How old do I need to be to take Driver Education?
You must be 14 ½ years of age on the first day of class for the required 30-hour classroom portion.

To take driver education with Durham Public Schools – a student must be in one of the following categories:

• Attend a Durham Public School
• Attend a private school located in Durham
• Attend a Charter school located in Durham
• Attend a registered “home” school located in Durham

Home school students who are selected for a class must bring an Official Non-Public Registration Record on the first day of class to be admitted!

Students may obtain this by calling the below phone number:
North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education
919-733-4276

Classroom Phase – 30 hours
During the regular school year, the classroom phase is held after school hours.  Depending on which high school you are attending, the classes are usually from 6:30 – 8:30 am for 15 school days, or from 4:15 – 6:15 p.m. after school.  Students must pass 30 hours of classroom instruction and the DMV eye test before being eligible for the driving phase.  Students who fail the DMV eye test will be given a form by the DMV examiner and must have their eyes checked by a vision specialist.

Complete eye examination forms must be returned to the Driver Education Coordinator of the school where the driver education class was offered!

Driving Phase – 6 hours of instruction
Students must pass the 6-hour driving phase called behind-the-wheel in order to receive a Driver Education Completion Certificate.  Students who fail the classroom and/or the driving phase will not be allowed to enroll through the school system.

Each driving instructor determines his/her own driving schedule and will contact the student to establish a driving time. Students are usually paired up with another student during the driving phase. Oldest students are scheduled first.

When called by the instructor, write down the following:

• Name of instructor
• A place to be picked up and dropped off
• Days and times of behind-the-wheel training

Students must provide their own transportation to and from all driving sessions.