The Next Street New Enrollment Terms and Conditions

By enrolling in The Next Street’s driver training program and signing this document, I acknowledge that I am permitted to participate in the driver training program administered by The Next Street. I understand that the course will be conducted by a state licensed instructor from The Next Street. I release the school from liability for any accident or injury occurring while driving as part of this program.

Safety and Instructor Discretion

The Next Street is committed to ensuring the safety of all students and instructors, which serves as the foundation of our policies and practices. This includes adherence to proper footwear requirements, assessment of weather and road conditions, and maintaining appropriate student conduct to support a safe and effective learning environment.
Driving lesson progression is determined by skill-based advancement and individual performance. Instructors tailor lesson plans based on their professional evaluation and the student’s demonstrated learning. The instructor’s discretion ensures that each session is conducted in a safe and productive environment, aligning with our mission to prioritize safety and effective learning.

Age Restriction Guidelines

Students must be at least 15 and 9 months old to receive credit for any classroomsessions.
Students must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid permit to receive credit for driving or observation lessons.
Students may take up to 6 hours of driver’s education instruction per day, only 2 of which can be in car instruction.
Students may enroll in a classroom course at age 15, provided the class starts after they turn 15 and 9 months. No credit will be given for classes taken before the student turns 15 and 9 months.

Digital Classroom Policies

Instructors reserve the right to revoke attendance for reasons including, but not limited to; tardiness, disruption, lack of participation, technical issues, leaving early and inappropriate behavior.

Participation: Students must participate in the full 2-hour Zoom session. Instructors will take attendance multiple times. Active participation includes responding to questions, engaging in group activities, and completing in-class quizzes.
Parent/Guardian Requirement: Students under 18 must have a parent/guardian complete a 2-hour parent class. If one has been completed within the last five years, the parent class certificate must be provided. Parent Class must be completed prior to booking any driving or observation lessons.
Signature Requirement: All students must sign off on their attendance for each class. Parent/guardian signature is required for the Parent Class.
Exam Requirement: To demonstrate understanding, students must pass a 50-question final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Completion of Classes 1 through 15 is required before attempting the final exam. Students who take the exam without completing these classes will not receive credit.
Display Name: Your full legal name, as it appears on your Learner’s Permit, must be used on Zoom. You may add a preferred nickname after a dash (e.g., James Smith – Jim).
Stable Network: Students must use a stationary device with a stable network. If disconnected more than once, they will not receive credit for the class.
Camera Policy: Cameras must be on, facing the student, and remain steady throughout the class.
Learning Environment: Students must contribute to a respectful and supportive learning environment for the entire class. This includes being seated upright in a well-lit, quiet space, fully prepared to engage and take notes. Distractions, such as participating from a moving vehicle or having an inappropriate background, are not allowed. Research indicates that taking notes by hand significantly improves learning and memory retention. Adhering to these expectations ensures a productive environment for everyone.
Attendance & Punctuality: Students must attend the entire class to receive credit. Attendance checks are conducted at the beginning, mid-session, and end of the class. Students must be actively present at all times. Attendance is tracked and recorded by The Next Street in compliance with regulations set forth by the state regulations.
Focus: Avoid distractions, such as checking phones or multitasking. We encourage students to stay focused, as they will need the same level of focus while driving.

Driving Lesson Policies

Cancellations

Driving lessons must be canceled at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations made within 24 hours will incur a $100.00 fee. Cancellations can be made via the Student Portal or by calling us at 800-732-8090 during business hours.

Tardiness & Makeups

Students are required to arrive on time for all scheduled lessons and observations. Late arrivals or early dismissals requested by the student will incur a nonrefundable fee. Alternatively, students may choose to forfeit the missed time instead of paying the fee.

Lessons Without an Observer:

Up to 30 minutes late: $50 fee will be applied.
Over 30 minutes late: Lesson canceled; $190 fee will be applied.

Lessons With an Observer:

Up to 15 minutes late: $50 fee will be applied.
Over 15 minutes late: Lesson canceled; $190 fee will be applied.

Observer Policy

If the original driver student is tardy or a no-show, the observer student will take the role of the driver student for the lesson. Observer students must arrive prepared to drive. If unable to assume the role of the driver, a $190 rescheduling fee will apply. The late fees above apply to observer students.

