A parent's guide to evaluating driving schools and making sure your teen gets the right training.
By DVDS Team
# Phoenix Teen Driving Lessons — What Parents Should Ask
Signing your teen up for driving lessons is a big decision. You want them to learn the skills that will keep them safe, but you also want to make sure you are getting good value. Here are the questions every parent should ask before choosing a driving school in Phoenix.
Are the Instructors Certified?
This should be your first question. Arizona requires driving school instructors to hold MVD and ADOT certification. Not every school follows this rule. Ask directly: Are your instructors certified, and can you show me proof?
At Deer Valley Driving School, every instructor is MVD-certified and ADOT-certified. We have been family-owned and operating since 2011.
Do I Need to Add My Teen to My Insurance First?
This is a question many parents do not think to ask, and it can be expensive. Some schools require your teen to be covered under your personal auto policy before they can get behind the wheel. Adding a teen driver to your policy can cost hundreds of dollars.
At DVDS, students are covered by our commercial insurance. Your teen does not need to be on your policy to start lessons. That saves you money and removes one barrier to getting started.
What Does the Training Actually Cover?
Some driving schools focus only on passing the test. That is not enough. You want a school that teaches defensive driving, hazard recognition, and real-world decision-making.
Our Intro to Driving package ($350, 5 hours) covers vehicle control, turns, lane changes, parking, and basic defensive skills. Our License-Ready Package ($680, 10 hours) adds more advanced techniques. The Ultimate Package ($1,299, 20 hours) includes freeway driving, night driving, and comprehensive defensive training.
Is Pickup and Drop-off Included?
Your teen probably has school, activities, and a schedule that changes week to week. Look for a school that offers flexible scheduling and free pickup and drop-off.
DVDS picks up and drops off from home, school, or work anywhere in our 22-location service area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, and Peoria. We offer morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend slots.
What Happens After the Lessons?
Ask if the school offers a Road Test Waiver. This lets your teen skip the MVD road test if they pass their final test with the school. It saves time and stress.
DVDS includes the Road Test Waiver with our License-Ready and Ultimate packages. We also bank your teen's road test results, so they can complete everything before the six-month permit waiting period ends.
Check the Reviews
Look for schools with consistent positive feedback from parents. DVDS has over 1,200 Google reviews with a 5.0-star rating.
Ready to Get Started?
Call (602) 663-3502 or visit deervalleydrivingschool.com. We will answer all your questions and help you choose the right package for your teen.
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