Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about getting your driver’s license or starting driver education in Oklahoma? Our Frequently Asked Questions page provides clear, up-to-date answers on everything from course requirements and timelines to package options and testing procedures, so you can navigate the process with confidence.
What is the Work Zone Safe course, and who needs it?
- Oklahoma law now requires drivers under 18 to complete the free online Work Zone Safe course before testing. This course teaches safe driving around work zones and first responders.
- You’ll receive a completion certificate, which must be shown to your Cowboy Driving Academy or Alert Driving School examiner before taking your driving test. YOU MUST BRING YOUR PRINTED CERTIFICATE WITH YOU
What is a Farm Driving Permit, and who is eligible?
- Teens aged 14 to 17 who live or work on a farm can apply for a Farm Driving Permit.
- Read the information from Service Oklahoma provided here.
At what age can I get my learner’s permit in Oklahoma?
- If you’re enrolled in an approved Driver Education course and have completed the first day of class, you can get your permit at age 15.
- Without driver education, you must wait until you turn 16.
- Exception: If you qualify for a Farm Driving Permit, you may be eligible for limited driving at age 14 under farm-specific conditions.
- Either way, you must pass a vision test, and either complete driver education or pass the written knowledge exam.
- Completion of driver education waives the requirement of passing the written knowledge test for everyone except farm permit.
Can I take the Oklahoma written permit test online?
- Yes!
- Oklahoma allows you to take the permit written test online from home through Service Oklahoma’s KnowToDrive system at no extra cost. You’ll need:
- A computer with a webcam and microphone.
- A quiet room.
- A stable internet connection.
- (If under 18) A parent or guardian present during setup.
- You have 60 minutes and two attempts online before needing an in-person retake if necessary.
- Oklahoma allows you to take the permit written test online from home through Service Oklahoma’s KnowToDrive system at no extra cost. You’ll need:
When can I start Driver Education?
- You can start Driver Education the day you turn 15 years old — even before you get a permit!
- Completing Driver Education early can waive the written permit test at Service Oklahoma and help you move faster toward licensing.
- Exception: If you qualify for a Farm Driving Permit, you may take driver education the beginning the day you turn 13 ½. Completing driver education for the Farm Permit does not exempt you from passing the written test.
What is the general timeline to get my Driver License?
- Start Driver Ed at 15.
- Get a learner permit at 15 (Driver Ed) or 16 (no Driver Ed).
- Hold your permit for at least 6 months (no moving violations).
- Complete the Work Zone Safe course if you’re under 18.
- Take and pass the driving skills (road) test.
- Earn your Intermediate License at 16 (with driver education) or 16 ½ or later (without driver education).
- After 6 months of safe driving on an Intermediate License, you may qualify for a full, unrestricted Class D license provided you have completed driver education. (Otherwise, the restricted license must be held for 12 months.)
When do I complete my 6 hours of driving instruction?
- Once you complete classroom training, you’ll schedule driving sessions with an instructor.
- The number of drives and the scheduling priority depend on the package you purchase. Everyone receives a minimum of 6 hours of behind the wheel instruction.
- Drive appointments are flexible to fit your availability.
How long do I have to finish Driver Education?
- You have one year from the start of your first day of classroom instruction to complete your 10 hours of classroom and your six hours of driving.
- If you exceed one year, a $50 reinstatement fee is required to continue and receive your certificate of completion.
Do I get an insurance discount for Driver Education or Defensive Driving?
- Check with your insurance company. Yours may provide discounts if you complete Driver Education. All insurers in Oklahoma are required to offer discounts for completing a certified Defensive Driving course. Be sure to check with your insurance provider for details and savings amounts.
Can Cowboy Driving Academy and Alert Driving School give me the official State Drivers License Test?
- Yes! Alert Driving School and Cowboy Driving Academy are authorized by Service Oklahoma to administer the official road test.
- You can test with us directly — no need to schedule separately with Service Oklahoma.
What is a Defensive Driving course, and how can it help?
- A 4-hour Defensive Driving course helps improve your skills and awareness. Completing it can:
- Remove 2 points from your record once every 24 months.
- Qualify you for ticket dismissal or probation (with court approval).
- Lower your insurance premium (check with your agent for discounts).
- We offer state-certified Defensive Driving classes that qualify for point reduction for individuals and corporate drivers. Register here.
