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Driver Education

Driver Education Behind-the-Wheel Information

Driver Education Student Driver Sign

Behind-the-Wheel driver education runs continuously throughout the school year and is offered after school.

To be eligible to take Behind the Wheel, the student must have their Learner's Permit and successfully complete the classroom portion of driver's education.

In addition, before a student can register, the student and parent must both attend a Driver Education Student/Parent 90-Minute Meeting held throughout Prince William County.

Please note that registration for behind-the-wheel driver education is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Links

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

VADETS
This link is for students who need to complete classroom drivers education.

Contact

Amy Dignan
[email protected]

Prerequisites (Before Registering)

  1. Must have a valid Virginia Learner's Permit.
  2. Successful completion of Classroom Driver Education OR current enrollment in Patriot High School HPE 2 Driver Education with a minimum of a C average.
  3. Students should complete a minimum of 10 hours of behind-the-wheel experience with a parent/guardian in all driving environments (residential, city, highway, and expressway) before registering for instruction.

About In-Car Education

In-car driver education includes road instruction. The class is scheduled as an after-school elective program providing the required seven days (50 minutes driving, 50 minutes observation each lesson) of quality instruction needed to receive a Virginia Driver's License. Upon completion of the two phases of the course and submission of the 45-hour driving log, the student will be issued a Temporary Driver's License. This Temporary Driver's License is valid only after the student reaches the age of 16 and 3 months and after they have held a Virginia learner's permit for 9 months. All students should complete the requirements for 9th grade physical education before enrolling in the 10th grade Driver Education Program. Sessions are scheduled year round with limited availability in the summer.

Online Registration Instructions for Behind-the-Wheel

Students must have a learner's permit before registering for Behind the Wheel.

Please follow the directions below to register. We look forward to partnering with you.

Steps to Ensure Proper Registration

Before you begin the registration process, please read this entire section carefully. It’s very important that you complete every step listed. If any part is missed, your child will not be able to schedule classes, and this will delay their registration.

  1. Please visit our Patriot Behind the Wheel Website for information and forms: Patriot Behind the Wheel website.
  2. To register for the course, log in to the registration site for Behind the Wheel. Click on Register Now below Range and Road (Academic Year) / $240 (online credit payment - full payment required for Patriot). Complete the student information section. Then scroll down to Parent Information. Fill out the information for one or both parents.

  3. At the top right of the page create a username and password. Please ensure that you save your login and password for future use. Select your school. Click on Register. The screen will change to show Courses and Terms of Service. After reading the terms, click the "Agree to Terms" box. Click submit. Please only submit one registration. This will take you to your Account Ledger. It will show an outstanding balance of $240. Before you will be able to schedule sessions for Behind-the-Wheel you must make an online payment (see link below).

  4. Complete the forms, located in the Behind-the-Wheel Registration File Folder in the section at the bottom of this page. (Files needed: Driver Ed Student Information, Parent Permission #1, and PWCS Parent Permission).
    1. Email Mrs. Dignan at [email protected] the following: Credit card receipt (full payment of $240 required) from Student Quick Pay, registration forms in the Registration Files and Resources section below (Driver Education Student Information, Parent Permission #1, and Parent Permission #2) AND a copy of your DEC-District 8 Certificate of Completion (pink card). When you complete the paperwork, please save your files as a PDF.
    2. All paperwork must emailed to [email protected].
  5. Mrs. Dignan will mark you paid after receiving all items/registration forms via email only. Mrs. Dignan will email you once your account balance is cleared. Important: You will not be able to schedule sessions until your account balance is cleared by Mrs. Dignan.

    Please allow FIVE (5) business days for the coordinator to complete this process. You will receive an email when you are able to schedule your sessions.

Scheduling your Sessions

Schedule Your Driving Sessions 

Log in to the Driver's Education Registration website.

Once your account shows a $0 balance, schedule:

  • 2 consecutive Range sessions
    • Followed by 5 consecutive Road sessions
    • All 7 sessions should be scheduled as close together as possible
    • Use the same instructor for all seven sessions

IMPORTANT: You must complete both Range sessions before beginning your Road sessions.

Please remember that two students must be enrolled in a session for it to take place. Instructor availability may make it difficult to schedule all seven days consecutively, so schedule them as close together as possible.

Check Your Account & Notifications

Please log in frequently to:

  • Check your driving schedule and instructor
  • Watch for schedule changes
  • Confirm your email and/or text notifications

You will receive a four-digit confirmation code by email and/or text. Enter this code in your account to activate your notifications.

❗ If You Need to Cancel

If you cannot attend a scheduled session, proper notice must be given to the instructor.

Do not miss a session without providing notice. 

Please check your account regularly and keep track of your scheduled dates and instructor.

Thank you!

Preparing for Your First Day of Behind-The-Wheel

Students must bring their learner's permit daily in order to drive. Please bring your hard copy of the DEC-District 8 card (pink card) on the first day of instruction. Students should meet at door 20 (back of the school building) and wait in the hallway just outside of the weight room/auxiliary gym. Please bring a pen for day one to fill out paperwork!

Students must wear tennis shoes when driving. 

Other Required Forms