS.
• WE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS THAT WAIT LESS THAN 4 MONTHS TO SCHEDULE ALL OF THEIR ON-ROAD LESSONS.

Our on-road scheduling and payment structure is designed to help students complete their Driver Education requirements gradually throughout the six-month learner's permit period.

$275 — Required to Begin On-Road Requirements

A $275 payment is required before students may begin scheduling the on-road portion of Driver Education.

OBSERVATION LESSONS MUST BE SCHEDULED FIRST

Students must schedule their 3 required Observation Lessons (6 hours total) before beginning Behind-the-Wheel Driving Lessons.

Observation lessons cannot be scheduled through the Student Portal. Students or parents must contact Nichols Driving School directly to schedule observation appointments.

$200 — Required to Begin Driving Lessons

An additional $200 payment is required before Behind-the-Wheel Driving Lessons can begin.

Once the observation lessons have been scheduled and the required payment has been made, students may begin scheduling their required 12 hours of Behind-the-Wheel Driving Instruction.

Schedule Driving Lessons Throughout the Six-Month Permit Period

Students should plan to spread their driving lessons throughout the six months they are required to hold their learner's permit rather than waiting until the end of the permit period.

Spacing lessons throughout the six months allows students to:

• Practice with a parent or guardian between professional lessons
• Gradually develop driving skills and confidence
• Apply skills learned during previous lessons
• Gain experience in different driving situations
• Complete Driver Education requirements before road test eligibility
• Keep driving skills fresh as the road test approaches

Please do not wait until the final months of your permit period to begin scheduling lessons.

Driving appointments fill quickly, and Nichols Driving School cannot guarantee that all remaining lessons can be accommodated before a student's road test eligibility date if the student waits too long to schedule.

Final Balance — Required to Complete the Program

The student's account must be paid in full before all remaining Driver Education requirements can be completed and the Driver Education certificate can be processed.

Registration Confirmation

After registering for a classroom session, please make sure you receive a registration confirmation email.

If you do not receive a confirmation email, your registration may not have been successfully completed.

Please save the username and password created during registration. Students will need this information to access their Student Portal and manage their Driver Education account.

RMV FEES — NOT INCLUDED IN DRIVING SCHOOL TUITION

The following fees are separate from Nichols Driving School tuition and package pricing:

• $15 — Driver Education Certificate Processing Fee
• $20 — RMV Alternative Road Test Fee
• $30 — Learner's Permit Exam Fee
• $35 — RMV Road Test Appointment Fee
• $50 — Driver's License Fee

RMV fees are established by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles and are subject to change.

NICHOLS DRIVING SCHOOL ROAD TEST SPONSORSHIP FEES

Road Test Sponsorship is a separate service and is not included in Driver Education tuition unless specifically stated otherwise.

$50 — Alternative Road Test Sponsorship

Weekend Road Test at Nichols Driving School

Includes scheduling and coordination with the RMV, use of a properly equipped Nichols Driving School Driver Education vehicle, and a qualified staff member to serve as the student's road test sponsor.

Alternative Road Tests are subject to RMV approval, scheduling, and availability.

$100 — Standard Road Test Sponsorship

Weekday Road Test at the Greenfield RMV

Includes use of a properly equipped Nichols Driving School Driver Education vehicle and a qualified staff member to serve as the student's road test sponsor.

Instructor and vehicle availability must be confirmed with Nichols Driving School before scheduling a Standard Road Test.

OUR COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENT PRICING

NO HIDDEN FEES. NO SURPRISE COSTS.

We believe families should understand the financial commitment of Driver Education before enrolling.

Our pricing information identifies the applicable Driver Education tuition, payment requirements, Road Test Sponsorship fees, and known RMV fees so families can plan accordingly.

If our pricing changes in the future, the current rates will be clearly communicated. We do not intentionally add undisclosed fees or surprise charges to your account.

RMV fees are established by the Registry and may change independently of Nichols Driving School.