Do not study the reputation of SEA, ignore the experience of instructors, make a choice only in favor of a lower price – one of the most common mistakes when choosing a driving school.

According to the Department of Transportation, the only transit support body that allows you to check whether a citizen meets the ability to drive a vehicle is the Center for Automobile Education (CEA).

Choosing the right automotive training center is a fundamental part of acquiring a solid foundation, skills and the necessary confidence on the road. However, with such a large number of options, it can be difficult to make the right decision.

According to the Department of Transportation, the only traffic support body that allows you to check whether a citizen meets the ability to drive a vehicle is the Center for Automobile Education (CEA), and although there are a large number of such organizations throughout the country that are authorized to operate throughout the territory countries. , there are also many other educational centers that operate illegally. Simbad Ceballos, CEO of Colombian technology company Olimpia IT, notes that “in an environment where automotive education is key to road safety, as it is one of the ways to reduce accidents, the importance of choosing a center cannot be minimized. adequate training, the increase in the number of illegal centers is a clear warning of the associated risks,” he said.

For this reason, Milicencia.co, a portal created by Olimpia IT that allows you to complete the procedures related to obtaining a driver’s license, presents the five most common mistakes to avoid when choosing a car training center:

1. Failure to investigate the authority and reputation of the Centro de Enseñanza Automovilistica.

Before enrolling in any driving school, it is important to study its credentials and reputation. Make sure this automotive training center has all the licenses and certifications required by the Department of Transportation.

According to Ceballos, the authorized school meets teaching and safety standards. This is why it is necessary to search the internet for testimonials and testimonials from previous students to get an idea of ​​other students’ experiences at the school. “Positive feedback and recommendations need to be taken into account as they are signs that the chosen school is trustworthy,” Ceballos adds.

In fact, the portal www.milicencia.co provides coverage in all regions of the country, with more than 250 training centers where you can find the nearest schools that are allowed to operate by current address or city of origin.

2. Ignore the experience and qualifications of driving instructors.

Driving instructors play an important role in driver education. Therefore, their experience and qualifications cannot be ignored. A team of experienced instructors will be able to provide effective driving techniques and valuable advice for dealing with various situations on the road. Among the topics covered in the classes are: basic mechanics, rules of the road, civic culture, road signs, and crossing and overtaking maneuvers.

3. Decision only because the price is lower

Some driving schools offer reduced rates but sacrifice the quality of education, and some do not even have permission from the Ministry of Transport to operate. For this reason, it is important not to base the choice on offers, but to find out what services are included in the price, such as the number of practical and theoretical lessons, the use of school vehicles and the quality of education.

“It must be remembered that the issuance of a driver’s license is a procedure with regulated values, and if someone tries to sell a course with a price higher than $1,500,000 for the first procedure, this is a sign of suspicious practice,” he says. executive. Below is a list of categories and the maximum values ​​for each of them:

Course category and maximum values

A1 (Low cylinder motorcycles): $731,000

A2 (Large displacement motorcycles): $835,000.

B1 (Vehicles for private use): $1,111,000.

B2 (Trucks, buses and private service vans): $1,699,000.

B3 (Articulated vehicles for private use): $2,631,000.

C1 (Municipal vehicles): $1,388,000.

C2 (Trucks, buses and public buses): $2,010,000.

C3 (Articulated public utility vehicles): $2,907,000.

4. Inability to attend classes

In order to be able to issue a driver’s license, you must first take a driving course, pass a theoretical and practical exam, which must be passed at the end of the training. Each driving school follows a specific curriculum and teaching methods, but the topics taught are universal, such as traffic signs or changing tires. If you do not attend classes, the Automotive Education Center will not allow you to pass the assessment and you will not be able to complete the application for a license.

The minimum number of hours of theory lessons is 25 and practical lessons 15. This value varies by category, but if any institution offers a certificate with less training time, this means that it is illegal and should be reported to the Department of Transportation.

5. Do not take into account the location of the driving school

The location of an automotive learning center is vital, as choosing a school near your home or place of work can save you time and make it easier to access and attend classes.

Making informed decisions when choosing an automotive training center is essential to a successful future on the road. By avoiding these five common mistakes, you will be one step closer to becoming a safe and responsible driver.