Parent Resources
Parents play a critical role in shaping safe, responsible drivers. These parent resources were created to help families actively support their teen’s driver education journey—from supervising practice sessions to understanding licensing requirements. Research shows that in order for teens to remain collision-free, parents must model safe driving behaviors and invest in meaningful guided practice over a long period of time to turn safe driving skills into good driving habits.
Resources
As required by §22.1-205 of the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Board of Education has established a standardized program of driver education for public, private, and commercial schools. The Driver Education Standards of Learning for Driver Education in Virginia prescribe the content and administrative requirements of a state-approved driver education program.
The Curriculum and Administrative Guide for Driver Education is broken down into modules for downloading purposes. The files are relatively large. Please be patient as the files download.
- Curriculum and Administrative Guide for Driver Education in Virginia
- Module 13 - Curriculum Guide for Behind-the-Wheel In Car Instruction
- Module 13a - In Car Accommodations for Students with Special Needs
The 45-hour parent/teen driving guide provides sample lessons and coaching tips to help you guide your child in making this step to adulthood more successful for both of you.
- 45 Hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide (PDF)
- Parent Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
- Distractions Venn Diagram (PDF)
- Commentary Driving Activity (PDF)
- Intersection (5 light cycles) Activity (PDF)
- Blind Zone ID Activity (PDF)
- SeeIT Scenarios (PDF)
- What would you do (PDF)
- Auto Insurance Questions (PDF)
- Commentary Driving (PDF)
- List of Safety Features (PDF)
- Nearest Expressways (PDF)
- Open_Closed Spaces Activity (PDF)
- Planning a Road Trip (PDF)
To obtain a driver’s license in Virginia, your child must be at least 16 years and 3 months old; practice driving with a learner’s permit for at least nine months; complete 45 hours of guided practice, at least 15 of which were after sunset; and successfully complete a state-approved classroom and in-car driver education program.
- Certificate of Enrollment Form (PDF)
- Juvenile Licensing Process (Word)
The in-car teacher/instructor will administer the road skills test. If your child successfully passes the road skills test, meets all licensing requirements, and the parent grants the school permission, the in-car teacher/instructor will issue a 180-Day Temporary Provisional Driver’s License to your child, which is a valid Virginia driver’s license when accompanied by a learner’s permit.
- In-Car Maneuvers Observation Record (PDF)
- Road Skills Evaluation (PDF)
- Certification of In-Car Instruction (PDF)
- Parent/Guardian Form Granting the School Permission to Issue Their Child a 180-Day Provisional Driver's License (PDF)
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.
- Partners for Safe Teen Driving: 90-Minute Parent/Guardian and Teen Component
- Parent Opt-Out Form for the 90-Minute Parent/Teen Meeting (PDF)
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.