Q. When does the TDA offer road testing sponsorship?

A. The TDA can offers a road test every Saturday (except holidays) as we pay examiners from the RMV to come to our site and conduct road testing. 

Q. Can I book my own road test with the RMV?

A. Yes you can.  However, you will have to go during normal business hours of Monday through Friday with a sponsor that has a middle emergency brake for the examiner to grab in event of an emergency. 

Q. Why would I want to take my test with the TDA on Saturdays?

A. Since we pay the RMV to come in on Saturdays, we can get you appointments and retakes (hopefully that’s not necessary) usually at a much quicker pace than if you go on your own during the week.  You will arrive about 1 ½ hrs before your scheduled test time so we can have other teachers giving you a warm-up lesson.  This will familiarize you with the vehicle again and actually take a practice test and observe other students practicing their road test.  Also, on Saturdays, there is much less traffic in the area which helps bring down the level of anxiety each teen has on test day.

Q. Where does the TDA offer Saturday testing?

A. Currently, the RMV comes to one of our licensed locations to conduct testing.  At this time, we are conducting testing in Mansfield.  This area is rural and a geographically good area to conduct testing with minimal traffic impact.

Q. How long in advance to I have to book my Saturday road test?

A. You must have completed ALL your driver’s education requirements and be paid in full 15 (fifteen) days prior to your requested Saturday test.  YOU MUST ALSO BOOK YOUR ROAD TEST WITH THE TDA AT LEAST 15 DAYS PRIOR TO THE REQUESTED SATURDAY USING OUR WEBSITE.  If you are not paid in full for your driving lessons and your drivers education certificate fee by lesson #10, your paperwork will be held up and will cause a delay in you obtaining your license.   (Example:  If your are eligible for your license on August 27, 2009, the earliest you could go with us for the test would be August 29, 2009.  Remembering the 15 day rule now in effect by the RMV, you will want to have all your requirements completed by August 14, 2009.)

Q. Why did the RMV change the rules on having to be done earlier?

A. The RMV changed the process of how Saturday road testing is conducted.  They also charge us, the driving school, a $20 convenience fee for each student that takes a test with us on Saturday.  We pay the ‘convenience fee’, not you.  The RMV needs to time to process your driver’s education certificate and schedule road test examiners.  Without the certificate being processed by them, you cannot schedule a road test on your own or with the TDA.  That’s the reason for having to complete your requirements 15 days prior.  

Q. What is the fee for taking the Saturday road test with the TDA?

A. The TDA fee for Saturday road testing is $90.  This includes the sponsorship, the use of TDA vehicle, and warm-up lesson before testing.  Mansfield/Foxboro area students will meet at designated location in Mansfield.  (*Hopkinton/Ashland area student: also includes shuttle service from Hopkinton High School to test site and drop off back at high school.)   The fee for TDA driver's ed student re-takes in the event of a previous failure with TDA is $45.  Most other schools charge $90-125 and take you during the week for your test.  They don’t incur the $20 convenience fee per student nor do they offer the ‘refresher’ lesson.  They also can’t get you the test on the preferred Saturdays.

Q. How do I sign up for my Saturday road test?

A. There is a link ‘schedule my road test’ on our website.  Fill out the form in its’ entirety and correctly.  Click ‘submit’ and this will put you on our schedule for the requested Saturday.  YOU MUST ALSO BOOK YOUR ROAD TEST WITH THE TDA AT LEAST 15 DAYS PRIOR TO THE REQUESTED SATURDAY USING OUR WEBSITE. DO NOT WAIT, DO NOT WAIT...SIGN UP TODAY IF YOU KNOW THE SATURDAY YOU WANT TO GO.  (even if its 6 months from now, sign up today and reserve your spot..don't wait till the end) We take care of notifying the RMV and putting you on the list.

Q. I’ve scheduled by road test..Is there anything else I need to do?

A. Yes.  If you haven’t PREPAID the RMV for your license and road test appointment fee, you must do this immediately.  You must call  800-858-EXAM  800-858-EXAM or  617-351-4500  617-351-4500 and speak to an operator.  You will be on hold for a LONG TIME..You must tell the operator that you are taking the test with your school on Saturday and you are required to PRE-PAY for your license and appointment fee.  The RMV will charge your $50 for your driver’s license and $20 for the appointment fee.  You will have to pay this fee whether you go with us on Saturday or go during the week on your own. 

We HIGHLY RECOMMEND you pay the additional $50 for your drivers’ license and $20 road test appointment scheduling fee AT THE TIME YOU PAY FOR YOUR PERMIT.  Tell the clerk you want to pay these fees as well as for the permit.  The total will cost you $100 ($30 permit, $50 license, and $20 road test appt. fee).  This will get credited to your permit number and you will not have to wait hours on the phone later when you are going for your road test.  You are going to pay them the fee in 6 months, so you are just giving them the money now and saving hours of frustration at a later date.

Q. How do I know what time my test will be?

A. You will receive an email from the TDA (to the email you registered with for your test) a few days before the exam date.  This will have your scheduled test time and necessary arrival time or pick-up time (*Hopk/Ash area students). 

Q. What do I need to bring to the test?

A. You will need your permit (Non-laminated and legible) and a properly and legibly completed application form in PEN that is signed by you and your parent/guardian who authorizes you to obtain your license. (link for license application:  MASS RMV LICENSE APPLICATION )  You will also have to bring a check for $90 to the TDA on the day of the test if you haven’t paid online.  We encourage you to pay online as it will secure your spot. 

Q. How do I make payment for the test?

A. You can pay online for the road test fee.  If you do this, you are guaranteed a spot on the requested Saturday.  Normally, we will be able to accommodate all the requests for a specific date, but the RMV has changed the rules on how many teens can attend in one day per examiner.  It is first come, first served with preference going to those who pay online.  Again, we encourage online payment.

Q. Unfortunately, I failed my test.  When can I go again?

A. If you happen to fail the test, you can go home and immediately rebook the test for the Saturday that is TWO WEEKS AWAY.  Unfortunately, the RMV will not allow you to go for your test the following Saturday.  Go to the TDA website and schedule another road test. According to new RMV rules, if it’s done that day, we can add you to the roster for the Saturday TWO WEEKS AWAY.  This is only if we have space limitations.  We normally should, but there is no guarantee as the size of each test fluctuates weekly.  In the event of a failure, do not wait to rebook or you will have to wait longer.
***The RMV is going to charge you an additional $20 road test appointment fee.  You must get on the phone the following Monday ( 800-858-EXAM  800-858-EXAM or  617.351.4500  617.351.4500 ) and prepay the RMV that $20 AGAIN (and every time if you should fail) to ensure you are 'prepaid' for the Saturday test.  You DO NOT have to pay for your license fee again.  The TDA fee for drivers ed students on retakes is $45, payable on test day.

Q. What should I wear for my test?

A. First impressions make a difference.  Dress appropriately and show the examiner that you’re ready to have your license and responsible enough to be out on your own.  No hats, pajamas, and DO NOT wear sandals or flip-flops during driving lessons and especially on test day.  Let's show the examiner that you mean business and you're ready!