• Must be at least 15 years and 6 months old

• Must complete a two-part exam

  • Signs: 10 signs, must score 100%
  • Knowledge: 25 questions, must score 80%
  • The exam is available in multiple languages
  • Offered at most high schools
  Register to take the Learner's Permit Test
• Must pass a vision test
• Documents proving residency and legal presence are presented to DMV
• Must have a learner’s permit for a minimum of 9 months for licensing

Classroom Driver Education includes 30 hours of instruction

Topics include

• Virginia traffic laws
• Vehicle operating procedures
• Management of visibility, time, and space when driving
• Characteristics of different driving environments
• Effects of drugs, alcohol, and fatigue on driving
• Use of occupant protection features such as seatbelts and airbags
• Sharing the roadway with other users including pedestrians, school buses, bicycles, emergency vehicles
• Financial responsibilities of vehicle ownership

Students must attend a 90-minute parent-teen traffic safety program: Partners for Safe Teen Driving.

• Occurs in the evening as part of grade 10 classroom driver education
• Additional sessions are offered through ACE

A Driver Education Certificate of Completion (DEC-District 8/pink card) is issued after passing classroom driver education. This includes

• a summative assessment.
• and attending Partners for Safe Teen Driving.

Classes meet for 7 days.

Eligibility

• Must have a learner’s permit
• Must have a DEC-District 8 card or be able to present a concurrent enrollment form prior to the first behind-the-wheel class

Lessons Cover

• Basic vehicle control skills
• Driving in residential, rural, city, and freeway (where available) setting
• Administration of the Virginia Road Skills Evaluation is included

• Must be completed with a licensed driver
  • The licensed driver must be 18 or older if they are a family member
  • The licensed driver must be 21 or older if they are not a family member
• 15 hours must be driven after sunset

• Issued after all juvenile licensing requirements are met
• Valid for 180 days
• Within 180 days, the student will receive notification to attend the licensing ceremony in Juvenile and Domestic Court

• Parent or guardian and student must attend the licensing ceremony.
• Must be on time and dressed appropriately for court.
• License is issued and given to the parent or guardian. The parent or guardian determines when the child can drive unsupervised.

• Curriculum and Administrative Guide for Driver Education
• DMV Manual  (PDF)
• 45-hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide 
• AAA Home Page
• Advocates for Driver and Highway Safety
• Insurance Institute for Highway
• Kelley Blue Book
• MADD ON-LINE
• NHTSA - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• U.S. Department of Transportation
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
• Keys2Drive
• Teaching Teens About Auto Safety