Learn how to drive Blue Apple Driving Academy

As parents we must provide our Teens with quality driving education for thier only life driving skills. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-Registration

At what age may I enroll my teen in Blue Apple Driving Academy?

Teens wishing to learn how to drive can enroll in ANY classroom session at 16 years old. But to be legally eligible for supervised Behind the Wheel (BTW) lessons, students must be 16 years of age and have a novice permit by CESCO (Puerto Rico DMV).

How do I enroll my teen in one of the classes at Blue Apple Driving Academy?

You must create a user login name and password. This keeps track of your teens class choice, your payments, any missed classes, and the BTW appointments in the future.

Be sure to WRITE DOWN your user name and password for future use in booking your BTW appointments and checking your teens course history.

Do you have bilingual instructors?

Yes, we have instructors who speak both Spanish and English.

Do you have female instructors?

Yes, we do have female instructors available.  If you have a preference for a male or female instructor, please let us know.

How much will it cost?

This is an investment and will vary according to your commitment in drivers' education and by services needed.  Please see the SERVICES section in this site for a detailed description of all programs.

Registration

When is payment due for the class?

A deposit of $100.00 is due when registering your teen to save the space in the class. The balance is due on the first day of class. The deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE, although it is transferable to another class time.

What does the different regions mean if my child goes to another High School in another region?

The regions are our way of keeping our drivers in one general area, making the BTW lessons better for your teens.  Each region is a GENERAL idea of where you study, live or work, so choose the region/instructor that seems to be closest to your home, school or work address.

What forms of payment are accepted, and when am I billed?

We currently accept Visa, MasterCard or PayPal. Your credit card will be charged only for the deposit when your registration is completed. The remaining balance could be paid in cash or with a credit card at our main office or at parent orientataion sessions.  

Will I be charged sales tax?

No, these are educational sales tax exempt services.

How do I know my personal information and credit card number will be safe?

For the highest level of safety we do not share or sell any personal information of our customers nor store your credit card information after the transaction is complete, unless required by law, PERIOD. We take every precaution to ensure that your personal data, including credit card information, is as secure as it can be. Our site utilizes Secure Socket Layer technology on all pages where personal information is requested. This encryption technology prevents anyone from using your personal data if intercepted.

What happens if I need to cancel my student's registration?

All deposit payments are nonrefundable; however they can be applied to another course if desired. If a situation arises in which you need to cancel your student's registration, please call our office and speak to a staff member for more information.

Resources

Is there a sibling discount?

Yes!  And welcome back if your elder child has already taken the course with us and you are returning with your 16 year old. A welcome back gift of $25 discount on your registration will be yours so please call for more information.

General Information

Who are the Department of Motor Vehicle agencies or DMV in Puerto Rico?

Departamento de Trasportacion Obras Publicas (DTOP) is the Local equivalent to the National Highway Traffic Administration. Under the DTOP umbrella is CESCO or local DMV regional offices providing driver services and licensing. CESCO is where you need to go for driver services.

What is the minimum age to get a learners permit?

First, your teen must be 16 years old to take the permit test at any CESCO office. BUT, we strongly recommend taking the permit test at the Metropolitan (Carolina) or Bayamon CESCO. These are the regions where Blue Apple Academy Operates and this will expedite the road test procedures in the future.

How and what documents does my teen needs to get a learners permit?

These are the general procedures so please check the DTOP/CESCO official link (provided below) in case that they may have changed:

  • 16 Minimum age with permission of parents or legal guardian.

  • Application DTOP-DIS-255 For Learners Permit License.

  • Passport or birth certificate.

  • Social Security Card

  • Any bill or bank statement that certifies your current home address.

  • $11.00 in "Sellos de Rentas Internas" or tax stamps

  • Medical Certification DTOP-DIS-260

    Fill out the application with all of the required documents then go to the CESCO office (bring cash to pay-sometimes CESCO debit/credit cards systems malfunction). Have your teen sit for the written permit test. If they pass this written test, then they will be issued a learners permit. YOUR CHILD CANNOT DRIVE ALONE UNTIL HE/SHE HAS A VALID DRIVING LICENSE!

    Procedures, application forms and required documents are available at http://www.dtop.gov.pr/servicios/det_content.asp?cn_id=71 . To translate this website from Spanish to English we use Google Chrome Browser which has a translation option or place cursor on text and right click to choose "translate to English". The application forms are still in Spanish. So give it a try or call our office if you need help in translation and filling these out.

     

When is the CESCO office open?

Choose the CESCO Metropolitan (Carolina) or Bayamon office. To be directed to the CESCO Map locations follow this link http://www.dtop.gov.pr/servicios/det_content.asp?cn_id=184

When can my teen start driving?

As soon as the teen has the learners permit!  According to the law, your teen can have supervised drives with any "authorized driver" this is anyone with a valid Drivers License. The BTW's with Blue Apple Driving Academy can be scheduled as soon as we have a copy of the teens learners permit on file at the office. You DO NOT need to finish the classroom portion in order to start driving with us.

