At this time, we are NOT offering adult driver education.

Each student will receive classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. After each lesson, students will receive individualized feedback and will be asked to identify strengths and weaknesses. Students will be asked to keep a driving log outside of class. In addition to this instruction, they will receive the following:

• 240 minutes of substance abuse and distracted driving education
• Minimum of 20 minutes of railroad crossing safety.
• Instruction relating to organ donation under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.

Safe Driver Drivers Education L.L.C. is fully licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation and is bonded and insured.

Students can schedule a future session if a conflict arises.  A full refund can be given if a student cancels before the first day of class. If a student withdraws from the class after the first session, only a maximum of $200 will be refunded.  Please contact Mr. Rolwes at 319-573-6378 if you want to request a refund.

Safe Driver Drivers Education was created by Chris Rolwes in 2009. We think Safe Driver Ed sets itself apart from other driving schools in that we work hard to ensure that classroom instruction is consistent with behind-the-wheel instruction. Unlike some other driving schools in the area, we allow parents and students to sign up for the driving portion of the class when it fits their schedule. We serve students in the Cedar Rapids area, but students from surrounding school districts are welcome to enroll.  

Mr. Rolwes will teach the classroom portion of the course, while Mr. Randy Mathews, Mr. Andrew Tower, Mr. Brad Tower, Mr. Marv Trachta, and Mr. Max Matthais will teach the driving portion of the course.  

Mr. Rolwes will also drive with students when needed or requested.  We are locally owned, fully licensed, and insured. Safe Driver Driver's Education offers classes in the greater Cedar Rapids area. Students between 14 and 20 years old with a valid instructional permit can take this course.

Students must be at least 14 years of age and must have an instructional permit to take the course.

In compliance with the Iowa Department of Transportation, we're offering a hybrid format during 2023, blending in-person and online instruction. There will be 2-3 in-person sessions, during which Mr. Rolwes will lead the class through some of the key concepts that are essential to becoming a safe driver. 

A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa will also present on sharing the road with other roadway users. The Cedar Rapids Police Department will also present the students with essential information about impaired driving and law enforcement.

If the schedule permits, students will have the opportunity to listen to Jay Cassill of Cassill Motors discuss how to purchase and maintain a car. 

Any absence from class must be made up during the next session in the evening/day that the specific material is covered. Absences will be limited to no more than two times per course.

Please let Mr. Rolwes know if your student is going to be absent.  

Unexcused absences will result in being dropped from the class without a refund.  Students will not receive their certificates until they have passed the classroom and driving portions of the course. If students miss a scheduled driving lesson, they should contact Mr. Rolwes far before this absence. All of this will be discussed on the first night of class.

Students can use their devices during breaks and sometimes during class. If excessive or inappropriate device use becomes a distraction, Mr. Rolwes will warn the student. If your student needs to be reached during class, please contact Mr. Rolwes at 573-6378.

Students cannot use their phones when observing, as Iowa state law requires six hours of observation and six hours of driving. At any time, Mr. Rolwes or the other instructors reserve the right to ask students to turn off their phones or other devices during the lesson. Students will be asked to complete activities while observing the other students driving.

Once the class is closed and we know how many students are in it, we will open the scheduling portion of the site approximately two weeks before the start of the class. Students/parents can then sign up for lessons in two-hour increments. There must be two students in the car at all times, with each student driving for one hour and observing for one hour. 

Students will drive for one hour for each lesson and must have a minimum of six hours of instruction. There must be at least two students in the car for each lesson. Students will switch every half-hour. Lessons will include:

• Basic car control, including backing into streets and driveways.
• Residential driving
• Downtown and city driving work on lane changes, turning, and pedestrian observance.
• One-way streets, parallel parking, and head-in parking.
• Two-lane highway and country road driving.
• Interstate and highway driving
• We will drive to Iowa City, where we will drive around downtown I.C.
• Trip planning.  During our last drive, students are responsible for planning a route.
• Instruction in basic vehicle maintenance.
• Students must log an additional 5 hours of instruction outside of the driving time they will complete with the instructor.

Students are expected to be on time for their driving lessons.  Students who miss a driving lesson without notifying Mr. Rolwes, will be charged $35.

If your lesson is right after school, please come to room 120 to see Mr. Rolwes, and he will direct you to where to find your instructor. On days we DON'T have school, please meet us in the back parking lot next to the Jefferson tennis courts. DON'T FORGET YOUR PERMIT!

The Iowa Department of Transportation recommends that at least two students be in the car at all times. Both students will need to be dropped off at this location. It is always best if our drives can stop or end at an agreed-upon location. In the summer, that will most likely be where the class is held.

Some students will have to drive with the D.O.T. if they fail to meet the instructor's expectations.  If this is the case, students will receive a certificate stating: "Must drive with D.O.T." Mr. Rolwes will communicate with the student's parents if possible. If students are doing additional driving outside of their driving for the course, they will most likely pass the course. If students fail to complete the classroom portion of the course, they may be required to do a test drive with the Iowa D.O.T.