No-Show or Non-Compliant

Failure to attend scheduled lessons, including arriving unprepared (e.g., without permit, required footwear, or corrective lenses), will result in a $190 fee or lesson forfeiture. Forfeiture may impact testing eligibility

Required Items

Drivers and observers must bring the following items to each lesson, or they will be subject to a $190.00 fee and the appointment will be canceled:

A physical permit or driver’s license – photocopies or electronic versions are prohibited.
Glasses or contacts if required by a B restriction on the permit.
Proper footwear as outlined in the Footwear Policy.

Footwear Policy for Novice Drivers

Safety is our top priority for both our students and other drivers. To ensure the safe and effective operation of a vehicle, novice drivers are required to wear appropriate footwear during driving lessons. Improper footwear can hinder a driver’s ability to operate pedals safely, increasing the risk of accidents. Fully enclosed, sneaker-like shoes are mandatory for all lessons. By adhering to these guidelines, students will be better equipped to focus on mastering driving techniques safely and confidently. Thank you for prioritizing safety during your learning journey at The Next Street.

Required Footwear Guidelines

Full Closure: Shoes must fully enclose the foot, providing proper support and stability
Well-Fitting: Footwear should fit snugly, without being too tight or too loose, to ensure complete control over pedal movements.
Closed Toe and Closed Heel: Open-toe or open-heel footwear (e.g., sandals, flipflops, or high heels) is strictly prohibited, as it can interfere with safe pedal operation.
Flat Sole: Shoes must have a flat, non-slip sole for consistent contact with the pedals. High heels or excessively thick soles compromise pedal control and are not permitted.

Examples of Suitable Footwear

Athletic sneakers
Flat, closed-toe casual shoes
Low-profile, sturdy boots

Footwear to Avoid

Sandals, flip-flops, or slippers
High heels or platform shoes
Loose, oversized, or ill-fitting shoes

Support Devices

Individuals wearing orthopedic support devices, such as casts, splints, or braces, will be prohibited from all driving lessons and road tests. These devices pose a safety risk during operation of a vehicle, impairing mobility and reaction time.

Cancellation Policy for Medical Reasons:

At The Next Street, we understand that unexpected medical situations may arise, preventing you from attending your scheduled appointment. To support our customers while maintaining the integrity of our scheduling policies, we offer the following option for fee waivers under certain circumstances:

Standard Cancellation Notice: Our Standard policy requires a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for cancellations to avoid a cancellation fee. If you need to cancel for medical reasons and cannot provide the required notice, we may waive this fee upon request and verification.
Medical Verification: To ensure fairness, we kindly request a note from a healthcare provider verifying that the cancellation was due to a medical issue. The note should include:
- A confirmation that a medical necessity prevented attendance (no specific medical details required).
- The date of your missed appointment.

Privacy Note: We do NOT require or retain any specific health information. The note should only confirm that medical circumstances prevented your attendance on the appointment date.

How to Submit Verification:
- Send the doctor’s note via the student portal.
- Please submit this within 2 days of your missed appointment to qualify for the fee waiver.
Processing Time: Once we receive the verification, we will review and notify you of
the fee waiver approval within 3-5 business days.

Inclement Weather Cancellations

In the event of inclement weather, cancellations will be determined by The Next Street. We will notify students of any class, driving lesson, or license test cancellations via email and SMS, along with instructions on next steps. For class and lesson cancellations, students are responsible for rescheduling through their Student Portal. License test cancellations will include additional guidance for rescheduling.

No Parents or Guardians in the Backseat During Driving Lessons

We are committed to providing all our students with a safe, professional, and effective learning environment. To ensure the highest quality of instruction and to maintain safety and focus on the driving lessons, The Next Street does not allow anyone besides enrolled students or Next Street personnel in the vehicle during driving lessons. There are no exceptions to this policy. All driving lessons will be conducted with only the student and certified Next Street personnel.

