driver education program For Adults
Virginia's Driver Education Program
The program consists of two (2) classes. Both classes must be completed to take the road test and earn an adult waiver from a driver training school.
You are required to check if you are eligible before completing this program. If you are unsure, then contact us and we will help determine if you meet the state's eligibility requirements.
Are You Eligible for an Adult Waiver?
- You have NEVER held a driver's license. This includes a driver's license issued by any state, U.S. territory, or foreign country.
- You have NEVER had your driving privilege prohibited, suspended, or revoked by any court or the DMV.
- You have NOT failed the DMV Final Road Test three (3) times.
- 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.
If you meet the requirements listed above, then you are eligible to complete the driver education program for an adult waiver.
About the Driver Education Course
The first class of the program must present 36 classroom periods, including components about alcohol safety, drug abuse awareness, aggressive driving, distracted driving, pedestrian and bicycle safety, handicapped parking, fuel-efficient driving practices, motorcycle awareness, and organ and tissue donation awareness.
The online curriculum is available to those who feel comfortable working on a computer and working independently.
About the Behind-the-Wheel Course
The second class of the program must include 14 in-car instruction periods. The class is scheduled for 7 days with 2 instruction periods completed each day. 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
These are NOT driving lessons. You must already be an experienced driver. This is an assessment course of your driving skills for a driver's license. 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, then 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. This program is optional and is offered by DMV for individuals who would like to get their driver's license before the learner's permit 60-day holding period is finished and/or complete the road test with a driving school.
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 Behind-the-Wheel Process Works
Once you have applied 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, DTS 36 (driver education certificate), or DTS C (if your certificate is for the 36 fifty-minute periods of the classroom component of driver's education)
- 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.
Enroll in Behind-the-Wheel
Enrollment Process
Step 1: Complete and submit the application.
- The application can be completed at the office in-person. Arrangements must be made to schedule a day and time to come by the office by calling 757-926-5956.
Step 2: Students will be contacted by email and scheduled in the order that the forms are submitted. Please give us 24 to 48 hours to get responses and contracts sent as we are expecting a high volume of applications to be submitted.
***NOTE: Any applications received during an office holiday will have a longer wait period. However, the system will record the date and time the application was submitted so we will know the order to respond to everyone.***
Your response email will have a contract attached with a submission deadline. As well as, a lesson schedule to be reviewed and confirmed/adjusted depending on the response. Also, have the required documents in-hand because photos or scans of the documents need to be reviewed to verify that the student meets the state requirements. If you miss the deadline, then you will lose your spot!
Step 3: After the school has received the contract, required documents, and a schedule is confirmed, then a Square Invoice will be sent to your email with a due date set for the first day of your driving schedule.
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.