School-taught instruction typically costs several hundred dollars per student. Parent-taught instruction is free. Contact local schools and programs for specific information on costs, discounts, etc.

You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old and have completed the classroom component of the driver education course.

If you are 18 years old or older, you are not legally required to take the in-car/behind-the-wheel component. However, you may take a state-approved driver education course to waive the 60-day learner’s permit and DMV road skills test requirements.

Before taking this course, you must first:

• Obtain a valid learner’s permit
• Complete the classroom component of driver education
• Complete the 90 minute Partners for Safe Teen Driving component (if required by your district)

Many families prefer to complete the in-car/behind-the-wheel component before undertaking the 45 hours of additional driving. However, many driver training schools are now recommending that at least some, if not most, of the 45 hours be completed before the in-car component.

Parents who choose to teach their children in-car/behind-the-wheel training must meet certain qualifications:

• Must hold a valid Virginia driver’s license
• Must have accumulated no more than six demerit points in the last 12 months
• Must not have been convicted of driving while intoxicated in the past 11 years
• Must not ever have been convicted of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter
• Must maintain proper vehicle insurance

Parents must also submit Form HS-1 to the Department of Motor Vehicles, granting consent to the DMV to review and monitor the parent’s driving record until the student successfully completes the DMV road skills test. Along with Form HS-1, the parents must submit:

• proof that their child has completed the classroom component of driver education
• a copy of the letter from their school division documenting receipt of the Notice of Intent or Religious Exemption paperwork
• proof of completion of the Partners for Safe Teen Driving program (if applicable for your district)

Parents must use an in-car instruction program that is approved by the Virginia Board of Education and is in compliance with the Virginia Standards of Learning. Currently, there is only one such program: the Curriculum Scope and Sequence Modules for Driver Education in Virginia: Module Eleven.

This 43-page curriculum, created by the Virginia Department of Education in cooperation with DMV, is the same as the one used in Virginia public schools and driver training schools, and is free to anyone with Internet and printer access. The Module Eleven program requires 7 hours of driving and 7 hours of observing another student driving. If no other student is available, the student may observe the parent driving to fulfill the observational requirement. Students must also complete at least 45 hours of driving time, 15 of which must occur after sunset.

Unlike the school-taught in-car/behind-the-wheel courses, parent instructors cannot administer the road skills test to their students. After completing the in-car training and the 45 additional hours of driving time, the student will take the road skills test at their local DMV.