This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!

Q. In order to teach the behind-the-wheel portion of driver education, I must show completion of an “approved correspondence course.” Which courses are “approved,” and where can I find them?

A. Getting a driver’s license for a teen can seem daunting, especially when looking at the forms, finding an approved course, and trying to follow the proper steps.

There are three basic steps for a teen to obtain a driver’s license:

1) Obtain a learner’s permit by passing a DMV vision-screening test and a two-part knowledge test,

2) Complete an approved classroom course and a behind-the-wheel driving course, and

3) Obtain a permanent driver’s license.

In order for a parent to teach their homeschooled teen the classroom and behind-the-wheel portions, the homeschooled student must currently be enrolled in a homeschool program acknowledged by the division superintendent.

All teens may take the classroom and behind-the-wheel portions of driver education at a public school, a private school, or a commercial driver-training school on a space-available basis. However, if a student is homeschooled, the homeschool parent may teach the classroom and behind-the wheel portions. In this situation, the parent may choose one of four approved classroom courses. There is only one approved parent-taught behind-the-wheel course.

The following four classroom driver-education courses have been approved by the DOE for homeschooled students:

• DriversEd.com
  Attn: Virginia Home Study Course
  436 14th Street, Suite 420
  Oakland, CA 94612
  1-888-651-2886
  www.DriversEd.com

• I Drive Safely
  294 LaMoree Road
  San Marcos, CA 92078
  1-800-723-1955
  www.idrivesafely.com

• National Driver Training Institute
  4432 Austin Bluffs Parkway
  Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918-2934
  1-800-942-2050
  www.usdrivertraining.com/

• VADETS OnLine Driver Education Course
  Virginia Association of Driver Education and Traffic Safety
  A non-profit Virginia association for driver education teachers
  (804) 512-0101
  http://vadriveredu.org/login/index.php

After completion of the classroom portion, homeschool parents who want to teach behind-the-wheel must use the only approved course: Module 11 – Behind-the-Wheel and In-Car Observation.

Links to the appropriate DMV forms, the cost, and more details can be found at the HEAV website here. Please call our office at 804-278-9200 if I can further help you.

With regards,

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