How do I get started?
At what age may I enroll in the course?
When can I get my learner's permit?
When do I get my provisional license?
What comes in the Cordura packet?
How long does this program take?
What is the responsibility of the parent?
May I take the course on-line?
When do I need to add our son/daughter to our auto insurance policy?
We don't homeschool, may we still take the course?
What is the cost of the course?
Is Cordura a certified driver's ed course?
Am I purchasing a driver's ed book?
What happens if a student doesn't pass?

How do I get started?

The first step is to download an enrollment application from the Traffic Safety Center at http://ipl.unm.edu/traf/lists/toc.htm. Review instructions under "Correspondence Driver Education Schools- classes by mail." Follow the instructions on the application form. You can also download the enrollment application form by clicking here. From the time that Traffic Safety Center receives your application, they usually have a 48 hour turn around period. We will both be notified via email upon the student’s approval.

At what age may I enroll in the course?

The student may be 14 years, 10 months, but you must be 15 years old to get the learner’s permit.

When can I get my learner’s permit?

You can obtain your learner’s permit immediately upon receiving the packet from us, while you are taking the course or when you have completed it. Included in the packet you will find a referral card to take to the MVD to obtain your permit. You must be 15 years old to get it. If you don’t take the course first, it’s helpful to pick up a Driver’s Manual from the MVD. Whenever you get it, you will be required to hold it for six months. The learner’s permit can be renewed one time. You will need to take your original birth certificate, social security card and proof of residency. Please refer to the GDL brochure to see what happens if you get a traffic citation during this period.

When do I get my provisional license?

Once you have successfully completed the course you will be mailed a certificate of completion. You will need to hold onto the certificate until the learner’s permit has expired. You will take the certificate of completion and the driving log to the MVD where you will be required to take a behind the wheel test. Please plan ahead - check with your local MVD office. Some only administer driving exams on certain days. Other MVD’s require that you make an appointment several weeks in advance. You will hold the provisional license for one year. After this you get a regular license.

What comes in the Cordura packet?

In the packet you will receive a textbook, answer sheets, detailed instructions, a course syllabus, a list of driving maneuvers that should be practiced and mastered, topics for the required essay on DWI prevention, pamphlet explaining the graduated driver’s license/driving log, learner’s permit form, a list of documents the MVD will accept as proof of residency, and organ donation information.

How long does this program take?

The course is designed to be completed in a two month period. An additional month is allowed to accommodate illness, vacation, family emergencies, etc. If you cannot complete the course in the allotted time, it will cost $10 extra for each additional month it takes you to complete the course. If you so desire you may complete the course sooner than the allotted time.

What is the responsibility of the parent?

The parents should familiarize themselves with all the instructions, topics for the essay, due dates, provide behind the wheel training and keeping the student on task. Since the parent knows the student best, it is the parent’s responsibility to determine when the student is ready to get the instructional permit.

May I take the course on-line?

Unfortunately not. The Traffic Safety Center only allows hard copy courses by mail.

When do I need to add our son/daughter to

our auto insurance policy?

The student should be added to your insurance policy when the provisional license is obtained. Insurance companies cover a student while holding the learner’s permit. Most insurance companies offer good student discounts for those who have high GPA’s.

We don't homeschool, may we still take

the course?

Yes you may. The Traffic Safety Center allows non-homeschooled students to take the course if you have certain extenuating circumstances. For example, you live in a rural area and do not have access to a driver education course at school or in your area; the student is taking A.P. courses and the schedule does not allow the student to enroll in a driver’s ed. class at school; the student is working and/or has extra curricular activities and cannot take a commercial driving course; or the student has a difficult family situation where the parent’s work schedule will not allow them to drive their student to a commercial driving school, etc. Refer to condition 2 of the Traffic Safety Center’s application form.

What is the cost of the course?

The cost of the course is $125. If you wish to receive the course sooner, add an additional $4.95 for priority mail. We normally mail the course by media mail, which usually takes anywhere from 4-8 days.

Is Cordura a certified driver's ed course?

Yes, Cordura Correspondence is a state certified and bonded driver's education program.

Am I purchasing a driver's ed book?

No. You are merely using the textbook for the duration of the course. Textbooks are returned for other students to use. This helps us to keep costs down.

What happens if a student doesn't pass?

Students will re-do those parts of the test that they fail. The final exam must be passed with a 70% or better.