Course Requirements & Eligibility

  • Driver Education at Durham Public Schools

    Course Requirements & Eligibility

    CLASSROOM PHASE:  30 hours of instruction

    • All Driver Education classes are virtual. During the regular school year classes are offered before and after school. Morning classes are usually 6:30am to 8:30am (6:00 am - 8:00 am for DSA and SCS) and evening classes are 5:00pm to 7:00pm. 
    • Students are not allowed any absences during this course or they will be removed from the class.

    DRIVING PHASE- 6 hours of instruction

    • After students have completed the classroom portion and the eye exam, they will be called in birth order to drive. Each driving instructor determines his/her own driving schedule and will contact the student to establish a driving time.
    • When called by the instructor, obtain the following information:
      1. Name of instructor and vehicle make, model and color.
      2. Location at the school to be picked up and dropped off.
      3. Days and times of the behind-the-wheel training.
    • Students must provide their own transportation to and from all driving sessions.

    COMPLETION OF COURSE

    • Once a student has completed the driving phase of Driver Education they will receive their Driver Education certificate from their behind-the-wheel instructor.

    GOING TO THE DMV

    Once the student is at least 15 years old, they are eligible to go to the DMV. At this time, students should go to their school and request a “Certificate of Eligibility”.  Students should request the certificate 2-3 days prior to going to DMV because it expires 30 days after the date it is issued by the school. In order to receive the Certificate of Eligibility the student must have acceptable grades, attendance and behavior.

    You must take the following with you to the DMV:

    • The Driver Education certificate.
    • The Driver Eligibility Certificate (valid for 30 days).
    • A certified copy of your birth certificate.
    • Social Security Card.
    • Proof of residency.
    • $25.50 and a parent or guardian.
    • Students who do not have a parent or guardian with a valid US license for 5 years or more must also take their supervising driver.

    ONCE AT THE DMV THE FOLLOWING WILL BE REQUIRED

    • Written test – Students must make an 80 or higher to pass. 
    • Sign test. - Students must make an 80 or higher to pass.
    • Vision test - Students need to have 20/40 corrected vision.

    If the student is not successful, they must wait at least 7 calendar days before returning to DMV to take the tests again.