5/16/20 Good News! This coming Tuesday, 5/19/20, Top Gear Driving School will open again for Department of Licensing testing and driving for the classes. Please give me a call to set up your appointment at 360-975-2799. Realize that if I am with a student in the vehicle, I cannot answer the phone. I will get back to you as soon as it is possible.However, there are some requirements that will need to be met. Here are the requirements:The classroom portion will continue to be taught using Zoom.us until Phase 4 unless permission is given earlier.-Instructor/Examiner will wear a mask at all times. -Instructor will wear gloves during all driving lessons and driving tests. -Students/Individuals testing will wear a mask at all times. No exceptions!! They will not be provided. -Instructor/Examiner will disinfect tables and chairs before and after testing. -Traffic Safety Vehicle and patron's vehicles will be disinfected before and after driving lesson or test. Please clean your vehicle before coming to the test. If vehicle is excessively dirty, the test will not be given in that vehicle. Excess clutter will not be allowed in vehicle. TSE Vehicle will be available for $30 extra. -Patrons will need to sign in with name, date, phone number and email address. Please realize that these requirements are required by Governor Inslee. We will be in compliance in order to open and remain open. We hope that these will only be temporary requirements. 5/14/20 I have sent out the worksheet needed for the class tonight. If you have not received it, please contact Dan.***In case someone doesn't know, The Department of Licensing Offices are closed until the "Stay At Home Order" is rescinded by the governor. This also means that driving schools are not allowed to give Department of Licensing tests. I will be glad to administer testing whenever this Social Distancing program is done. It is against the law for me to administer these tests at this time. Thanks for your patience.Good News!!4/2/20As of this morning, a letter from The Department of Licensing, as per Governor Inslee, indicates that all driving schools in the State of Washington must conduct classes from their homes. That's not necessarily the good news. However, the good news is that we can continue to teach "Virtual" classes, not "Online" classes. Online classes are not approved by The State of Washington. Students can sign up in the usual way which requires a Washington Id Number to be entered into the database by the driving school indicating which class the student will be attending. Completion information will be entered into the database the same as before Covid 19. The student does not need to have a permit, and cannot get a permit at this time, in order to take the course. Students will complete the classroom portion. Then when the driving portion is made available after Covid 19 is finished, students will complete their driving portion and Department of Licensing testing. I hope this answers some frustrating questions. Department of Licensing testing is still not allowed. The Department of Licensing Offices are closed indefinitely as per the governor's orders. New:The Department of Licensing is closed again until further notice. This means that until another means of getting a permit, or getting your license is developed, there is no way to get it at this time. The exceptions are: if your license is not expired, and if you have completed driver's education (for ages 16-18) and passed the Department of Licensing knowledge and skills tests, you can get, or renew your license online by going to dol.wa.gov. Important: 3/22/20With great frustration I need to inform all students, parents and those desiring to take the Department of Licensing tests that we are temporarily closing because of the outbreak of the Corona-virus. Governor Inslee has mandated that all non-essential businesses need to close to slow the spread of the virus. For those registered for classes, we have been given permission to hold classes via "Zoom", an internet program. I am working now to prepare to teach on line. There will be no classes held this week. Hopefully, I will be prepared to resume the following week via internet. I will keep in touch. There will absolutely be no drives and Department of Licensing testing until further notice. I have never taught in this manner so it's all new to me. I expect that there will be some bugs to work out. In addition, previous rules and requirements for completion are no longer in effect. Please keep practicing driving. Keep safe and well! Thank you for your patience and understanding. If I were able I would just continue teaching, but we have no choice but to close for now. Important: 3/18/20 In order to follow the guidelines given concerning the number of people meeting in groups, and since all but one student chose to meet at 4 PM instead of some at 6 PM I have come up with a new plan. I need to split the class into two groups. The first group will meet at 4 PM for the 1 hour discussion. The second group will meet at 5 PM and meet for the 1 hour discussion. Each group will be invited into the classroom and will sit apart from each other. They will also be given disinfecting wipes to wipe their table and chair. Disinfectant spray will also be used. Each student will be given the worksheet which they will complete at home. They will also receive instructions on how to access a video they should watch at home. I need to know approximately 5 to 7 students by 3 PM today who are willing to attend at 5 PM. I may just need to assign students so we have an equal amount. I have also had a few students decide to wait for another class after the Virus has completed its course. If you choose this option, I certainly understand. Please let me know and we will transfer your tuition to a later class. The driving portion can also be delayed if you choose. If you choose this option, please let me know so I can cancel your scheduled drives to allow others to take those times. I generally try to have my window down so you might want to dress warm. New resources that I just found yesterday are the videos and other resources available on dol.wa.gov. They are at the bottom of the screen in the center. Target Zero is also a great resource. There are also many Youtube videos that are worth watching. I hope everyone is safe and well. If you are not feeling well, please stay home. The attendance policy has been relaxed by the state because of the virus so please come to class healthy. I am working on a possible virtual class, but am not prepared to do this as yet. I will keep you posted as much as possible. Respectfully, Dan Black, Owner - Instructor  (360) 975-2799 danblack@topgeardriversed.comImportant: 3/16/20I have been receiving questions as to whether we should continue with your class. Some parents and students desire to continue, and others feel that we should not hold classes until school is allowed to start again. As most of you are aware, President Trump recommended tonight that we can meet in groups of 10. Your class has 15 students. I felt until tonight that 15 was a small enough group. However, under the circumstances it is too large to sit apart from each other. With that said, I have a couple of