Cruise Control Driving School

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is your course?

A. Our normal price for the complete course is $329.  Be sure to check "current specials" for any promotional prices we may have.  We accept checks, cash, and credit cards.

Do you offer just hourly driving instruction?

A. Yes, we often have adults who have moved to our area and do not have a license. We provide instruction for $52 an hour. We require a minimum of 1½ hours per lesson, however, we do not recommend more than 2 hours per session.

Is there a benefit to taking the full-course rather than individual hourly instruction?

A. For licensed drivers 15-24 yrs of age, completing a state-certified driving school can reduce your insurance premiums up to 10 percent by presenting a copy of the course completion certificate to your insurance company. Therefore, the full course would in most cases eventually pay for itself in reduced premiums for younger drivers.

Do you offer free pick-up and drop-off for students?

A. Yes, for the driving sessions (not the classroom session), as long as it is in the local area. If you are outside of our local area, we do assess an "out-of-area" fee of $35.  These include Mt. Pleasant, West Ashley, etc.  You can avoid this fee, however, if you wish to bring the student to us.  Call us for more specifics.  We will also pickup/drop-off at other locations if it is convenient, such as swim practice, dance, cheerleading, etc. This does require parental consent and advance notice.

How old must I be to attend your course?

A. You can attend our classroom session as a 14-year-old. However, you cannot start driving lessons until you are 15 and have your permit. We recommend that 14-year-olds be within 6 months of their 15th birthday so the classroom information will be somewhat recent when you take the written test for your permit.

Do I have to have my permit to attend your course?

A. No, not for the classroom.  Although you are not required to have a permit with you when driving with our instructors in our cars, we require that you have obtained one since you will be practicing your driving with others.

I am not a U. S. citizen. Can I take your course to get a license in this country?

A. Yes. You can apply for a permit by taking your passport and your social security number to DMV. If you do not have a SSN, you can obtain a "letter of denial" from the Social Security Administration and present it to DMV for your permit. Once you have done this, you can obtain your license. Whether your license is valid upon your return to your country of citizenship is up to each different nation's rules.

How often do you have classes?

A. We hold classes 2-3 Saturdays a month and on some teacher workdays. Once school is out, we may schedule them more frequently as necessary. Call us at 875-0930 or 442-1503 for our class schedule.

What must I do to get scheduled for a class?

A. Simply call us and schedule a date.  You will be advised to download the required forms from this website to complete and bring with you the morning of class. 

Can I just show up for a class that I know is scheduled?

A. We prefer you not, simply because, should our class be full, we will not be able to accomodate you.  It is best you let us know.  

What if I need to cancel my class date?

A. That is fine as it will give us the opportunity to fill the vacancy. However, if you simply no-show, you will need to pay a $100 deposit before we will reschedule you for a subsequent class date.

What are the hours of the classroom portion?

A. Class begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 4:30 PM. You will need to show about 15-20 minutes early to fill out a contract and other paperwork unless you downloaded it in advance. We will take about 30 minutes for lunch, HOWEVER, you can NOT leave the premises during this time. We are responsible for your well-being while you are with us. Therefore, you will either need to bring a bag lunch or have someone bring you lunch at 12:15-12:30.

Do I need to bring anything for class?

A. If you have a SC Drivers' Manual, bring it. Otherwise, we can provide you one. If you have a permit, bring it too unless you have previously given us your number on the contract.

Are there any classroom rules I need to know about?

A. We want you to have an enjoyable time. Other than expecting your full attention and discipline, you must turn off any beepers and cell phones. Also, you are not allowed to smoke during class or breaks even if your parents allow you to.

Once we complete the classroom, when do we start driving?

A. Based on what you tell us on the information sheet you fill out, we will call you to discuss how you would like the lessons scheduled and do our best to meet your needs.

How are the driving sessions scheduled?

A. The six hours of driving instruction are all behind-the-wheel (BTW) in which the student does the driving. There are no "observation rides" in the backseat. We usually conduct these over three 2-hour sessions. However, if the student is a fairly inexperienced driver, we can conduct the BTW in four 1 1/2 hour sessions. We reserve the right to make that decision. Your driving instructor will discuss this with you.

What if I forget about a lesson or have to cancel?

A. If you need to cancel, please give us at least a day's notice. A cancellation so late that the driver has already shown for the appointment will be treated the same as a no-show for which a $25 fee will be paid before any further sessions are scheduled. This is a part of the contract you sign at registration.

How long will it take to finish the BTW lessons?

A. That depends on your wishes, your availability, and our schedule. If the student is ready for his road test, we MAY be able to finish him/her in a short time span. If a student has limited driving experience, we would prefer to spread out his/her lessons so they can practice with a parent what they have learned. We usually recommend one or two lessons early on and the remaining lesson when you feel they are ready for their license. Again, your instructor will work with you on this.

Can a parent or friend ride in the back seat during the lesson?

A. No. We need the student's full attention and do not want the distraction of someone in the backseat talking to the student. Also, we do not allow the radio to be on during the lesson nor do we allow students to use a cell phone.

Are students insured while riding in your cars?

A. Yes.

Once I have completed the course, am I guaranteed to pass my road test with the highway department?

A. South Carolina law does not allow driving schools to make that guarantee. Nonetheless, our students have an excellent track record with local DMVs.  We will do the best job possible with your student, but driving is like everything else --some people pick it up quicker than others. When the student has completed her/his training, we will advise you on whether or not we think the student is ready for their test, and, if not, what they need to work on. Too often, teens are in a hurry to attempt their road test "just to see what it's like" as we often hear. For their own safety, they, and you, need to feel confident of their ability to drive. Their life may literally depend on it.

Can we use your car to take our road test in?

A. We do allow this, but only if your instructor states that you are ready for your test upon completion of your driving sessions. If you have not driven with us, we will not let you rent a car unless you first schedule a driving session with us to assess your driving skills.  The fee to rent a car is $52 for the first hour and $24 for each additional full hour.  After the first hour, we prorate the time to the next quarter hour.  Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee what the total cost will be. The DMV does not take reservations nor give you any priority. However, there is a smart way of doing this to minimize your time and cost. If interested, call and we will be glad to discuss it with you.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to call us. We are dedicated to providing quality instruction in a relaxed atmosphere. All of our instructors work well with teens and adults alike.

We hope to see you soon at Cruise Control…..WHERE LEARNING TO DRIVE IS A PLEASURE!!!!!!!