The Winter Park Driving Academy remains committed to its position as the provider of preference within the PEP community. Cohort Instruction is a way the WPDA has conceived to reach more students throughout the Central Florida region. Please read the following FAQs to understand the Cohort Instructional System, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us:
What is a cohort?
A cohort is a group of students who have committed to one on one behind the wheel driving instruction on a common set of days beginning and ending at a common location.
What is the purpose of enrolling in a cohort?
Cohorts allow the WPDA to offer lessons in areas that would otherwise not be accessible to the students. Usually these location are outside of the WPDA to offer door to door contracts and the clients live too far to utilize our on site services.
What is the usual length of a cohort?
The usual length of a cohort is 4 sessions of one hour for each client.
What is the reasonable distance from the WPDA for a cohort?
The WPDA considers anything under 90 min as a reasonable driving distance for a cohort. However, if someone outside of that range is interested in scheduling a cohort, they should contact the WPDA to discuss the possibility.
When are cohorts usually offered?
The WPDA usually offers cohorts during the traditional school months of September to May.
How many clients are needed to form a cohort?
Usually a minimum of 3 clients is needed, but forming any cohort is at the discretion of the WPDA.
Will the WPDA provide a vehicle for instruction?
Yes. A fully licensed and insured vehicle with an instructor's brake will be provided for each lesson.
How much does a cohort cost?
The cost of a standard 4 lesson cohort is $510 After the WPDA has determined the dates of the cohort, clients may go to the dashboard to and reserve the appropriate amount of funds. All the funds must be reserved/ paid up front before instruction begins
Can clients cancel or reschedule their appointments?
No, when clients have agreed to the dates of the cohort, they cannot be canceled or rescheduled.
Are lessons refundable?
No, after the client has agreed to the cohort and instruction has begun, the funds are non-refundable.
Are parents allowed to ride in the car during instruction?
Yes! The goal of the cohort lessons is to give the student driver “behind the wheel time” in a safe environment and give them instruction that will allow them to practice driving with their families. The WPDA feels its beneficial for parents to hear the terminology and techniques being imparted to the student driver if they so wish.
What if the student is still not a proficient student driver upon completion of the cohort?
The purpose of the cohort is to provide professional introductory driving instruction to young student drivers in the safe environment of a dual controlled instructional vehicle. The goal is for the student drivers to be able to perform simple driving tasks with their parents/ guardians. However, the WPDA is not responsible if these expectations are not met within the parameters of the cohort. At that point, the student driver would need to seek supplemental instruction. Signing up for an additional cohort is a possibility.