Business Details
17 Years
experience
Your Trusted Driving School in Cedar Rapids, IA
Founded in 2009 by Chris Rolwes, Safe Driver Drivers Education has established itself as a trusted provider of comprehensive driver training in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our certified instructors bring decades of combined experience in both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training, ensuring students receive consistent, high-quality education aligned with Iowa Department of Transportation standards. We offer flexible learning formats including hybrid, in-person, and parent-assisted programs tailored to meet diverse student needs.Our curriculum integrates essential safety education from law enforcement professionals and industry experts, while our structured behind-the-wheel lessons cover urban, suburban, and highway driving scenarios. Committed to community service, we serve students across the Cedar Rapids/Linn County area and surrounding districts, maintaining full licensing, bonding, and insurance compliance.
Services
Driver Education Courses
Behind-the-Wheel Training
Adult Refresher Lessons
Parent-Taught Programs
Hybrid Classroom Instruction
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- Our instructors are fully licensed, experienced, and insured.
- We offer hybrid, in-person, and parent-assisted learning formats.
- Curriculum includes specialized training from law enforcement professionals.
- Serving Cedar Rapids and surrounding school districts since 2009.
- State-approved program with consistent classroom and driving instruction.
Services
Driver Education Courses
Our comprehensive driver education program combines classroom instruction with hands-on driving experience. Students receive 30 hours of classroom learning through hybrid formats and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. The curriculum covers traffic laws, vehicle maintenance, and safety protocols while preparing students for Iowa's graduated licensing requirements.
Behind-the-Wheel Training
Structured behind-the-wheel lessons include urban, suburban, and highway driving scenarios. Students practice basic car control, parking techniques, and interstate navigation with certified instructors. Each session includes personalized feedback and requires students to maintain driving logs for additional practice outside scheduled lessons.
Parent-Taught Programs
This hybrid program combines two hours of professional driving instruction with parent-supervised observation requirements. Students complete 30 hours of classroom instruction through in-person sessions and online modules while receiving guidance for home-based driving practice under parental supervision.
Adult Refresher Lessons
Designed for adults needing additional driving practice, these lessons focus on improving skills in various environments including city traffic, highway driving, and parking scenarios. Instructors provide personalized instruction to build confidence and proficiency for independent driving assessments.
Hybrid Classroom Instruction
Our hybrid format combines two in-person classroom sessions with asynchronous online learning through Canvas. The curriculum includes guest presentations from law enforcement and automotive professionals, covering topics like impaired driving prevention and vehicle maintenance essentials to complement practical driving experience.
People
Chris Rolwes
Owner + Instructor
Founder of Safe Driver Drivers Education since 2009, Chris brings 31 years of instructional experience. A Social Studies teacher at Jefferson High School since 2002, he actively shapes Iowa's driver education curriculum through his role on the Safety Educators of Iowa Board.
Brad Tower
Driving Instructor
Physical Education teacher and coach with 13 years of teaching experience. Started behind-the-wheel instruction in 2023, combining his passion for education with practical life skill development through driver training.
Andrew Tower
Driving Instructor
Experienced Physical Education teacher who joined the team as a Behind-the-Wheel Instructor in 2023. Focuses on creating positive learning experiences that combine safety education with practical driving skills.
Max Matthias
Driving Instructor
Special Education Teacher at Prairie Middle School with several years of behind-the-wheel instruction experience. Combines teaching expertise with practical driving instruction to support student development and safety awareness.
Marvin Trachta
Driving Instructor
Retired Cedar Rapids Community School District educator with extensive driver's education experience. Currently provides summer behind-the-wheel instruction, drawing from decades of teaching experience to create effective learning environments.
Questions
What does the driver education course include?
Our program includes 30 hours of classroom instruction (2 in-person sessions + online modules) and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Students receive a completion certificate for Iowa's graduated licensing process.
What age requirements exist for enrollment?
Students must be at least 14 years old with a valid instructional permit to participate in our driver education program.
What is the refund policy?
Full refunds available before class starts. After first session, maximum $200 refund. Contact Mr. Rolwes directly at 319-573-6378 for refund requests.
How are driving lessons scheduled?
Lesson scheduling opens approximately two weeks before class starts. Students sign up for two-hour increments with at least two students per session.
Do you offer adult driver education?
Currently, we focus on teen driver education. Adult refresher lessons are available for those needing additional practice before independent driving assessments.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Cedar Rapids and Linn County students, with enrollment open to those from surrounding school districts across Iowa.
