2011-2012 Driver Ed Info

Attention 10th grade students and parents:

The state of Virginia requires all 10th grade students and their parent/guardian to attend a 90-minute traffic safety program as part of the classroom driver education instruction. This requirement began in the 2010-2011 school year and must be met before a student will receive a Driver Education Certificate of Completion (DEC-1 card).

The dates for the program offered at Madison HS are:

Monday, September 19, 2011

Monday, December 5, 2011

Monday, February 6, 2012

Monday, April 16, 2012

Monday, May 21, 2012

All programs will be in the JMHS auditorium starting at 7:00pm. Doors will open at 6:30pm and the doors will close promptly at 7:00 pm. Once the doors are shut, no one will be admitted. If you are unable to attend at this time, additional program dates and locations can be found on the Fairfax County Public Schools website.

You are strongly encouraged to mark your calendar now and plan to attend. You may attend any session -- preferably before or during the quarter your child has their classroom driver education instruction. If you have any questions, please contact Craig Chasse at 703-319-2493.

Please be aware of the following procedures that have been established to fulfill the requirements of the new law:
• Student must attend with their parent/guardian.
• Parent/guardian is required to show valid driver’s license or state issued identification number.
• Attendance for FULL 90 minutes is required.
• Proper completion of the registration form required (received at the session).
• Program must be completed during the year student is enrolled in Grade 10 HPE.
• No fees are charged to FCPS students currently enrolled in Grade 10 HPE.

Note: this is a requirement for current FCPS 10th and 11th grade students. Most 11th grade students went to this last year and do not need to go again. 11th grade students that did not see it last year need to sign up in advance to attend. To register by phone, please call 703-658-1201. 12th grade students that passed driver's ed before the end of the 2010 summer need not attend.

Requirements for obtaining a driver’s license in Virginia:

Apply for a learner's permit at a local DMV office once you are at least 15 years and 6 months old.
Pass the sign, knowledge and vision tests at the DMV. Sample exams are available here.
Complete a state-approved driver's education program. Steps 1 & 2 can be done before or after getting a permit (except for behind-the-wheel part which must be done after, or in conjunction with, the classroom part).

36 hours of classroom instruction
Attend a 90 minute partners for safe teen driver class
Obtain a Driver Education Certificate of Completion (DEC-1 card) after completing
14 hours of behind the wheel

Log 45 hours of driving practice with a parent or guardian. 15 hours must be at night.
Hold a learner's permit for at least nine months.
Pass the driver road test (usually done in the behind-the wheel class near the end of the 9 months, but can be done earlier or later than that), which earns the driver a provisional license. If they have held their permit for 9 months, then they receive a paper copy; if not, they get it later.
Receive a driver's license at the licensing ceremony.