Price Changes are Effective for New Applicants Beginning March 1, 2021

Top Notch Driving Schools Inc

757-926-5956

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    • About
      • About Top Notch
      • FAQs
    • Classroom
      • Class Schedule
      • Driver Improvement
      • 3 Exam Failures
      • Instructor Certification
    • Driving Courses
      • Driving Lessons
      • Teen License
      • Adult Waiver
    • Online Courses
      • Online Driver Education
      • Online Driver Improvement
    • Contact
Top Notch Driving Schools Inc

757-926-5956

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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.

Driver Education Program For Teens

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Virginia's Driver Education Program

The program consists of two (2) classes. Both classes must be completed to take the road test and earn a driver's license from a driver training school.


Any Virginia resident under age 18, must hold a learner's permit for at least nine (9) months and complete this program to be eligible for a driver's license.

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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.

If You Need to Complete Driver Education Click here
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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 and no more than 3 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, students will have their driver's license issued. If the student's eligibility date for use of the license is more than a month away, then parents' can ask that the driving school hold the license until the eligibility date is closer.

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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.


Additionally, you must complete 45 hours of guided driving practice with a parent or mentor prior to enrolling in behind-the-wheel. A parent or guardian must sign your driver's license stating that this state requirement has been met.

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Parents' Corner

We have provided answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions, give us a call at 757-926-5956 or email us at info@topnotchdriving.net.

Parents' Corner

How The Behind-the-Wheel 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, DTS 36 (driver education certificate), or DTS C (if the 36 fifty-minute periods of classroom instruction was completed)
  • A driving log with at least 30 hours completed (45 hours are required for the issuance of the driver's license)
  • 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 180-day provisional driver's license.


The temporary driver's license is your Driver Training Program certificate of completion. The blue copy "STUDENT COPY" MUST be held with your learner's permit to be recognized as a valid driver's license. The school will mail the yellow copy "DMV COPY" to the License Work Center in Richmond for processing. The processing of the driver's license could take up to 90 days. Your local court will mail a notice for a juvenile licensing ceremony and that is when you will receive the hard copy of your driver's license. For this reason, make sure the DMV has your correct mailing address so that you do not miss your licensing ceremony.

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Behind-the-Wheel Fee

Teen Behind-the-Wheel

Only for Hampton, Newport News, Yorktown, Seaford, and Poquoson Pick-up.

Teen Behind-the-Wheel for a Driver's License

$250

7 days of driving for 50 minutes and a road skills test to earn a provisional driver's license. These are NOT driving lessons. You have to already be an experienced driver. This is an assessment course of your driving skills.

Prices are subject to change without notice

Enroll in Behind-the-Wheel

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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.


***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.

Apply Here

Virginia's Graduated Licensing Process

1) Learner's Permit

1) Learner's Permit

1) Learner's Permit

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  • Study the Virginia Driver's Manual


  • Take the permit test at DMV


  • Must be at least 15 years and 6 months old

2) Driver Education

1) Learner's Permit

1) Learner's Permit

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  • 30 hours of coursework (classroom or online)


  • 90-Minute Parent/Teen Component for some localities and school divisions


  • Practice driving during this time with parents

3) Behind-the-Wheel

1) Learner's Permit

4) Provisional License

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  • 14 sessions of behind-the-wheel


  • 2 sessions per day


  • Half driving and half observing


  • Must have 45 hours of driving practice completed

4) Provisional License

4) Provisional License

4) Provisional License

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  • Must have held permit for 9 months


  • Must be at least 16 years and 3 months old


  • Issued when all requirements are met


  • Provisional license valid for 6 months

5) Permanent License

4) Provisional License

5) Permanent License

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  • A letter from your local court will notify you of your licensing ceremony date


  • Must attend licensing ceremony

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