Driver training schools are licensed by DMV to offer driver education programs statewide to residents of all ages.
The program includes 36 classroom sessions, seven driving sessions, seven observation sessions and a final road skills examination. Each session is 50-minutes long.
Completing a driver education program gets you a completion certificate, which most new drivers need to qualify for a permanent driver's license.
Click the button below to search for a school currently licensed by the DMV to legally provide driver training in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Requirements to Get a License
If you are a Virginia resident UNDER 18 years old, before you can get your driver’s license, you must hold your Virginia learner’s permit for at least nine months and complete a Commonwealth of Virginia-approved driver education program.
New Virginia Residents with Out-of-State Permits
If you are a Virginia resident UNDER 18 years old and you move to Virginia from another U.S. state or territory with a valid learner’s permit, the time you held your learner's permit will be counted toward the Virginia minimum holding period.
If, while holding your out of state learner’s permit, you completed an out-of-state driver education program, the out-of-state program must provide proof you have completed at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of in-car instruction.
Note:
Your parent, guardian or foster parent must provide their driver's license or state-issued identification card number and sign the driver education completion certificate, which attests to your academic standing and certifies that you have driven at least 45 hours (15 of which occurred after sunset).
If you are a Virginia resident age 18 or OLDER and have never held a license issued by any state, U.S. territory or foreign country, there are two options to get your driver’s license.
Option 1
- Pass the driver's license knowledge exam to be issued a learner’s permit, and complete a driver education program.
- This waives the 60-day holding period of a learner's permit. You also won’t be required to take the road skills test at DMV, as the test is part of the driver education program.
Option 2
- Hold a Virginia learner's permit for at least 60 days and complete a Behind-the-Wheel Checklist before taking the road skills test at DMV.
- This waives the need for a driver education program. However, a licensed driver must certify they were with you while you practiced, and that you have complied with all requirements for learner's permit holders while operating a motor vehicle.
Additional Information
If you have comments or concerns about driver training schools, call our toll-free hotline at 1-877-885-5790.
The program consists of 36 fifty-minute classroom periods of instructions and 14 fifty-minute periods in-car instructions (7 periods of driving and 7 periods of observation, including the final road skills examination). It includes components about alcohol safety, drug abuse awareness, aggressive driving, distracted driving, pedestrian and bicycle safety, handicapped parking, fuel efficient driving practices, motorcycle awareness and organ and tissue donation awareness.
DMV is committed to promoting transportation safety through the certification of quality driver training programs. For information about the laws governing driver training schools, see the Driver Training School Regulations and Driver Training School Statutes.
Selecting a Driver Training School
Driver education programs may be taken at a public or private school, or at a DMV-licensed driver training school. The classroom component may also be taken online through a driver training school. It’s important to select a driver training school that you’re comfortable with, provides high-quality education and training, and employs instructors that are professional, respectful, and knowledgeable.
Here are some tips to help you select a driver training school:
- Check the school’s license status on our website Driver Training Schools and Clinics. Only schools that are licensed and bonded by DMV are listed.
- Contact your local Better Business Bureau (BBB). Driver training schools aren’t required to be a member, but the BBB website is a good source of information for customer complaints.
- Research the school online by reading reviews.
- Compare tuition costs between driver training schools and ask about any additional fees or charges to have a clear understanding of all expenses. Once selected, the school will provide you with a contract for review and signature. Please review it carefully and retain a copy of your records.
- Retain copies of all receipts, contracts, and other school documents.
- If you're unsure whether an instructor is licensed, ask to see their instructor license issued by DMV.
- Ask about the school’s training vehicles. Training vehicles must be:
- Insured with the required bodily injury and property damage liability insurance.
- Inspected yearly to ensure that the vehicle is in safe and proper mechanical condition.
- Used for instruction only (instructors aren’t allowed to take breaks or conduct personal business during behind-the-wheel training).
- Ask the driver training school for a telephone number you can use in case of an emergency (behind-the-wheel training often occurs when the driver training school’s office is closed).
- Ask about the school’s policy for canceling or rescheduling a behind-the-wheel training session.
- Choose a driver training school in an area you’re familiar with.
- Driver training schools establish their own policies regarding the following:
- Program schedule.
- Videos and movies including those containing graphic scenes of traffic accidents.
- Behind-the-wheel driver training schedule.
- Driver training routes.
- Make and model of driver training vehicles.
- Drop-off and pickup locations for training sessions.
Check with the driver training school for more information about these policies.
Driver’s Education Completion Certificates
Driver training schools are required to issue certificates upon successful completion of the driver education program.
- Classroom Training Certificate (DTS 36) – Issued after the student completes 36 fifty-minute classroom instruction sessions.
- Virginia Driver Training Certificate – Under 18 (DTS B) – Issued to minors after completing 14 fifty-minute in-vehicle instruction sessions (7 driving and 7 observation).
- Virginia Driver Training Certificate – 18 and Over (DTS D) – Issued to adults after completing 14 fifty-minute in-vehicle instruction sessions (7 driving and 7 observation).
Certificates must be provided to the student within five business days of completing the respective training component.
Concerns
- DMV will assist with any concerns that you may have regarding a DMV-licensed driver training school. A submission form can be filed online, DTS Concern Form. Any supporting documentation to support your issue can be emailed to DTSConcerns@dmv.virginia.gov.
- For concerns regarding a public or private school, contact your local school district administration. Additional information may be found on the Department of Education website.