Driver Education

The Communication to Parents contains information regarding the new Virginia Department of Education grading policy for Driver Education.

Licensing Process

In the state of Virginia, students do not have to be enrolled in Driver Education to obtain a Learner's Permit; they need to be 15 and a half years old.

Links and Resources

Register for Learner's Permit Test

Interactive Driver's License Study Guide for Learner's Permit Test

Virginia Driver's Manual

Virginia 45-Hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide

Road Skills Evaluation checklist

Licensing Process Flowchart

In order to take Behind the Wheel (BTW) through FCPS, you must be currently enrolled or have completed classroom Driver Education and have a valid Virginia Learner's Permit.  If a student is currently enrolled in classroom Driver Education, permission is required from the classroom teacher before taking BTW.  The DEC-District 8 (Pink Card) is obtained by completing classroom Driver Education and attending the Partners for Safe Teen Driving assembly. Once received by the student, the DEC-District 8 card is submitted to the Behind the Wheel instructor, along with the 45-hour driving log (if completed). Students must hold the Virginia Learner’s Permit for 9 months to obtain a Temporary Drivers License (TDL).  After receiving the TDL, which is valid for 6-months, the student will then receive a court date via U.S. mail informing them of the location, date, and time to go to court to receive their permanent Driver's License.

licensing process flowchart

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Assembly 2022-2023 

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be offering 4 evening traffic safety programs (pdf) throughout the school year as part of new compulsory attendance requirements for new drivers. The dates for the mandatory 90-minute traffic safety program have been set (see below). This requirement must be met before a student can receive a Driver Education Certificate of Completion which is commonly known as a DEC-1 card.

Please note: This assembly is only for current Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Freshmen may not attend. One parent or guardian must attend with each student.  

Assembly Dates for the 2022-2023 School Year

  • Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022
  • Monday, Jan. 9, 2023
  • Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023
  • Tuesday, May 2, 2023

*No sign-up required. Event will take place 7-8:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Dates subject to change. Please check this page frequently for updates.

How to Register for Behind the Wheel

There are two ways you can register for Behind the Wheel. You only need to do one:

  1. Online through ACE
    • Click on Driver Education on left side
    • Click on Behind the Wheel Driver Education
  2. In Person or Call Ace Registration for hours and directions: 703-506-2284

Questions?

Contact David Arthur ([email protected]) for any questions or concerns.

Web content created by Heidi Smith, retired Driver Education teacher, for TJHSST.