Anyone in New York State regardless of age must take this course before scheduling the road test. You must hold a valid driver’s permit and be at least 16 years of age or older.
Bell’s Driving School offers a virtual 5 hour pre-licensing course that is valid for all NYS counties.
Before registering, please make sure you can meet all the requirements for completing the Zoom 5 hour Pre-Licensing Class.
- If you do not have a Zoom account in YOUR NAME, please create one. The account name MUST match the name on your permit.
- 15 minutes prior to class time, please join the class. No one will be admitted after the start of class.
- Customers not registered for this class will not be allowed to attend
- 24 hour notice is required for any cancellations. Failure to give 24 hours notice will result in loss of payment.
- When you join the meeting you will be placed in a waiting room.
- Your video camera MUST be on at all times.
- All attendees will be muted when admitted
- You maybe asked to show your permit. Please be prepared to do so. You MUST have a picture permit to attend this class.
- The class will start once all attendees have been admitted to the class.
More information on joining a Zoom meeting – Joining a Zoom Meeting
- Video must be on at all times and the instructor MUST be able to see you.
- If you need to leave for any reason, please raise your hand and inform the instructor. Please make sure that you return promptly.
- Your attendance and full attention for the entire class is required. Cell phone usage during class is prohibited. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be asked to leave the class. No refund will be issued.
- We will have one 15 minute break after approximately 2.5 hours of class. The instructor will announce the time.
- Certificates will be mailed the following business day. Please be aware that delivery times are out of our control.
- If you have met the necessary requirements, at the conclusion of the class, the instructor will message you your certificate number using Zoom. You may use that number to schedule your road test, however keep in mind that you will be required to present the original certificate at the time of the test. When scheduling, be sure to allow time for receipt of the certificate.
Your certificate is mailed to the address provided the next business day from Clifton Park, New York. NOTE: you must have the original certificate with you when you go to take your road test.
The MV-278 is good for one year from date of issuance. The certificate CANNOT be renewed. If it expires you must take the course again.
At the completion of the course, you will be sent by private message with the certificate number. You can use this certificate number to schedule your road test. NOTE: At the time of the test, you must have the original certificate with you- not a copy or picture.
Some things to keep in mind –
- NYS DMV schedules road tests approximately 4-6 weeks in advance
- You may find a cancellation that is earlier (Make sure to allow time for your certificate to arrive)
- If you are under 18, you can schedule your road test 6 months from the date of issuance on your permit
- You must bring your own car (licensed, inspected and insured) and accompanying driver (over age of 21)
Our private driving lessons cost $80 per hour.
*Travel Time maybe charged for home pickup outside our pickup locations. Please contact our office for more information regarding our pickup locations. Or you can text us at 518-406-6437.
You need to have a valid NYS learners permit.
Driving lessons are given 7 days a week.
If your student is flexible in their schedule and can go during the day, normally we can schedule a student within 3-4 weeks. If the student needs after school or weekends, please allow at least 6-8 weeks. Call us for the most accurate schedule, many times we have cancellations.
Bell’s Driving School accepts all major credit cards. Payment is required upon scheduling of lessons.
A new student usually takes anywhere from 3-6 lessons. However you can take as many or as few as you would like.
We pick up at home in many locations. For specific details, please contact our office.
*Travel Time may be charged for home pickup outside our pickup locations. Please call our office for more information.
The cost for our road test service which includes a lesson prior to the test and the use of our vehicle is $160.
Yes, the service that we offer includes:
- We schedule the test through NYS DMV
- On the day of the test we give you an one hour lesson on our vehicle
- You will use our car for the road test
Road tests generally schedule about 10-12 weeks in advance.
You will need to have your five hour certificate (MV-278) or Certificate of Completion from Driver Education (MV-285) in hand.
If you are under the age of 18:
- Your Five Hour Course Certificate (MV-278 original only) or MV-285 (Certificate of Completion from Driver Education- original only). Be sure to detach the bottom quarter of the MV-285 and retain for your insurance company.
- Your picture Permit (not temporary one)
- Your MV-262 -50 hours of certified driving
If you are over the age of 18:
- Your Five Hour Course Certificate (MV-278 original only)
- Your picture permit (not temporary one)
We also offer Road Test Scheduling Assistance for drivers who want to use their own car for the road test or for people who are out of the area.
That depends upon where you live. We suggest taking the road test at the closest location to you. The main sites that we take our students to are:
- Troy, NY
- Ballston Spa, NY
Although we do not guarantee that our students will pass the NYS road test, we do our best to prepare you for first time success. In fact, over 90% of our students pass the test the first time.
Yes. In fact you are eligible to take the test several times if needed. Re-tests cannot be taken the same day.
When you received your Class D, DJ, E, M or MJ permit, the fee that you paid included 2 road tests. If you were unsuccessful in passing the road test in 2 attempts, you will need to pay an additional $10 to Department of Motor Vehicles for 2 more attempts before you can schedule a road test.
Also due to the fact that our Road Test fee is based on a flat fee you will be required to pay Bell’s Driving School the fee each time you take the test.
We are not in the business to simply teach students to pass the road test; we're here to teach the students to drive safely and correctly.
Driving Packages
All Bell’s Instructors are certified by the NYS DMV.
Gift CERTIFICATES
Give the Gift of Driving
Gift Certificates are available for private driving lessons, road tests, and virtual 5 hour pre-licensing courses!
