Teen Behind-the-Wheel Course

Teen License Course Information

About the Teen Behind-the-Wheel Course

The Teen Behind-the-Wheel Course is to verify that an individual under age 18 can demonstrate proficiency in driving maneuvers and is prepared for a driver's license. The course consists of 14 50-minute periods with a driver training school instructor as required by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. These 14 periods are broken up into 7 days of 1 hour and 40 minute sessions (50 minutes of driving and 50 minutes of observing). As required by the state of Virginia, students must complete this course with at least one other student driver in the vehicle.

45-Hour Driving Log Requirement

To obtain a driver's license in Virginia, teens under age 18 must complete 45 hours of guided practice, at least 15 of which were after sunset. Since students are graded on their driving skills, a teen will not be eligible for this course or a driver's license without a completed 45-hour driving log.

Parent or Guardian will be required to sign the teen's 180-day temporary driver's license stating that the teen completed the requirement of 45 hours of driving prior to enrolling in the Teen Behind-the-Wheel Course. Falsifying information to obtain a driver's license is illegal. Anyone who certifies to a false statement may be prosecuted. DMV will not issue, for a period of one year, a driver's license when a person has made a willful material false statement on any application for a driver's license.

The 180-Day Temporary Driver's License

The course completion certificate (Virginia Driver Training Certificate) that the student receives after passing the road skills test is a valid 180-day temporary driver's license when accompanied by a valid Virginia learner's permit. A permit must have possessed the learner's permit for at least 9 months and be at least 16 years and 3 months old to use the 180-day temporary driver's license.

Teens under age 18 do not need to visit their local DMV for the permanent driver's license to be issued. The driver training school send the DMV copy of the course completion certificate by USPS to the Driver's License and ID Card Work Center in Richmond. Within the 180-day period, you will receive a notice from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court that serves the student's zip code that will tell you when to appear in court for a licensing ceremony. During this ceremony, your teen will receive their driver's license. You must be accompanied by a parent, custodial parent, or legal guardian when receiving a permanent first-time driver's license.

It is very important that DMV has the student's correct home address. The driver training school cannot make address changes.

Course Requirements; No Exceptions

Possess a Virginia learner's permit

Complete 45 hours of guided practice, at least 15 of which were after sunset, with a parent or mentor.

Complete a Virginia-approved Driver Education classroom or online course.

Williamsburg-James City County students must complete the 90-Minute Parent/Teen Component of Driver Education.

Frequent questions

Is this course required for home-schooled students?

If you are an approved home schooler, driver education can be taught at home. The student must currently be enrolled in a home-schooled program approved by your school division superintendent.

Visit the Virginia DMV website >>> Driver Education Information for Home Schoolers for full details.

What is the pricing for the Teen Behind-the-Wheel Course?

Pricing can be found by clicking the button below.

Price List

What is the course refund policy?

A full refund will be provided upon request only if the school is incapable of or unwilling to perform its part of the contract within 90 days of the first scheduled appointment. The school cannot be held responsible for delays caused by mechanical failure, unsafe driving conditions due to weather, or any other reason over which it has no control.

A partial refund will be provided upon request if services have already been rendered.

No refund will be issued for failing a course or missing instruction periods repeatedly.

How do I enroll?

Enrollment is limited and students are enrolled on a first come, first served basis. Register as early as possible to reserve a seat in the course.

To reserve a seat in the course, we will need a registration form submitted, a student driver contract signed and we will need to view your documents for the course to verify that you meet the requirements.

We do our best to arrange the closest time available for your behind-the-wheel course. However, majority of our students are teens in high school and college and the late afternoon appointment times go first and therefore, will have a longer waiting period.

We are flexible with student schedules and therefore, do not have set course dates like the school system. During the school year, afternoon instruction periods after 2:00 pm are our busiest. Wait periods could be as long as 4 to 6 weeks.

Summer time allows for a more flexible schedule since many students are out of school. Appointments could be early morning or afternoon depending on availability. Summer time is the busiest time of the year for us. Wait periods could be 6 weeks or longer.