Frequently asked questions
In Virginia, you must be 15 years and 6 months old to be eligible for a Learner’s Permit.
Yes. You can begin taking your Driver’s Ed course before you receive your Learner’s Permit.
Completing Driver’s Ed first will actually help you with the Learner’s Permit test at the DMV.
Additionally, we offer a Learner’s Permit Prep class that will help you prepare as well.
You must be 16 years and 3 months old, and have had a Learner’s Permit for a minimum of 9 months before you are eligible to receive a Driver’s License.
If you’re over the age of 18, you have two options. First, you can take the road test at the DMV if you’ve had your Learner’s Permit for a minimum of 60 days. Secondly, as long as you have completed a Driver’s Education course, you can waive the 60 day waiting period by completing 14 periods of Behind the Wheel with us
If you are a Virginia resident under 18 years old, before you can get your driver's license, you must hold your Virginia learner's permit for at least nine months and complete a Commonwealth of Virginia-approved driver education program.
If you are a Virginia resident UNDER 18 years old and you move to Virginia from another U.S. state or territory with a valid learner’s permit, the time you held your learner's permit will be counted toward the Virginia minimum holding period.
As Virginia follows a “graduated” licensing scale, generally the steps for earning your license in Virginia are:
Receiving your Learner’s Permit
Completing Driver’s Education
Completing Behind the Wheel
In short, Behind the Wheel is an in-car instruction based program designed to teach students to safely navigate today’s roads.
As required by the Virginia DMV, Behind the Wheel consists of fourteen (14) periods of instruction.
Seven (7) of these periods are observation, where you observe others driving.
Seven (7) of these periods are driving, where you physically drive while others observe you.
During the process, you’re performance is critiqued and recorded by a licensed instructor. They will provide you with constant feedback, tips and techniques to help build your confidence and develop safe driving skills.
Cell Phone Restrictions: if you're under 18, you cannot drive while using a cellular telephone or other wireless communication device.
Curfews: if you're under 18 and hold a learners permit or drivers license, you cannot drive between midnight and 4 a.m. If you have a license, you may drive during these hours only:
In 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 as a volunteer firefighter or rescue squad personnel
Passenger Restrictions: if you're under 18, you may not carry more than one passenger under 18 for the first year after receiving your drivers license. Passenger restrictions do not apply to family members. After you have held your license for one year, you may carry only three passengers under 18 until you turn 18.
Violations of either the curfew or passenger restrictions can result in the suspension of your drivers license.
The road test will be given on the last day of road instruction. When the student meets all requirements, they will be given a temporary license by their road instructor. DMV will then send a date and time for the student and parent to appear in court to receive the permanent license.
We sure do. Private Lessons are one of our most popular services, for drivers of all ages.
Our instructors work with students to provide the basics and help develop their safe driving skills, prior to completing Behind the Wheel or taking a road test at the DMV.
Yes, you certainly can. For those that have failed their road test at the DMV three times and are currently enrolled in our in-car re-examination course, you can use our school’s car for your next road test after you’ve completed the class.
Under 18: You will receive a notice that tells you when to appear in court for a licensing ceremony where you will receive your permanent drivers license. You must appear before the judge with a parent or legal guardian to receive your license.
18 or older: You can take your road test at the DMV as long as you have held your learners permit for atleast 60. OR you can do the Waiver course which allows you to by pass the 60 day holding period and additionally you take your your road test with us and no longer at the DMV. learn more.
