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Considering Homeschooling?
Considering Homeschooling?
The In-Car/Behind-the-Wheel Component
All Virginia teens under the age of 18 who wish to earn a driver’s license must take a driver education course which has been approved by the Virginia Department of Education and adheres to the Standards of Learning for driver education. This includes a 36 classroom period “classroom component” and a 14 hour “in-car” or “behind-the-wheel” component. The two components are often offered separately and may be taken from separate providers.
The purpose of the “behind-the-wheel” component of the course is to provide 14 hours of in-car instruction to the teen driver: 7 periods of driving and 7 periods of observation. This component may also include the required road skills test for obtaining a driver’s license.
Possible Options for Fulfilling this Requirement Include:
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Parent-taught instruction IF you are currently homeschooling
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A local public school (through part-time enrollment, after school programs, adult education programs, or summer school)
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A local private school (through part-time enrollment or after school programming)
Availability of some of these options may vary depending on location. Public schools and private schools are not required to make driver education courses available to homeschooled students.
School-taught in-car/behind-the-wheel courses include the road skills test. After you pass the road skills test, your driving instructor is responsible for collecting all the required paperwork, awarding a 6-month temporary license, and sending paperwork to the DMV. You will not need to visit the DMV.
Parent-taught in-car/behind the wheel courses do not include the road skills test. Once the component is completed and all other requirements are completed, the student will take the road skills test at the DMV. The DMV will then collect all required paperwork and award a 3-month temporary license.
Teens under the age of 18 who are homeschool graduates are still required to take the in-car/behind-the-wheel component, but are not allowed to be instructed by a parent. These teens must take the in-car/behind-the-wheel component through a local public school, private school, or driver training school.
VaHomeschoolers Driver Education Pages:
This information is provided as a courtesy of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers. It is not intended as legal advice. For legal advice, contact a licensed attorney.
VaHomeschoolers is a non-profit public charity with 501(c)(3) status; your donation is tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.