Who teaches the Behind the Wheel classes?
Fairfax County Public School teachers with the driver education certification and endorsement on their teaching certificates teach all Behind the Wheel classes.
How many days must my child go to class?
Behind the Wheel classes meet for seven week days, two hours each day.
When are the classes held?
During the school year, classes are held at various times after school. In the summer months, classes start at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.; some afternoon and evening courses are available. Detailed schedules for the summer classes will be available by March 10, 2008 in high schools and adult education registration centers. View complete listing of times and locations.
Will the teacher pick up my child at my house?
No. Transportation to and from the program is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. Students depart and return from most FCPS high schools.
Where should my child meet the teacher for the class?
View the list of schools and the location where the student should meet the teacher (printer friendly).
What driving experiences will my child get in the Behind the Wheel class?
Lessons cover basic vehicle control skills and driving in residential, rural, city and interstate highway settings. Vehicle familiarization; vision and perception; vehicle motion and balance; seating position; steering; braking; accelerating; safety devices; yielding; lane position; lane changes; backing up; intersection; signs; signals and road markings; parallel, perpendicular, and angle parking; turnabouts; speed control; vehicle and driver licensing requirements; traffic flow situations; vehicle space management; multi-lane traffic management; passing and overtaking; precision vehicle maneuvers; destination driving; chemical use and abuse; responsible driving; vehicle malfunctions; collisions; driving in adverse weather conditions; insurance; roadway systems; working with other roadway users; conservation of resources.
What documentation must I bring to class?
Students must bring:
Valid Virginia Learner’s permit
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Classroom completion card or current enrollment receipt
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Online confirmation receipt or the walk-in registration form, signed by a parent/guardian
All students must have their permit with them in order to participate in any behind-the-wheel instruction. Failure to have the permit will be treated as a "no show." If the student must miss a class or needs to schedule a repeat road test, a $40 rescheduling fee will be charged. All make-up sessions must be satisfactorily completed in order to receive a certification of completion.
Does my child have to go to the DMV to take the road test?
No, the course includes administration of the DMV-approved road test.
What criteria must my child meet in order to obtain a Virginia Driver’s license?
Juvenile drivers will receive provisional licenses if they meet the following criteria:
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Are at least 16 years and 3 months old.
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Have held a learner’s permit for 9 months.
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Have successfully completed 36 hours of the classroom portion of the driver education program.
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Have successfully taken and passed the 14-hour Behind the Wheel course.
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Have provided a driving log to the Behind the Wheel instructor, with parent/guardian signature, certifying that the student has driven for 45 hours, 15 hours of which are after sunset.
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Have parent/guardian signature on the PPF-07 form certifying that the student will be properly insured on the validation date of his/her provisional license.
What are the restrictions that a juvenile driver must follow?
As a juvenile licensed driver, the child must abide by the following restrictions while operating a motor vehicle:
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For the first full year of licensure, students are restricted to one non-family passenger who is less than 18 years old. Until the driver reaches age 18, no more than three non-family passengers who are less than 18 years may be in the vehicle.
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Drivers less than 18 years old have a midnight to 4 a.m. curfew, except when driving to and from work, a school-sponsored activity, or have a parent/guardian with them in the car.
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Virginia law prohibits drivers under age 18 who hold a learner’s permit or driver’s license from using cell phones or wireless communications devices while driving, regardless of hand-held or hands-free, except in a driver emergency and the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped.
When will my child be licensed?
At the end of the class, your child will be given a 180-day Provisional Driver’s License (PDL-180), if all the Virginia licensing requirements have been met. When accompanied by a valid Virginia Learner's Permit, the PDL-180 serves as a temporary license for 6 months.
If the licensing criteria cannot be certified at the end of the Behind the Wheel class, the temporary license will be held in the Driver Education office at Edsall Park until the requirements have been met and further direction is received from the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian must call 703-658-1290 two business days prior to pick-up, in order to have his/her child’s license prepared. Pick-up of provisional licenses will be at the Central Fairfax Registration center, located at Woodson High School, entrance #8.
What if I believe that my child is not ready to drive or if I do not want him/her to be licensed when he/she is eligible?
As a parent/guardian, you have the final authority to determine if your child is capable of handling the responsibility of operating a motor vehicle without adult supervision. If you decide that your child is not ready for this responsibility, you will sign the Parent/Guardian Driver’s License Permission Form that your child will be given at the beginning of the Behind the Wheel course to deny licensing. The paperwork will be held in the Driver Education office at Edsall Park until we receive further direction from you (the parent/guardian).
When do we go to the DMV to obtain the permanent license?
You do not need to go to the DMV to receive the permanent license. In accordance with the code of Virginia, the Department of Motor Vehicles will send your child’s license to the Fairfax Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for presentation. The courthouse is located at 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. Call 703-691-7320 for directions. You will be notified through the mail as to when to attend the licensing ceremony. This notice usually is received during the last 30 days of the temporary license.
Call 703-658-1289 or 703-658-1290 for additional information.
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