How do I get proof that my child has completed a drivers education course?

When your child completes all of the requirements for drivers education:

  • 4 Hour Classroom Session: completed and passed

  • BTW's; finished, completed and passed all program hours and paid all fees due to Blue Apple Driving Academy.

Blue Apple Driving Academy will send you and your teen will receive a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION for you to celebrate your teens first accomplishment! You may use this certificate with your insurance company to get discounted rates for safe driving education.

BTW Info

What is a BTW?

BTW = behind the wheel or in-car training. This portion of the program can be completed during or after the classroom sessions, depending on instructor and teen availability.

How do I sign up for a BTW appointment?

You must login to this web site with your user name and password, then you will be able to sign yourself up for any available spots with available instructors in your general location or municipality of choice.

How many BTW's can I schedule each week?

You can book two drives each week. The web site will not allow you to book them with less than three days in between each lesson. Our intention for this limit setting is that it allows you to practice what we teach you in each BTW with your parents. We need to work as a team to learn good driving habits and polish your skills, not just rush through your BTW lessons to get them done. But we are flexible and if you need to expedite your BTW appointments give us call. 

How do I cancel a BTW appointment?

Cancellations will require you to log in to your account and cancel an appointment from there.  Blue Apple Driving Academy requires a 72 hour notice for all BTW cancellations, per our contract, to avoid a $50 late cancellation fee.  You will be prompted to pay the $50 fee if you are attempting to cancel a BTW appointment with less than a 72 hour notice. Also, the cancellation fee will apply if the instructor cancel the lesson because the students fails to have with them their Valid Learner's License. 

Why is there a $50 cancellation fee?

You hire a one to one personal driving instructor for each BTW which is carefully scheduled with students so that they can drive and have their full attention. We pay our instructors for all scheduled drive times, so if you or your teen cancels, we still have to pay them. Most importantly, we want to instill in your child values of responsibility and consideration for driving so that they will become the best driver that they can be!

Class Info

What if my teen is absent for a classroom session?

Blue Apple Driving Academy requires that all teens must complete 4 hours of classroom time. So the student MUST make up those periods in 2 future dates class session. If they are still missing out, we will have to cancel the teen from the current class program and will not be eligible for road test and consequently the driving school certificate of completion. You will have to re-enroll your teen and pay the $75.00 class fee again.

How do I make up a class period that I missed?

When you miss a class, we mark your COURSE HISTORY with the day you missed.  We encourage you to come to the SAME DAY that you missed so that you can participate in the classroom discussions.  If it is not possible to attend that date, you may come to any class that is convenient for you.  See the Classroom Sessions Calendar for all class schedule. We do not require any advance notice for you to make up a class, just walk in and MAKE SURE the instructor checks you in as a make-up class.  

License Info

When can my teen take the road test for a drivers license?

You can go to the CESCO office with the required documents 6 months after they get their learners permit or immediately with their learners permit if they are 18 years or older. Your Road Test appointment is required to be at the same CESCO office where your Learners Permit was issued. It's your decision and responsibility as a parent to decide on a "go or no go" if you feel you teen is ready or not ready. We are ready when you are and will advise you to consider the "preferably" suggestions.

  • your teen is 16.6 years; preferably 17 years or older; more mature.

  • your teen has a novice permit for 6 months; preferably 9 months for more BTW practice with at least 50-hour driving log documenting 40 hours of driving in daylight and 10 driving hours at night. 

  • your teen is 18 years or more; preferably after a driving and road test prep course.

I can’t take a day off for my teen to take the road test and licensing procedures at CESCO, can you help me?

How much income represents a lost day or two at work? This is what it takes you doing this by your own. For a small fee, we provide parents with the convenience of the Road Test Assistant service to schedule your teen road test, provide the car, review for the road test, drive your teen to CESCO for them to issue their new drivers license and drop them off at school or home for you. Please review the Road Test Assistance service in this site.

What vehicle do I use for the road test?

The road test is usually taken in your personal vehicle. If your teen is more comfortable in one of our cars, we can take them for the test for a small fee. Please review the Road Test Assistance service in this site. If doing it on your own, you must have a valid drivers license and your vehicle must have:

  • up to date registration and registration tag "marbete".

  • a working horn and all turn signals and brake lights in working condition

  • safety belts for all occupants

  • a license plate on the back

What documents do I need to bring for the Road Test?

Go to CESCO Metropolitan (Carolina) or Bayamon with form DTOP-DIS-260, teens valid learners permit and $11.00 in "Sellos de Rentas Internas" or tax stamps to request a turn or slot for the road test.

Other

What is your refund policy?

Blue Apple Driving School will not refund any portion of the tuition unless approved by Blue Apple management.  Please contact the main office with questions.