Located in the large metal building next to the Broadway Post Office is the newly opened Rockingham Driving Institute. The business specializes in preparing young people to get their driver’s license and adults seeking their Class A or B commercial drivers’ license. In addition to providing access to defensive driving classes for those required to do so.
Connie Showalter and her husband Dwight opened the school with many years of business experience and driving commercially under their belt. Connie teaches classes for those learning behind the wheel and Dwight will teach the CDL classes.
It’s not simple and easy to start a driving school these days.
The Showalter’s had originally started the process in April of 2021 and 8 months later where able to open their doors. The DMV process as one might guess is cumbersome and potentially expensive to navigate. The State requires school operators to file numerous forms and prepare and pass various inspections. Space requirements for a driving school are set at 20 sq. ft. per student this greatly increases the size of building needed.
To obtain a driver’s license these days requires 36 hours classroom education that is usually completed at the high school. After this is completed, students can begin training behind the wheel of a car to prepare for their driving test at DMV. Rockingham Driving Institute is helpful for teens who are home schooled or don’t pass their classroom or drivers exam. Both the classroom portion and behind the wheel are offered.
CDL instruction is in high demand due to the strong demand for truck drivers. As a group truck driver are not being replaced as fast as they retire. Add to this the need for new drivers and this career is in very high demand.
Group classes for behind the wheel or CDL are the norm however private lessons are also offered. And pick up is available to those living within 25 miles of Broadway to help those who don’t have transportation to the business location.
The best way to inquire about classes, costs and availability are to call the office at 540-901-2128
Website: rockinghamdrivinginstitute.com