Late Pick-Up Policy

This policy outlines the responsibility of parents or guardians to ensure appropriate transportation arrangements for their students after each lesson. The goal is to maintain a safe and efficient environment for all students and instructors.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations: Lessons begin and end at designated pickup/drop-off locations. These locations are communicated to parents or guardians in advance (can also be found in the student portal) and are intended to facilitate a smooth transition for students into and out of their lessons.
Responsibility for Timely Pick-Up: Parents or guardians are required to arrange appropriate transportation for their students to be picked up immediately at the end of each lesson.
Instructor Waiting Time: Instructors will remain with students for a maximum duration of 15 minutes following the end of their lesson to allow for any unforeseen delays.
Procedure for Late Pick-Up: After the 15-minute grace period, if a parent or guardian has not arrived and no other prearranged transportation is available, the instructor will no longer be responsible for supervising the student. The student will be left at the designated pick-up/drop-off location.
Contact Local Authorities: If the parent or guardian does not arrive within the 15-minute grace period and we are unable to reach them, we may contact the local authorities for assistance to ensure the safety of the student.

We encourage all parents or guardians to plan accordingly and communicate proactively to avoid any issues related to pick-up.

Road Test Policies

Eligibility

To be eligible for the road test at a Next Street location, students under 18 must complete the Full Driver Education Course. Students over 18 must complete at least one, 2-hour driving lesson. Students are responsible for verifying their eligibility, which includes completing all required classes, lessons, observations, final exam, and completing necessary signatures.

Teens – Under 18 Years Old

Must hold a learner’s permit for 6 months from the date of issue.
Complete the Full Driver’s Education Program.
Be at least 16 ½ years old.

Adults – Over 18 Years Old

Must hold a valid learner’s permit.
Complete at least a 2-hour driving lesson.

Cancellations & No- Shows

License test cancellations must be made at least 5 days in advance. Late cancellations will result in a $60 fee. Students are also responsible for any applicable RMV fees, which must be paid directly to the RMV. No-shows for the license test will result in forfeiture of the test service and a $35 fee paid directly to the RMV

Required Items: As outlined in Driving Lesson Policy
Retest Fees: Stated testing fees apply plus any RMV fees.

Driver’s Education Certificate Guidelines

Completion Certificates are filed directly with the RMV and are not sent directly to the student. To be issued a certificate, students must meet the following requirements:

Pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher.
If under 18, a parent or guardian must complete the Parent Class.
Provide a valid MA permit number.
Complete all required courses and obtain all necessary signatures.
Ensure the account is paid in full.

Account Deactivation Guidelines

In accordance with RMV regulations, students are required to complete their program within 24 months of the class start date. After this 24-month period, accounts will automatically expire, and unused products will be forfeited. Students with expired accounts must re-enroll in a new course to continue their training.

Payment and Account Balance Policy

All outstanding fees must be paid within 30 days of the assessment date. The Next Street reserves the right to apply the value of any unused products or services toward any outstanding balance, at its discretion and without prior notice. To avoid forfeiting unused services or products, we strongly recommend settling any balances promptly. Please note that any scheduled appointments may be subject to cancellation if there are unpaid fees on the account. Unused products will be forfeited upon account expiration. Completion certificates will not be issued if there is an outstanding balance on the account.

Refund Guidelines

Bundles: Non-refundable and non-transferable.
Example, products that offer a quantity discount such as the Full Driver Education Bundle.
A la Carte: Products purchased within the last 6 months are eligible for a refund, subject to a 10% processing fee.

Gift Certificates

Gift certificates can be purchased for any denomination and applied to any of our services. They are non-refundable, non- transferable, and do not expire. However, they may not cover the full cost of enrollment if time has passed since purchase.

Communication Guidelines

If you opt out of marketing communications, you are still responsible for adhering to the content of those messages. All communications from The Next Street, including email and text confirmations or reminders, are provided as a courtesy. While we strive to send timely reminders, The Next Street is not liable for any missed appointments due to the absence of such reminders. It is the student’s sole responsibility to manage their appointments by regularly checking their Student Portal for the confirmed date, time, and location of each appointment.

Recording

For the safety of our customers and employees, as well as for training and quality assurance purposes, all driving lessons, classroom sessions, license tests conducted by The Next Street, and phone calls may be video and/or audio recorded. These recordings are retained in accordance with public record laws.