MANSFIELD — Dina Price said each of Confident Driving Academy’s instructors have a personal connection to their work as teachers.
Some instructors have lost loved ones to car accidents.
“I do this because I want to offer instruction people can trust for themselves and their family members,” said the owner/ instructor of Confident Driving Academy.
“Our goal is to teach safety-first, defensive driving and to build confident students.”
Dina Price, owner and instructor of confident driving academy
Confident Driving Academy opened for business in July 2024. Price purchased the assets of Superior Driving Academy when her boss, Lisa Bolin, decided to downsize and move to Ashland.
Price celebrated the launch of Confident Driving Academy with a ribbon-cutting Wednesday with her team.
Richland Area Chamber President and CEO Ellen Heinz congratulated Price on the business.
“Thank you so much for your investment in our community and your commitment to improving the driving and driving experience for people from any walk of life,” Heinz said. This is an awesome addition to our community and we’re so thankful.”
Did You Know?
According to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, new drivers under age 18 in Ohio are required to complete 24 hours of classroom instruction, either in-person or online, to receive their permit.
They must also complete eight hours of behind-the-wheel training at a licensed driver training school as a requirement to receive their license. New drivers over age 18 who fail their first attempt at a driving and skills test must also take a driver’s education course.
The BMV requires Ohio drivers to complete 50 hours of driving, with at least 10 hours of night driving to be eligible for a driver’s exam.
Price said turns are the topic she usually has to review the most with students.
“You wouldn’t think that, but you need to be able to do a tight right turn and a square left turn, not go diagonal to the left or hit the curb,” Price said.
“A lot of students pick up their parents’ habits too, so we’ll see one hand on the wheel, or hands on 10 and 2, when it’s 9 and 3 now.”
Victory Baptist Church donated Confident Driving Academy’s classrooms for use in the lower level. The church is at 939 Cook Road at the Trimble Road intersection.
Dina’s husband, Jason, is the lead pastor at Victory Baptist Church. They have three children and two grandchildren.
Her parents, John and Sandy Wiseman, also help with Confident Driving Academy. Price said her father, a mechanic, helps maintain the cars.
“We’re very grateful for the Victory Baptist Church for allowing us to have these spaces down here,” Price said. “It is a blessing to be able to be a part of a community that cares about our young people and provides a safe environment for them to learn.”
Classroom can accommodate up to 30 students
The classroom can accommodate up to 30 students, but Price said most classes are currently between 10 and 15 students.
Classroom instruction is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5 to 9 p.m. Students can attend six classes for in-person instruction to complete 24 hours.
“You can enroll at any time and take classes in any order,” Price said. “We will work with any experience level and offer different dates and times for students so they can pick what works best with their schedules.”
Parents or guardians can sign up a student with the student’s name, birthdate, permit number and issue date, and a guardian’s name and number.
Confident Driving Academy also offers an online course.
“They can bring in their online certificates and we’ll start the eight hours of in-car instruction,” Price said. “We like to have students here in person because we can build that rapport and they’re less nervous when they’re behind the wheel.”
Confident Driving Academy has three vehicles for students to practice with — two Honda Civics and one Chevrolet Cruze.
The driving school offers school pickup and drop-off within 30 minutes of Victory Baptist Church — which includes Ashland and Crawford counties, as well as all of Richland County.
Price said the driving school can also coordinate meeting at a halfway point for students farther away.
Confident Driving Academy has also partnered with Knox Public Health for some grant funding to cover class costs for students with financial eligibility.
Confident Driving Academy is online at confidentdriveoh.org, Facebook and Instagram @confidentdriveoh.
Customers can contact Confident Driving Academy at 419-961-0143 or confidentdriveoh@gmail.com. The school is available by phone every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and office hours are noon to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.
What are Confident Driving Academy’s prices?
Confident Driving Academy accepts students above the age of 15 years and 5 months. It offers a variety of class packages including:
Full Program (24 Hours in Classroom and 8 Hours In Car)
- $495 Total
- $200 Deposit to start class, remainder due two months from start date
Drives Only
- $425 Total
- Use the affiliate online school and bring in the certificate for a pro-rated amount for behind-the-wheel training
- Payment due in full at sign-up
- 24-hour certificate from a licensed driver training school required to start
Private Instruction (In Car) — up to 8 hours
- $75/Hour – Payment due in full at signup
- Pro-rated after four hours
Abbreviated Adult — 4 hours driving
- For those above age 18 who need to retake the driving exam
- $250 payment is due upon sign-up
- $75/Hour
- Use the affiliate online school and bring in the certificate for a pro-rated amount.
One hour “brush up” class (In car)
- Any age
- $75/hour
Confident Driving Academy also offers military and sibling discounts.