FAQ
Youth FAQs
1. Do I have to take the 4 hour course and the permit test even though I am over 18 years old?
Yes. Even if you are over the age of 18 you still have to take the 4 hour course and the permit test. You do not have to get the learners permit, but you do have to take the test.
2. If I am over 18 years old, can I take the permit test online?
Unfortunately, you cannot. If you are over the age of 18 you have to go to the DMV in person and take the permit test there. The test will be approximately $10.00 to take and we can reimburse for that cost as long as you save the receipt.
3. Can I take driving lessons without a permit?
No. In order for you to take driving lessons, you need to have a permit in hand. The driving schools will not provide you any lessons unless you show them your permit every time you have a scheduled lesson.
4. Do I have to wait until I am 18 years old to get my license.
No. You do not have to wait until you are 18 years old to get your license. If you have a permit in hand and you have had it for more than 12 months you are eligible to take the road test and get your license.
5. Does K2I pay directly for my learners permit at the DMV or do they have a code for me to use at the DMV to pay for it?
The program does not pay for the learners permit fee directly to the DMV and no code is provided to pay, however whomever pays can get reimbursed by us as long as they send us the reimbursement form, the receipt and a clear picture of the permit for the file.
6. Does K2I pay for any outstanding tickets that I have?
No. The Keys Program does not pay for any outstanding tickets you may have or any future tickets you may obtain.
7. Does K2I pay for tag and title when I purchase a vehicle?
No. The Keys Program does not pay for tag and title fees.
8. If I lose my learners permit, does K2I reimburse for my permit replacement.
Yes. Keys to Independence will reimburse you for a learners permit replacement. Make sure to send K2I the reimbursement form, the receipt and the copy of the new permit.
9. Does K2I pay for the reinstatement of my learners permit or driver’s license?
No. Keys to Independence will not pay or reimburse for the reinstatement fees of a permit or a license.
10. When taking the permit test online, do I need to enter a valid driver’s license number?
Yes. In order for the permit test to open an adult over 21 years old with the youth, has to enter a valid driver’s license number. The DMV uses the license number as a proctor and nothing else.
Caregiver FAQs
1. Who qualifies for the K2I Program?
Youth ages 15 up to 21 years old in out of home care with an open dependency case. Once youth turns 21 they no longer qualify for the program. The following youth can be part of K2I and receive services:
- Youth under the age of 18
- Youth in EFC – up to 21 years old
- Youth in PESS – 6 months from PESS acceptance date
- Youth that have been adopted – 6 months from adoption date
- Youth in PG – 6 months from PG date
- Youth that left care – 6 months from date youth left care
- Youth with closed case – 6 months from case closure
2. What does being in “out of home care” mean?
Youth who have been removed from their homes and placed with a foster family, relative/non relative, in a group home or in a residential facility are considered to be in “out of home care.”
3. Do youth in DJJ qualify for the program?
If the youth meets the qualifications above, they will be accepted into the program even though they are in DJJ. It’s up to the DJJ program to let the youth participate in K2I and take the courses within their facility.
4. What happens in the event the youth moves to a different placement?
Anytime a youth moves placements K2I must be contacted that way the youths file can be updated with the most current information. K2I requests the youth’s new address, name of caregiver, caregivers email, caregiver’s number and youths contact number if available.
5. Once a youth is enrolled in the program, is there a timeframe in which the youth has to obtain their license?
K2I does not impose specific time limits on enrolled youth. However, because funds are limited and must be expended on a first come, first serve basis, we recommend that youth move through the process at the normal pace allotted for each step.
6. Will a caregiver be charged more on their insurance policy if they have a youth with a learner’s permit in their home?
No. The Florida Statutes 627.746 prohibit insurers from charging caregivers more for their car insurance for a youth who has a learner’s permit. Once the youth gets a driver’s license, the insurance agency can/will charge the policy holder for having another person with a license in their home.
7. Will a caregiver, case manager or an authorized representative of a residential group home signs the youth’s application for a learner’s permit assume any obligation or be liable for any damages?
No. Although DMV personnel at your local office may say that the adult co-signer assumes responsibility for the negligence of the youth, Florida Statutes 322.094(4) exempts foster parents/caregivers of a minor, an authorized representative of a residential group home at which the minor resides or the caseworker at the agency from assuming any obligation or liability for any damages by signing the application.
8. Will K2I cover the expense of a caregiver’s policy if the policy exceeds the statutory minimum required to obtain a driver’s license?
Keys to Independence is able to reimburse for the cost of insurance that is required for the youth under the caregiver’s basic auto insurance plan. The Keys Program cannot cover the cost of a policy that provides a higher level of protection to a caregiver including an umbrella policy or for a specific automobile primarily driven by the youth.
9. Can a youth obtain their own policy and what kind of policy?
Yes. The youth can obtain their own car insurance policy. The K2I program requires that the youth obtains the state minimum required, also known as liability and no uninsured motorists.
10. What happens in the event the youth moves to a different placement?
Anytime a youth moves placements, a K2I Coordinator must be contacted. If a youth moves to different out of home placement, they are still eligible for the program, but must submit a new Participant Roles & Responsibilities Agreement signed with the appropriate caregiver. A K2I Coordinator will work with the youth and their new caregiver to transition insurance coverage, if applicable. If the youth is not covered by a policy during the transition, the youth should stop driving during this period.
If a youth’s status changes and they are no longer in out of home care, they are no longer eligible for the program or may be eligible for a limited time period of up to six months, contact your K2I Coordinator.
If a placement or status change occurs in a period for which insurance has already been reimbursed, the prorated insurance premium must be returned to the Keys to Independence Program. Contact a K2I Coordinator to discuss a reasonable timeline; insurance companies will reimburse the policyholder for the prorated amount effective the date a youth is removed from a policy. Once received by the policyholder, the funds should be repaid to the program. Each youth and caregiver is required to agree during the application process to notify the program in the case of such an event. Both are individually responsible to make this notification. Quality control checks of each participant will be conducted randomly to confirm placement status.
11. The youth took the skill or knowledge test, but did not achieve a passing score. What happens next?
The youth should follow DMV guidelines for waiting periods between retake attempts at the skill or knowledge test. In between tests, we encourage the caregiver to actively assist in studying and/or enhancing driving skills in areas of deficiency.
The initial attempt at taking the skill and knowledge test are included in the cost of the license fee. Additional fees are charged by the DMV for each subsequent re-take of either test. The Keys to Independence Program is able to reimburse up to $100 in such testing fees
— just submit the payment receipts with the Reimbursement Request Form.
12. Once a youth is enrolled in the program, are there time limits to achieve each licensure status?
Keys to Independence does not impose specific time limits on enrolled youth. However, because funds are limited and must be expended on a first come, first serve basis, staff will periodically contact enrolled youth to discuss their progress. If completion of the permitting process or driver’s education is delayed, the program will be unable to hold funds for insurance or other expenses if the youth has not progressed through the process at a normal rate. If an enrolled youth experiences an unexpected barrier, he/she should contact a K2I Coordinator so that they can work together to find a solution.