Explore Topsail Driving Academy
Safe Driving is our BUSINESS!
Specializing in Teens & Adults
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​​Now offering road test in partnership with the DMV​
(more information below)
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What’s Coming Up
Stay up-to-date with our classes.​​​​​​
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If you reside in any county in North Carolina you can take Driving Education with us.
To book a class please go to the BOOK ONLINE tab on the webiste. You will see a list of dates offered. (We continue to add more dates each month) Click book class and the website will walk you through the steps. Once booked if a teen needs to transfer from one class to another, please notify us ASAP.
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Driving lessons are scheduled outside of classroom instructional time. It typically can take up to 3-4 weeks depending on the size of the class, students' age and students' availability. Students can take the class at 14 1/2 so plan early if you are trying to meet a deadline. Kindly give a 48 hours' notice to cancel driving appointments to avoid a $50 broken appointment fee. NC law requires six hours of driving lessons with a certificated instructor. If you would like to book 8 or 10 hours of instruction after the classroom portion, please reach out to us for more information on our Elite and Excel classes that have more driving instruction hours.
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To register for a class, click on the tab on the top left "Book Online". The participate must be 14 1/2 the first day of class!
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DMV ROAD TEST EVALUATION
We now offer road test in partnership with the DMV. The teen must be at least 16 years old but less than 18. Teens must had held their permit for a minimum of nine month. The cost of the road test is $100. For more information on booking your date with Topsail Driving Academy please reach out to us via email info@topsaildrivingacademy.com or call 910-523-4472 for more information.
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Learn About Us
Committed to Excellence
The trans-formative learning experiences at Topsail Driving Academy is designed to help our students grow both in and out of the classroom. The classes are scheduled to fit a busy teens schedule, homeschoolers and adults. The school has certified instructors that are passionate about what they do. The school is DMV certified and the classes are designed for interactive learning while the laws and regulations of the roadways are taught. Part of keeping teens as well as others on the road safe is to understand the complete rules and laws of the roadway and how drugs and alcohol effect the body. In the course we use the "Drunk Buster Googles" to show the effects of impairment, including reduced alertness, slowed reaction time, poor judgment and decision making, and lack of muscular coordination. The course is designed to help drivers develop a positive attitude towards driving, learn to deal with distractions so they can be a defensive driver and collision free.
The school is conveniently located in Hampstead diagonally across from the Lowes Food shopping center and walking distance from Topsail High School. When choosing a driving school we know you have options. Topsail Driving Academy is dedicated to teaching each students that walks through our door for class the importance of defensive safe driving.
We are here to help our students gain the confidence to drive safe on our roadways. Are you ready to reach your potential?
Pricing
Complete Teen class consist of 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind the wheel training. The class is approved and certified by the Department of Transportation. The 6 hours of behind the wheel training is scheduled outside of the classroom instruction time. Driving time is scheduled individually with each teen. It is done one-on-one with time given to each skill being taught.
Completed Teen course is $500. A $100 deposit is required to hold your teens seat in the class.
Additional drive time can be scheduled for $80 per hour. This is offered to teens that took drivers education through our school or another school. This option is for Adults as well if they have a valid permit or drivers license. If 6 hours is scheduled a discount is given. $425 for 6 hours.
Classroom portion only- 30hr for class instruction with no driving is $375.
-Deposit is non-refundable.
-You may transfer to another class if seats are available.
-The remaining balance should be paid at the beginning of class unless special arrangements have been made.
-Driving time may be schedueld 2-3 weeks afterclass. If a 48 hours notice isn't given to rescheude a driving lesson then we charge a $50 broken appointmnet fee. We will make every effort to fill the appointment to avoid charging the fee.
-Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, Venmo, PayPal, Check & Cash accepted.
Melanie Smades
Owner, Instructor, Schedule Coordinator
My name is Melanie Smades and I'm the owner and one of the instructors at Topsail Driving Academy. I grew up in Sampson County and graduated from Clinton High School. I continued my education in the lovely city of Wilmington and graduated from UNCW in 1998. I have four wonderful children that all attended Topsail Schools.
I know how important it is to keep our roadways safe and I am committed to train each student to feel safe and confident when they walk out of the class. I look forward to working with our community.
