Safety message for behind-the-wheel students

The DMV has implemented safety measures to minimize customer contact. Driving schools are only permitted to have 1 student and the instructor in a vehicle at a time. Additionally, the 50-minute observation periods are temporarily being waived.

All students and instructors MUST wear a face mask in the vehicle. Gloves can be worn if desired. We ask that students wash their hands before they enter the vehicle. We will continue to sanitize our vehicles and equipment between student appointments and provide students with hand sanitizer.

Any student who feels sick should stay home and reschedule their class period.

Stop! Check Your Eligibility

This must be your first driver's license

You have NEVER held a driver's license. This includes a driver's license issued by any state, U.S. territory, or foreign country.

This cannot be taken instead of a re-examination class

You have NOT failed the DMV Final Road Test three (3) times.

No out-of-state learner's permit

You have a valid Virginia issued learner's permit.

You have completed a Virginia driver education class (36 periods)

An out-of-state completion certificate will NOT be accepted. The course must be completed with a certificate in-hand before behind-the-wheel can begin. The only exception is if you are taking both driver education and behind-the-wheel with this school.

Behind-the-Wheel For Adults

About the Behind-the-Wheel Course

The behind-the-wheel course consists of 7 classes (1 class per day) of in-car instruction. The class must have at least 2 students per student driver vehicle. Each class is approximately 2 hours in the vehicle, 50 minutes of driving and 50 minutes of observation.

The road skills test is given during the seventh instruction period. Upon successful completion of the course and the road test, you will receive an adult waiver that must be submitted to DMV to have your driver's license issued.

Driving Experience Expected

You should be able to demonstrate proficiency in driving skills. The behind-the-wheel course does not include teaching you how to drive. You should walk into this course with the skills needed to qualify to take the DMV Final Road Test.

However, if you need to be taught skills or how to drive we can include teaching skills for a higher fee. If you enter this course with minimal or no skills and experience, then you should understand that the 6.5 hours of driving in this course may not be enough time for you to learn and perform the skills necessary to qualify for a driver's license.

Program Not Required for Adults

The Driver Education Program is NOT required for individuals age 18 or older applying for a driver's license. Individuals age 18 and older can hold the learner's permit for a period of 60 days, then return to the DMV to take the Final Road Test. Road test applicants must complete the CSMA 19 form with a licensed driver and submit the form to the DMV when arriving to take the test.

How The Process Works

Once you've registered for behind-the-wheel, the school will reach out to you to complete documents and coordinate scheduling. The schedule is dictated by the school's current enrollment list and your availability, typically, most students complete the process in 2 weeks.

When your course begins, please have the following:

Your Virginia learner's permit
Your DEC-1 or DTS 36 (driver education certificate)
Comfortable shoes that are safe for driving

Upon completion of your course, your instructor will provide the Final Road Test. If you pass the road test, your instructor will finalize the DMV documentation for your adult waiver.

Temporary licenses are NOT issued by the driving school. You must submit your yellow copy of the adult waiver "DMV COPY" to the DMV for the issuance of your driver's license. The hard copy of your driver's license will be mailed to you by the DMV, generally within 2 to 3 weeks. For this reason, make sure the DMV has your correct mailing address as the DMV does not forward their mail.

Behind-the-Wheel Fees

Prices are subject to change without notice

Enroll in Behind-the-Wheel

Scheduling Update

Due to a massive volume of customers and a rapidly expanding wait time for driving hours, currently, we are not scheduling new driving students. Students can register to be added to a waitlist. An estimated start period will be given, however, that date is not guaranteed. We will begin scheduling new waitlist students once our backlog of driving hours returns to a wait time range of approximately 5-to-6 weeks or less.

Enrollment Process

Step 1: Complete and submit the registration form

Step 2: Sign the contract and eligibility checklist that will be sent to your email within 48 hours after registration. A response email is required! There is no way for us to know that you agree to the terms if there is no communication. Even if you think it will take you a couple of days to gather your paperwork, still respond by the deadline given.

NOTE: Any registration submitted after office hours, on a weekend, or a holiday will have a longer wait period.

Step 3: Coordinate a schedule with the instructor or a school representative. Once the schedule is confirmed, a Square Invoice will be sent to your email with a due date for the 40% non-refundable deposit and a due date for the remaining balance.

For questions or comments, call our office Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at 757-926-5956 or send an email to info@topnotchdriving.net.