As of Aug 31, 2024 we have filled our September, October, November, and December Behind the Wheel schedules.
Powhatan High School students: Before scheduling Behind the Wheel, we must first verify that the PHS issued certificate indicates Attended a 90-Minute Parent/Teen Driving Presentation (is marked) Yes. Please text a clear photo of it to 804-397-5550.
Community Driving School (CDS) offers driver's education program for teens to get a driver’s license. CDS works along side all education outlets, private, public, and home schools, to provide driver’s education instruction not available otherwise. CDS provides the Virginia State Driver's Ed curriculum that consists of 30 hours of Classroom course work and 14 periods of Behind the Wheel (7 periods of actual driving and 7 periods of observation). Driver’s Ed Classroom is offered as a self-paced 30-hour online course. The Classroom and the Behind-The-Wheel Driver Education segments are offered together and separately.
Behind the Wheel can be taken after successfully completing the 30 hr Driver's Ed Classroom course at a DMV approved commercial, private, public, on-line, or home school edcuation outlet. The 30 hour Driver's Ed Classroom Course Completion Certificate is needed to begin Behind the Wheel. Behind the Wheel is done in CDS vehicles equipped for Behind the Wheel, inspected and approved by DMV, and insured appropriately for this purpose.
A Learner’s Permit is needed to begin the Behind-the-Wheel segment along with the Classroom segment completion. Students who are 15 years and 6 months old can apply for a Learners Permit at DMV. We encourage teens to get their Learners Permit as soon as they can, even if they intend to take a while to meet the driver training requirements. We also ask that the student drive with family and friends and fully complete the 45-hour driving log before taking Behind the Wheel.
Upon successful completion of Behind the Wheel, CDS will issue a 180-Day Virginia Temporary Drivers License to a new driver who meets the driving and age requirements set forth in the Virginia State Code. The 4 requirements for licensing include completing the 45 hour driving log (30 daytime-15 nighttime) holding the Learner's Permit for 9 months, and the Classroom and Behind the Wheel Driver's Ed components.
Behind the Wheel Requirements
Community Driving School offers Driver Education - In Car Instruction to teens who: • holds a valid Virginia Learner's Permit, • has completed the 30 hour Driver Education Classroom course and provide the school completion certificate, • has completed at least 30 hours of the 45 hour driving log, and • is under 18 years of age. (if 18 and older, please see the Adult Behind the Wheel section below)
Driving Times
Our Behind the Wheel program consists of 7 50-minute driving periods and 7 50-minute observation periods as specified by DMV regulations. Driving schedules are based on student & instructor availability and are set for Monday through Friday during daylight hours. Saturday and Sunday driving is not normally available.
Pick-up & Drop-off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off is available at select high schools, retail locations, or at our Community Driving Schools in Powhatan, Midlothian, and Goochland.
Adult Behind the Wheel
For adults, age 18 and older, Behind the Wheel is offered at the CVS-Westchester Commons meeting point. Adults must be paired with other adults and the format of 7 drives and 7 observations is the same as that offered to teen drivers. We furnish the Behind the Wheel vehicle and upon successful completion, we issue a DMV Waiver document which waives the DMV Road Skills Test and Learner's Permit holding requirement. Submitting this document to DMV will result in them issuing a Driver's License.
To take Adult Behind the Wheel, the Virginia Learner's Permit and 30 hours of written logged driving experience requirements apply and the Driver's Ed 30 hour Classroom Course completion certificate must be furnished. If the classroom course was taken in high school, the transcript records should be available in the school's archives so enabling the acquisition of the certificate even if it was taken several years ago.
Private Driving Lessons
We offer Private Driving Lessons to teens and adults who are preparing for the DMV Road Skills Test or for the Behind the Wheel program. Lessons are offerred on weekdays during school hours. Little or no driving experience is required, however a valid Virginia Learner's Permit is needed. Transportation is available and is charged based on a round trip from our nearest office at the lesson per minute rate. Lessons last 50 minutes and can be purchased on a day-to-day basis. To support flexibility, there are no minimum or maximum lesson commitments. Please contact us for scheduling information. In high peak conditions we may be unable to offer private lessons. This usually occurs in the summer.
Behind the Wheel Enrollment Form
The following form should be completed and submitted before registering for Behind the Wheel sessions.
The information provided will be used to set up a Behind the Wheel schedule.
Registration and Payment for Behind the Wheel
On-Line Registration
Students and instructors will wear facemasks during in-car sessions.
Note: Every effort is made to begin the driving course on the date desired as entered but scheduling is based on student/instructor availability during daylight hours. Please note that if Behind the Wheel services cannot be rendered, a refund, less 3.5 %, will be issued.
