Driver Education-Related Legislation
Virginia's commitment to student well-being is reflected in its educational mandates.
Pursuant to § 22.1-205. Driver Education Programs, the Board of Education shall establish for the public school system a standardized program of driver education in the safe operation of motor vehicles. Such program shall consist of classroom training and behind-the-wheel driver training. However, any student who participates in such a program of driver education shall meet the academic requirements established by the Board, and no student in a course shall be permitted to operate a motor vehicle without a license or other document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles under Chapter 3 (§ 46.2-300 et seq.) of Title 46.2, or the comparable law of another jurisdiction, authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle upon the highways.
The 2024 Virginia General assembly passed legislation that goes into effect July 1, 2025. HB2213 strongly encourages each school board to offer as part of its program of driver education behind-the-wheel training either during school hours or before or after school hours, including on weekends, in recognition of the fact that behind-the-wheel training is an essential school-to-work skill and a vital step in the pathway to obtaining a driver's license and cultivating well-educated teen drivers.
The 2022 Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that went into effect July 1, 2022, adding a new parent component to classroom driver education. According to the Virginia Department of Education, Senate Bill 78 requires all approved public, private, and commercial driver training schools to add a 90-minute parent/student component to the classroom driver education curriculum.
As required by § 22.1-205.1 of the Code of Virginia, any public high school student who applies to park a vehicle on school property must provide evidence that the student possesses a valid driver’s license or driver privilege card. It also requires that each public school utilize a standard application form, developed by the Virginia Department of Education, for students to use to obtain a pass to park a vehicle on school property.