VIRGINIA  DRIVER’S EDUCATION

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Virginia has a Graduated Licensing Law. This means there is a two-stage process for a minor to get his or her driver license: you must apply for an instruction permit before you can apply for a driver license.

 

To qualify for a Virginia license, you must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia and at least 16 years and 3 months old.  You must be at least 15½ years old to obtain a learner’s permit.  If you are under the age of 18, you must provide written consent from one of your parents or your legal guardian, unless you are married or emancipated. If you are under age 19, you must complete a state-approved driver education program.

 

Step 1: Purchase our driver education course for parent-taught driver education

Step 2: Study for the DMV written exam

Step 3: Get your Learner's Permit

Step 4: Obtain authorization from the DMV for home-school driver education

Step 5: Begin your behind-the-wheel training

Step 6: Go to the DMV for your final road skills test

Step 7: Remember the curfew laws and passenger restrictions

 

 

Step 1: Purchase our driver education course for parent-taught driver education

 

If you are a home-school student in Virginia, you may complete a parent-taught driver education course. Our driver education course is approved by the Virginia DMV.

 

Step 2: Study for the DMV written exam

You will need to study for the DMV written exam by reading through the DMV Virginia Driver's Manual.  It is important that you know all the rules and regulations of driving before taking the written test, so read carefully!

Step 3: Get your Learner's Permit

 

You may get a learner’s permit when you reach 15 years and 6 months of age.  When you apply for a learner’s permit, you will also complete the application process for your driver’s license and pay the fees for both the permit and license.  You will be required to pass the two-part knowledge exam and a vision screening.

 

The permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated beside you.  The driver accompanying you may be 18 years of age if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother, or step-sister.  The driver accompanying you must hold a valid driver’s license, be alert and able to assist you, and be legally permitted to drive.

 

If you are under age 19, you must hold the learner’s permit for at least nine months or until you turn age 19 before you can receive a driver's license. 

 

Step 4: Obtain authorization from the DMV for home-school driver education

 

Your parent or legal guardian must obtain prior authorization from DMV by completing a “Home-Schooled In-Car Driver Education Parental Authorization Application” form (HS-1). A separate form must be submitted for each child who must be under 18 years of age. You must attach a letter from the school division superintendent or designee documenting approval to provide home instruction. Enclose as proof of completion of the classroom portion of the Driver Education program a Certificate from an approved correspondence course.  A photocopy will not be accepted.

 

Complete, sign and mail the form to:

            Department of Motor Vehicles

            Commercial Licensing Work Center

            P.O. Box 27412

            Richmond, VA  23269-0001

 

To qualify for parent-taught driver education, your parent or legal guardian must:

  • Hold a valid Virginia driver’s license.
  • Have an accumulation of no more than six demerit points in the last 12 months.
  • Not have been convicted of driving while intoxicated in violation of Virginia law or a substantially similar law in another state in the last 11 years.
  • Not have been convicted of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter in violation of Virginia law or a substantially similar law in another state in the last 11 years.
  • Grant consent to the DMV to review and monitor parent’s/guardian’s driving record throughout the authorization period and until the student successfully completes the DMV road skills test.
  • Maintain proper vehicle insurance as required by the Virginia Code.

Step 5: Begin your behind-the-wheel training

 

Our driver education course will lead you and your parent or guardian through the behind-the-wheel portion of your driver education.  The Virginia DMV requires at least 40 hours of driving time, 10 hours of which must occur after sunset.

 

Within 5 working days of receipt of the HS-1, DMV will mail you a “Letter of Authorization” to provide in-car instruction to the home-schooled minor.  After receiving the “Letter of Authorization,” you must complete:

  • 7 periods (50 minutes each) of driving (at least 50 miles)
  • 7 periods (50 minutes each) of observation

No more than 2 periods of instruction may be given in any 24-hour period (1 period of driving and 1 period of observing).

 

Step 6: Go to the DMV for your final road skills test

 

Upon the completion of the student’s in-car training, present the “Letter of Authorization” at a DMV Customer Service Center.  DMV will administer the final road skills test.

 

You must have held a learner’s permit at least 9 months and be at least 16 years and 3 months old.

 

Upon successful completion of the road skills test, DMV will issue a “Virginia Home-Schooled In-Car Driver Education Certificate” form (HS-2).  When accompanied by a valid Virginia Learner’s Permit, the HS-2 will serve as a Driver’s License.

 

The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in your jurisdiction will notify the parent/guardian and minor to attend the licensing ceremony at which time the permanent license is presented.

 

Step 7: Remember the curfew laws and passenger restrictions

 

Virginia's curfew laws prohibit drivers under age 18 who hold a learner’s permit or driver’s license from driving from midnight to 4 amIf you hold a driver’s license you may drive during these hours: in case of an emergency; when traveling to and from work or a school-sponsored event; when accompanied by a parent or other adult acting in place of a parent; when responding to an emergency call by volunteer firefighter and rescue squad personnel.

 

If you are under the age of 18, you may carry only one passenger during the first year that you hold your driver’s license.  After you have held your license for one year, you may carry only three passengers until you reach age 18.  Learner’s permit holders may not carry more than one passenger under age 18.  Passenger restrictions do not apply to family members.  

 

Violation of either the passenger or curfew restrictions can result in the suspension of your driver’s license.