suggestions. First, I will be happy to split the class in two. One class could come at 4 PM and the other at 6 PM. If you feel that you or your student should not participate in this class you do have the option of waiting until a later class. If everyone decided not to attend, I am okay with that option as well. I want to follow the directives of our leaders. I also feel some obligation to provide the service I have contracted to you. If you choose to continue I need to know which class you will prefer. Obviously, I need to split the class and would like to give preferences if possible. Please let me know whether you choose the 4 PM or 6 PM class. If you choose to wait until a later class, please let me know. We will also continue to clean tables, chairs and other surfaces in order to do what we can to prevent and slow the spread of the Coronavirus. Please feel free to contact me to share your concerns and recommendations. This is new and frustrating for all of us. I hope you will respect that my desire is to provide the best driver's education available for students. Respectfully, Dan Black, Owner - Instructor Please note: The parent/student orientation will be held as scheduled this Saturday, 3/21/20 at 10 AM. If you desire to attend an orientation with less people it can also be arranged. We will be cleaning tables and chairs before each class. Students can sit away from groups as desired.With schools closed there is also availability for student driving and Department of Licensing testing during those hours. Please set an appointment. Take advantage of not having to take students out of school for testing. Important: In case anyone is wondering, Top Gear Driving School will continue to hold classes, give driving lessons and administer Department of Licensing testing. If you feel that you would prefer not to continue classes due to the virus you can transfer your tuition to a future class as per the contract. Please let me know if you choose to move your tuition to another class. I think we have enough space in the classroom if students would like to spread out. Be safe and healthy.Important: If you are in the Tuesday and Thursday class, I am reminding you that there will not be class tomorrow, 3/10/20. Dan has a meeting in The Dalles. Class will resume on Thursday.Note: Our next class will begin on 3/24/20 and will meet on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 PM. There will be a parent/student orientation on 3/21/20 at 10 AM. Please make sure that you get a Washington ID Number for your student. Get that to Dan before going to the Department of Licensing to get the permit. You can get your permit 10 days prior to the class start date.Note: Our next class will begin on 3/4/20 and will meet on Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 6 PM. The ending date is 4/29/20. There will be a parent/student orientation on 2/29/20 at 10 AM.Important!! 1/16/20 There will be class tonight. It will be lesson 13. Drives will also be as scheduled. See you then.Important!! Due to weather conditions there will be no class tonight, 1/15/20. This would have been lesson 4. I don't want to be responsible for someone getting hurt. Stay warm and safe. We will reschedule.Note! There will be class tonight at 6 PM.. 1/14/20.Important: If we have enough snow to cancel classes I will post it here. I will not make the decision early in the morning because as we all know, the weatherman is only right 50% of the time. As I always say, "If you don't like our weather, wait 30 minutes. It will change." I do not cancel because school has cancelled. If I can get to the driving school I have found that most of my students can too. I have cancelled and had people complain. If you have concerns about driving safely, it's probably best not to come. We will work things out.New: Our next class begins on January 28th with the parent/student orientation on January 25th at 10AM. This class will meet on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 PM. The class will end on March 19th providing that there are no snow days to make up.New: Our next class will begin on January 6th and will meet on Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 6 PM. There will be a Parent/Student Orientation on January 4th at 10 AM. This class ends on March 2nd. The cost is $390. We will not attend on school Holidays.New: Our next class begins on November 19th and will meet on Tuesday and Thursday for 6 to 8 PM. The Parent/Student Orientation will be held on November 16th at 10 AM. We will not meet during the Winter Break and on Holidays. This class will end on January 23rd. The cost is $390.New: Our next class begins on October 23rd and will meet on Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 6 PM. There will be a parent/student orientation on October 19th at 10 AM. We will not meet on school holidays. However, the class will end before Winter Break.Notice: Our next class will begin on September 10th. It will be a Tuesday and Thursday class and will meet from 6 to 8 PM. There will be a parent/student orientation on September 7th at 10 AM.Notice: Our next class will begin on August 21st and will meet on Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 6 PM. There will be a parent/student orientation on August 17th at 10 AM. The cost of the class is $390.00.Old news! Top Gear Driving School is approved and authorized by the Department of Licensing to give the knowledge and driving(skills) tests. As of December 31, 2012 the DOL in White Salmon and Goldendale will no longer give the knowledge test and the skills (driving) test. Testing will now be done at Top Gear Driving School. This will benefit patrons who previously had to go to Goldendale, White Salmon or Vancouver for testing. This service will be available not only for beginning drivers, but for anyone needing the testing. Testing will be available by appointment only. Testing locations will not be able to take pictures, or issue a driver's license. It will be necessary to visit a Department of Licensing location in White Salmon, Goldendale, or Vancouver. ** Very important!!! Before you come to test, you must visit the Department of Licensing Website to get your Washington Driver's License number. Learn From the Best With over 20 years of experience, we take pride in our skilled and safe drivers. Top Gear Driving School is dedicated to serving youth as well as older
drivers who need Drivers Training in the Gorge. We provide the best traffic safety training
available at an affordable price. Classes Are Starting Soon Washington State requires that Driver Training programs include 30 hours of classroom instruction, with a maximum of 2 hours per day. Drive Times Behind the wheel training is part of the course for beginning students. Washington State requires a minimum of 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training, with a maximum of 1 hour per day. A minimum of 1 hour of behind-the-wheel observation is also required. We also offer behind the wheel training to anyone who may wish to learn to drive, or improve their skills. Want to schedule a drive time? Sign up or check the schedule here. Find Us PO Box 71 Stevenson, WA 98648 |
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