The following are some answers to common questions you may have about the program. If you do not see an answer to a question you have, please contact us.
How long do Tire Rack Street Survival events last?
This is a one-day class. Most start early in the morning and end late in the afternoon (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
How much is the course?
$75 per course, per person.
What is the minimum and maximum age a student can be to participate in a Tire Rack Street Survival school?
Licensed or permitted drivers, ages 15 to 21 are allowed in the program.
What are the requirements of “permitted students”?
Permitted drivers will be allowed in the Tire Rack Street Survival program IF
All conditions of the permit can be met in a safe manner, i.e. if the permit requires a licensed driver in the car at all times. If a parent is required to be in the car in addition to this, then this student will not be allowed as it would require a passenger in the back seat of the car and that is considered too hazardous for the exercises in the school, and some times it is physically impossible.
The driver must be a minimum of 15 years old (regardless of the minimum age for the state issuing the permit) and have had a permit for a minimum of ½ the time required by the state holding jurisdiction over that permit, (not the state that the school is located in) i.e. if the permit must be held for 6 months before the driver can take their driving test, then the student must have had the permit a minimum of 3 months. We recommend that they have driven at least 25 hours before coming to the class.
Does the Tire Rack Street Survival school provide vehicles to use in the event?
No. Students need to arrive in their own vehicle, or the one that they most frequently drive on a daily basis.
Do students have to drive a BMW?
No, absolutely not. We want students to participate in Tire Rack Street Survival® using the car they normally drive so they will understand the response characteristics of the car they drive daily.
Do parents have to attend?
While we cannot require that you come to the class we strongly suggest that you do. We encourage you to sit in the classroom sessions and listen to those presentations. Even though you have been driving for many years, we feel that there are things that you might learn from experiencing these with you new driver.
We also feel that the importance of driving education and seriousness of this issue is reinforced when your new driver sees you taking an active interest in what they are doing.
Can students share a vehicle?
If siblings are attending an event together, and the car they both drive on a daily basis is the same, most certainly.
What if I drive an SUV or Truck?
SUVs, SAVs, Trucks, Jeep-type vehicles, Minivans and other High Center of Gravity vehicles (HCG’s) will need to be verified before being allowed to participate. Older HCG’s without electronic stability control (not just the electronic traction control) will not be accepted.
These vehicles can prove to be poor choices for first-time drivers, especially small SUVs and trucks. Early models without traction and/or stability control have statistically proven to be unfortunate choices. These vehicles tend to be light in the rear end and thus have a tendency to “fishtail” during panic stops or when the road is slick. Even with four-wheel drive, pickups and SUVs are less stable, take longer to stop, and are generally more dangerous for a new driver. Most are top heavy and can tip or roll over under severe maneuvers. Less-experienced drivers may be more likely to use abrupt steering motions, that can cause rollovers. Please note that most older SUV and trucks are not rated the way cars are rated. These vehicles are not required to meet the same crash standards as a passenger car.
Our goal is to conduct the safest and most rewarding experience for your teen driver. Approved HCG Vehicles with electronic stability control may still be limited with respect to some of the exercises in which they are allowed to participate based on local venue conditions.
If your new driver operates one of these type of vehicles and would like to participate, please look up the vehicles safety score.
You can see their rating test at www.safercar.gov/Safety+Ratings.
This review is for HCG vehicles only.
Passenger cars do not need to be reviewed.
Any vehicle with a listing of 3 stars or more out of 5 in the “Roll Over” test will be allowed to participate in our class. We are concerned about the Roll Over test on the HCG only. We are not concerned about the crash test ratings.
Any HCG vehicle listed as “not rated” in the Roll Over test will not be allowed to participate.
Do students wear helmets?
No helmets are required at the schools. All exercises are low-speed events and coaches are in the student’s car at all times during these exercises.
Will I receive a discount from my auto insurance provider upon completion of a school?
Many auto insurance companies do recognize Tire Rack Street Survival as an educational program that can count towards premium discounts. Check with your auto insurer to find out more information.
What is the registration fee refund policy?
Refunds will be issued for cancellations up to the Thursday before the event. You must contact the school registrar and/or the BMW CCA Foundation National Office no later than 5 PM EST on the Thursday before the scheduled school.
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations after Thursday or for no shows. We have volunteers coming into town expecting to teach at the school and other students may have missed an opportunity to attend the school.
