Building Safe, Confident Drivers for Life.
Coach Rod's Driving Academy is running three 3-week Driver's Education sessions this winter at South Baldwin Christian Academy — virtual classwork, in-person driving, and a road test with Coach Rod so your student can skip the DMV entirely. Each session is capped at 15 students, so seats go fast.
Also offering: Private Driving Lessons (by appointment) — $150 / 2 hrs · In-Person Permit Class (Mon, Dec 28) — $75
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Since 2018
Mitch Rodrigue — known around Gulf Shores as “Coach Rod” — has taught teens to drive since 2018 and brings the same patience he uses as a high school coach and classroom teacher to every lesson.
Coach Rod works with beginning drivers and students with a range of learning styles, and is committed to helping every student become a safe, confident, responsible driver for life. He also provides driver's education for homeschool and private-school students who don't have access to a program through their own school.
Certified third-party road testing
Safe, trusted driver's education vehicle
Serving homeschool & private-school students
Local to Gulf Shores, serving all of Baldwin County
Coach & mentor, on and off the road
Experienced instructor since 2018
Each session runs three weeks, Monday through Friday. Once a session's 15 seats are filled, it's closed — reach out early to hold your student's spot.
Use the links above to download the supervised-driving log sheet and the parental permission form, then see the Driver's License Checklist below. As Coach Rod puts it: driver's ed isn't where a student learns to drive for the first time — students should already know their vehicle's operation and the rules of the road.
To receive the ALEA/SDE driver's license certificate, your student must meet every requirement below. Check items off as you go — your progress is saved on this device.
Important: A signed parental permission form must be on file before your student can participate, and passing Driver's Education does not guarantee the license certificate — all five requirements must be met.
Your student must hold a current Alabama learner's license (permit) to take the course.
Print, sign, and turn in the ALEA/SDE Third-Party Testing permission form before the first class.
Download the permission form (PDF)Practice with a parent or guardian and record every session on the driving log.
Download the driving log (PDF)Finish the virtual classwork and in-person driving with Coach Rod.
Complete the driving skills test with Coach Rod, a certified third-party road test administrator.
The certificate isn't valid until both are true.
Apply online, at the probate office, or at an ALEA exam office. Coach Rod will send instructions once every objective is met. First-time STAR ID? You must visit an ALEA driver license testing office.
Need extra time behind the wheel, or not ready for driver's ed yet? Coach Rod also offers these.
Coach Rod accepts the following payment methods. Enter the amount for your class when you pay.
Payment must be made in full before your student's first class or lesson. A student's seat isn't confirmed until payment is received. Please include your student's name in the payment note.
Choose a Driver's Ed session (15 seats each), a private lesson, or the permit class. Fill out the form and it'll open a pre-filled email to Coach Rod — or call/text 251-490-0965 and he'll get your student on the schedule.
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Pay Now Call 251-490-0965 coachmrodrigue@gmail.comStudents enrolled in public school, private school, or homeschooled, who hold a valid Alabama learner's permit. Space is limited to 15 students per session, so it's best to sign up early.
Both. Classwork (traffic laws, defensive driving, rules of the road) is completed virtually, and behind-the-wheel instruction happens in person at South Baldwin Christian Academy.
A laptop for the virtual coursework, a valid Alabama learner's permit, a completed log of 15 hours of supervised driving, and a signed ALEA/SDE parental permission form. Both forms can be downloaded on this page — see the Driver's License Checklist.
No — Coach Rod is a certified third-party road test administrator. Students test with him, and the score is submitted directly to ALEA, so you can skip the DMV line entirely.
Often, yes. Many insurance companies offer a discount for teen drivers who complete a driver's education course — check with your provider once your student finishes for the specific savings available on your policy.
Each Driver's Ed session is capped at 15 students. Once one fills, sign-ups close for that session — pick another session, or call or text 251-490-0965 to check current availability.