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 and evening classes are 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Students must pass the classroom phase and the eye test before being eligible for the driving phase. Students who fail the eye test will be given a form and must have their eyes checked by a vision specialist. Once that form is completed, the student will return the form to the coordinator at the school they attend.
    • 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, write down the following:
      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 all portions of Driver Education they will receive their “Driver Ed certificate”. Once the student is at least 15 years old, they are ready to go to the DMV. At this time, students should go to their school and request a “Certificate of Eligibility”. This form expires 30 days after the date it is issued by the school. Students should request the certificate 2-3 days prior to going to DMV. In order to receive the "Certificate of Eligibility" the student must have acceptable grades, attendance and behavior.

    GOING TO THE DMV

    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.