Graduated Licensing Program for a Juvenile Driver's License

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Virginia has a graduated driver's licensing program, in which individuals under age 18 must complete a number of steps to become eligible for earning their driver's license. Please contact us at info@topnotchdriving.net or call the office at 757-926-5956 if you have any questions.

• The individual must be a minimum age of 15 years and 6 months old to attempt the DMV knowledge exam for a learner's permit.

• Once the learner's permit is received, it must be held a minimum of 9 months from the issue date.

• During the 9-month period, the teen can complete a 36-period (30-hour) driver education class with their high school or with a driving school.

• The teen should also begin driving practice with a parent or other trusted, licensed adult. The state requires a minimum of 45 hours with 15 hours after sunset.

• The last step is for the teen to complete a behind-the-wheel class with their school district (if they offer it) or with a driving school. Once completed, the teen is now eligible to receive their license. If the teen has met the 9-month waiting period, then the license will be issued to the parent. If the 9-month waiting period has not been met, then the license will be held at our office until the date for use has arrived.

The driver education program has two (2) mandatory classes that must be completed. They are a state requirement and cannot be bypassed. You are required to complete a 36-period (36-hour) driver education class followed by the 14-period behind-the-wheel class.

It is a minimum 36-period class (30 hours) and includes 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 as required by law.

If you have previously taken this class at a high school or at another driving school, then you only have to submit the certificate for behind-the-wheel enrollment. If you have never taken this class or if you are unable to get a certificate (transcripts are not accepted) to prove you completed this class, then you must take it with a driving school. Information and pricing for our online course can be found on the page "Online Driver Education" (click the link to be redirected).

It is a mandatory 14 periods of in-car instruction. The class is divided into 7 days, and each day is 50 minutes of driving and 50 minutes of observing another student. The state requires the observation period. You may not take this class independently.

The road test is administered by the instructor during the final (7th) driving period. The road test given by Top Notch Driving School is the same as the road test given by the DMV, it is not easier. You will not be passed automatically because you paid money for the program. The same testing rules apply to you when taking the road test with the school as they would if being administered by the DMV.

Teen Behind-the-Wheel = $270

We only provide pick-up and drop-off for: Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, and Poquoson. If you are from a different city, then you will be required to meet the instructor at the office for each session.

The school/instructor sets the session schedules for each behind-the-wheel class. We then add you to the session that matches your availability. If we have no sessions that match your availability, then we will notify you to discuss the next steps.

During Daylight Saving Time (DST), the last driving session ends between 7:00 and 7:30 pm. When DST ends, the last driving appointment finishes at approximately 6:00 pm (depends on the day and the instructor's availability).