- We also offer an online Defensive Driving class. Oklahoma does not yet allow online classes to count for point reduction, but they are often used for court-ordered Driver Improvement. Be sure your referring court accepts our program and register here.
What happens if I need to cancel a driving lesson?
- Cancellations 24+ hours in advance: No charge.
- Cancellations within 24 hours: $50 cancellation fee.
- No-call/no-shows: $75 fee.
- Keeping your appointments helps everyone stay on schedule!
How will I know if lessons are canceled for bad weather?
- We send text and email alerts if lessons are canceled due to weather. We also post school closure updates on local media.
Do adults (18 or older) need Driver Education?
- While not required, many adults choose driver education
- Getting a Learner Permit for practice is optional (but recommended) and requires holding it for 30 days before a road test.
- Adults who do not take driver education must pass the written, vision, and driving tests for full licensure. Adults who take driver education with us can skip the written test.
- We offer adult driving lessons for confidence and skill-building!
Do I need a permit to start Driver Education?
- No.
- You must be at least 15 years old to enroll in Driver Education, but you don’t need a permit yet. (Exception: If you qualify for a Farm Driving Permit, you may take driver education the beginning the day you turn 13 ½.)
- You will need a permit before you can schedule behind-the-wheel lessons or take the State Road Test.
Do you offer Spanish Language instruction?
- Yes, we offer classroom driver education and behind-the-wheel training in Spanish. Oklahoma State Law requires all applicants to complete the State Road Test in English, and our driver education in Spanish language helps students prepare for the instructions they will hear in English during their Road Test.
What kind of testing do you offer?
- We offer classroom and behind the wheel training that is designed by our team of designated examiners to specifically prepare you for the State Road Test.
Is testing available at Cowboy and Alert?
- Yes!
Who can test at Cowboy and Alert?
How much does testing cost?
- See package pricing here.
What to Expect on the First Day of Class
- Welcome to Cowboy Driving Academy and Alert Driving School! We’re excited to help you (or your teen) begin the journey toward becoming a safe, confident driver. Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for the first day of your in-person Driver Education class.
What should I bring on day one?
- For Students:
- On Day 1, we provide a free pizza lunch. On Day 2, bring your lunch to class
- If you have not made your minimum payment prior to the first day of class, you will need to do so before class begins. (Basic driver ed must be paid in full before class begins.)
- Positive Attitude: Come ready to learn and participate!
- Parent/Guardian Involvement (First 30–45 Minutes)
- If the student is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must attend the first 30–45 minutes of Day 1 for a short orientation.
- During this session, we will:
- Introduce our instructors and teaching philosophy.
- Review program expectations and answer questions.
- Complete all required registration paperwork and agreements.
- Explain the process for permit testing and scheduling behind-the-wheel lessons
- After the orientation, parents are free to leave, and students will begin their classroom instruction.
- (If you’re an adult student, you will complete your own registration paperwork without a parent required.)
What We'll Cover in Class
- Our in-person Driver Education program includes 10 hours of classroom instruction split over two days. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Oklahoma traffic laws and road rules
- Defensive driving strategies and hazard awareness
- Vehicle operation basics (controls, pre-drive checks, basic maintenance)
- Safe decision-making behind the wheel
- Graduated Driver License (GDL) process: how to move from permit to full license
- Steps for earning your permit — and how we can help you waive the written test at the Tag Agent by completing our program
- Class sessions are active and engaging, with a mix of discussion, activities, videos, and practical guidance.
How Long is the Class?
- 10 total classroom hours, typically spread over two days.
- Example schedule: Saturday (longer session) and Sunday (shorter session).
- Plan to arrive 15 minutes early if you have made your required payments before the first day of class, or 30 to 45 minutes early if you are making payment on the first day of class.
- Breaks are built in throughout the day, and lunch is provided on the longer day (Day 1).
- Full attendance is required to complete the course and receive your Certificate of Completion.
- After Classroom Instruction
- Once you finish the classroom portion:
- You’ll be eligible to receive your driver education Certificate of Completion if you attended all 10 hours of classroom instruction. This certificate can waive the written permit test at Service Oklahoma or Tag Agent.
- You’ll then be ready to schedule your 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving lessons with us.
- Students have up to one year to complete their driving sessions after finishing class — but most complete sooner.
