Driving Instructor - Darren T. Moran
About Darren
Darren is a Certified Driving Instructor with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and NYS Department of Education. Currently, Darren serves as the Director of Driver Education at Stepinac High School in White Plains NY, and has been a Driver Ed instructor since 2018.
Darren retired as a City of Yonkers Police Officer, with over 27-years of service. He spent over 20-years as a motorcycle officer assigned to the Traffic Division.
As a NYS Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Certified Instructor, Darren was a highly respected instructor at the Westchester County Police Academy. At the academy, he taught new recruits the Emergency Vehicle Operating Course (EVOC), a course designed to instruct law enforcement personnel in the operation of an emergency vehicle and was an instructor for the Accident Investigation Report Writing course.
At the Yonkers Police Motorcycle School, Darren instructed Police Motorcycle Officers, emergency and safety operations. Darren was instrumental in developing the Motorcycle Safety Course, obtaining approval for the curriculum from NYS DCJS.
Darren is recognized as an expert witness in the field of accident investigations.
He is a Certified Accident Investigator and has investigated over 200 accidents involving fatalities and serious injuries.
Darren is patient, personable and an outstanding driving instructor.
Driving Instructor - Bobby Chin
About Bobby
Bobby is a Certified Driving Instructor with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.
Bobby retired as a detective with the Westchester County Police Department, with over 36-years of service. He worked in the patrol division, forensics and warrant squad.
As a NYS Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Certified Instructor, Bobby was a highly respected Emergency Vehicle Operating Course (EVOC) instructor for over 31-years at the Westchester County Police Academy. The EVOC course is designed to instruct law enforcement personnel in the operation of an emergency vehicle.
Bobby is extremely patient and has the background and qualities of a great driving instructor.
Why Choose the Pound Ridge Driving School?
Experienced Instructors
Our team of experienced instructors have years of experience teaching students of all skill levels and share the same values as the Pound Ridge Driving School. They are dedicated to providing top-quality instruction and ensuring that our students become safe and responsible drivers.
We offer behind-the-wheel training for all of our students to ensure that they have the hands-on experience needed to become safe and confident drivers. Our instructors provide one-on-one instruction to help students develop their driving skills.
PRICING
1-Hour Driving Lesson - $105+ applicable fees
Each lesson is customized to the student's needs & skill.
Road Test Service (Westchester) - $190+ applicable fees
- We will schedule the road test appointment for you
- Use of the Driving School Car with an Instructor
- Pick up will be 1-hour before the road test description.
Road Test Service (Putnam or Rockland) - $210+ applicable fees
Road Test Service (Putnam or Rockland) - $210+ applicable fees
- We will schedule the road test appointment for you
- Use of the Driving School Car with an Instructor
- Pick up will be 1-hour before the road test description.
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES & FEES
Distance Surcharge
If the mileage from the customer's home to the road test site, is more than 25 miles.
Overtime Surcharge
There will be a charge of $50 for every 1/2 hour, starting from 30-minutes after the start of the road test.
Example: Road test time is 10:00 AM. The surcharge will be assessed after 10:30 AM, if the road test has not yet been taken.
The Pound Ridge Driving School is not responsible for any delays on the part of the DMV.
Schedule Road Test Appointment
We can schedule the road test for you.
DRIVER EDUCATION
Partnership
The Pound Ridge Driving School is proud to work with Stepinac HS to provide the some of the driving portion for the program.
Our own, Darren T. Moran, is the director of the program and teaches all of the in-class lectures.
Information About the Program
5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course (MV-278)
This course is necessary in order to schedule the road test *
* You DO NOT have to take the 5-hour course if you are taking or took Driver Education. Upon successful completion of the Driver Ed course, you will get the MV-285 certificate, which supersedes the MV-278. Driver Ed can also issue the MV-278 during the course/semester.
Cost per Student for the 5-Hour Course
Classes are scheduled by appointment
NYS DMV Recommendation for the Day of the Road Test
From the NYS DMV website:
"Try to arrive up to 30-minutes before the time of your test. If you are late, the license examiner may not be able to conduct your test and you will have to reschedule."
Information & Links
Helpful links and information, to guide you, as prepare to get your driver's license
Myths About the Road Test
The Locations
There are five sites in Westchester County:
1. Yorktown (northeast)
2. White Plains (middle)
3. New Rochelle (southeast)
4. Peekskill (northwest)
5. Yonkers (southwest)
It's NOT WHERE you take the road test, it's HOW you take it.
The Examiners work at ALL of the locations and are at a different location daily.
The Examiners
- There are approximately twenty NYS DMV Examiners.
- In my experience, they are ALL fair. As in life, they all have different personalities.
- Understand that they have a job to do.
- The decision to "pass" someone to obtain a driver's license, is a big responsibility.
- The examiners CANNOT instruct you during the test.
- "Fail Gail" retired from the DMV around 2013, but the legend lives on.
- Blaming "Fail Gail" when you fail the road test, is like a carpenter blaming the hammer when a nail doesn't go in straight.
The Vehicle
The vehicle must have:
- functional seat belts
- headlights
- windshield wipers and other equipment
- a front passenger area free of trash, clutter or debris that might stain or damage the license examiner’s uniform
- a front passenger door able to be opened from the inside of the vehicle
Any vehicle not in compliance with the above, may result in the examiner denying you taking the test.
Miscellaneous:
- The Examiners don't judge you or care if you have an expensive car.
- If you use an Electric Vehicle (EV), you MUST use the brake when slowing/stopping.
- Failure to use the brake will result in a FAILED road test.
- You MUST operate/control the vehicle AT ALL times.
Time of Day
There is no good or bad time to take the road test.
If you take the test during "rush hour", obviously there will be a little more traffic.
If you can't handle rush hour traffic, you shouldn't take the road test or get a license!
The Examiners don't have different moods at different times of the day.
The NYS Road Test is on real streets with traffic and real life scenarios.
Test Itself
The road test usually takes between 7-10 minutes
The DMV minimum standard is:
- 3 left turns
- 3 right turns
- Parallel parking
- Three-point turn
Cautiousness is always better than careless or reckless.
Final Thoughts
If you are not ready to take the road test, DON'T TAKE IT!
It's better a week later, than a week too soon.
A Driver's License is a PRIVILEGE, not a RIGHT.
Our Vehicles
Subaru Impreza
Our training vehicles are modern and well-maintained, ensuring your safety and comfort during your driving lessons. They are also equipped with dual controls, allowing your instructor to take control of the vehicle if necessary.
Where We buy Our Cars:
We support our local Subaru Dealer, Prestige Subaru, in Pleasantville, NY.
What is the Subaru Love Promise?
"Subaru and our retailers believe in making the world a better place and the Subaru Love Promise is our vision of respecting all people. This is our commitment to show love and respect to our customers and to work to make a positive impact in the world."
Subaru Crosstrek
Important Information About Motorcycle Safety
From Phillip Wells PR Coordinator | Meirowitz & Wasserberg:
"We are always trying to ensure that people are as safe as possible throughout their day-to-day lives and especially on the roads. We put together a research article comparing the dangers of drunk driving, drowsy driving, and distracted driving. Not surprisingly, they are all terrifyingly dangerous. It has some great information. The dangers of drunk driving are well known, but many are unaware of the data behind drowsy and distracted driving, and how they can be just as life threatening."
50 Causes of Distracted Driving
TECHNOLOGY AND DRIVING
Newer vehicles are loaded up with all sorts of gizmos and gadgets, many of which are distracting for drivers when they take their minds and eyes off the road. While driving, limit your technology use to what’s necessary.
