WCPSS Drivers Education
Links | Registration | Classroom Phase | Driving Phase | Completion of Course | Going to DMV | Graduated Licensing
Getting Started
The goal of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) and its driver education contractor, Jordan Driving School (JDS), is to provide a quality driver education program to all students in a safe and timely manner. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. The average time to complete the Driver Education class, from registration through the classroom and driving phases, is four months. Students wanting their permits by age 15 must register on or before the age of 14 years and eight months. Students with extracurricular activities or jobs may take longer due to conflicts with scheduling driver education.
There are no academic requirements in order to take the driver education class. There are academic requirements in order to apply for a permit or license after finishing the driver education class (see completion of course).
Driver Education is available at no cost for all Wake County resident students between 14½ and 18, including public school, private school, charter school and licensed home schooled students. Students that are dismissed from class due to behavior or attendance problems will have to pay to retake both the classroom and behind the wheel phases of driver education.
Registration Information
How old do I need to be to take Driver Education?
You must be 14½ years of age for the required 30-hour classroom portion.
How is Driver Education offered in Wake County?
Driver Education is offered through a private contractor, Jordan Driving School, after school hours, Saturdays, holiday breaks and during summer months. Driver Education is offered one time free of charge to each eligible student residing within Wake County. A lead teacher at each of the WCPSS high schools is assigned to administer the Driver Education program.
How do I contact the lead Driver Education teacher for my high school?
For additional information, a message may be left for the lead teacher, who will return the call as soon as possible. You may also call Jordan Driving School, or visit their web site at www.jordandriving.com. On the website you will find general information, email addresses for the lead teachers, specific classroom dates and a list of additional classes that might be available. For Behind the Wheel questions or information specific to your school, contact your lead teacher.
Where do I sign up for Driver Education at my school?
Contact the lead Driver Education teacher at your school. Usually in the first two weeks of school he/she will visit homerooms, Physical Education classes, or have daily announcements made about where to acquire a registration form. Information is also available at 9th grade orientation. Check the main office for registration forms.
- Phone Numbers for Lead Teachers
- Registration forms for classes during the school year
- Registration forms for summer classes only
Classroom Phase – 30 hours
During the regular school year, the classroom phase is held after school for 15 days (2-hour classes) or for 10 days (3-hour classes). Summer and holiday break schedules vary. Students must pass 30 hours of classroom instruction and the DMV eye test before being eligible for the driving phase. Students that fail the DMV eye test will be given a form by the DMV examiner and must have their eyes checked by a vision specialist.
Completed eye examination forms must be returned to their lead teacher or mailed to:
Jordan Driving School
3751 Junction Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27603
Driving Phase – 6 hours of instruction
Students must pass the 6 hour driving phase called behind-the-wheel training (BTW), in order to receive a Driver Education Completion Certificate. Students who fail the classroom and/or BTW will not be allowed to enroll again through the school system sponsored driver education program except for extenuating circumstances to be determined by the principal.
BTW Hour Requirements and Scheduling
Students can drive a maximum of two hours per day. Two students are assigned to drive during each BTW session. Each instructor determines his/her own driving schedule and will contact the student to establish a driving time. The student must experience a total of six hours of BTW instruction and six hours of observation time, for a total of 12 hours of in car instructional time. Examples of schedules include: driving three days for four hours or driving four days for three hours. Instructors may drive students from the end of the school day up to 9pm on school days and from 6am to 9pm on Saturdays, holidays and school breaks.
When called by an instructor, write down the following:
- Name of instructor
- Place to be picked up and dropped off
- Days and times of behind-the-wheel training
Completion of the course
Driver Education Certificate
This certificate states that you have completed 30 hours of classroom, six hours of drug and alcohol prevention, and six hours of BTW training. You will use this certificate to obtain a Driver Eligibility Certificate from your school and Level 1 Learner’s Permit from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
How long is the Driver Education Certificate valid?
This certificate is valid as long as you need it. After getting your permit or driver license, file the certificate with your important papers for future use.
Driver Eligibility Certificate
As of August 1, 1998, persons less than 18 years of age applying for a permit or license must have this certificate. This certificate states that the student is passing at least five of six courses in a regular schedule, or three of four courses in a block schedule, and is currently enrolled in school. The certificate is valid for 30 days, and then must be renewed if you do not obtain a learner’s permit within that time.
Where do I get my Driver Eligibility Certificate?
Each high school has a person assigned to issue this certificate. The lead teacher at each school will give students information regarding procedures for obtaining a Driver Eligibility Certificate at their school. Neither JDS, the lead Driver Education teacher, nor the instructors issue this certificate. Check with your Guidance Department or school secretary for the contact.
North Carolina Driver Eligibility Certificate
Driver Education and Safety Information Webpage Links
NC Division of Motor Vehicles Information
The NCDMV provides detailed information on all driver and vehicle rules, regulations and services, including office locations for obtaining driver licenses and permits.
NC Department of Transportation
The NCDOT provides a resource for maps & publications, travel information, road conditions and traffic cameras.
NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program
The NCGHSP provides information on law enforcement public safety campaigns such as, “Click it or Ticket it” and “Booze it and Lose it”.
NC Department of Insurance
This website provides a consumer guide to insurance services and safe driver incentives for North Carolina residents.
National Road Safety Foundation, Inc.
This is a non-profit agency that promotes driver competence through public awareness. The NRSF provides safety tips for car safety, teenage drivers and impaired, drowsy and aggressive driving.
US Department of Transportation
The USDT provides information on national safety issues, domestic and foreign travel procedures, and nationwide highway road conditions.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
This non-profit, scientific, educational organization provides current crash test results, safety feature reviews, vehicle ratings and safety laws & regulations.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA is a national organization whose mission is to save lives, prevent injuries and reduce vehicle related crashes.
National Transportation Safety Board
NTSB is a national organization that provides publications, recommendations and safety alerts.
NC Driver Traffic Safety Education Association
NCDTSEA is the professional organization which represents traffic safety educators in North Carolina.
American Driver Traffic Safety Education Association
ADTSEA is the professional association which represents traffic safety educators throughout the United States and abroad.
National Student Safety Program
NSSP is a national organization for students interested in promoting student driving safety at the local, state and national level.
Online practice quizzes
Use this resource to practice your road signs and take sample tests.
Going to DMV
Take the following items with you when going to DMV to get your learner’s permit.
- Driver’s Education Certificate
- Driver Eligibility Certificate
- An original or certified copy of your birth certificate
- Your social security card
- Proof of residence
- $15.00
- Parent or legal guardian must sign for you
Once at the DMV
- You will take a written test - 25 questions, you must get 19 or more correct
- You will get your eyes checked again - also take an oral test on 12 road signs
- You will then get your picture taken for your limited learner’s permit
- You will fall under the graduated licensing law
Graduated Licensing
Level One Learner Permit
If you are at least 15 years of age and have completed an approved driver education course, you may apply for a Level One Limited Learner Permit to operate vehicles requiring a Class C license:
- Drivers must be at least 15, but less than 18, years old and reside in NC.
- Drivers must pass written, sign, and vision tests.
- During the first six months, a Level One permit authorizes you to drive between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. while accompanied by your supervising driver.
- Six months after Level One issuance, drivers are eligible to drive any time with their supervising driver.
- Before graduating to Level Two, drivers must keep this permit for at least 12 months and have no moving violations or seat belt infractions within the preceding six months.
Level Two Limited Provisional License
- Drivers must be at least 16, but less than 18, years old.
- The driver must present a certificate showing he/she has passed an approved driver education course before he/she can take the driver license test.
- Drivers may drive without supervision from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. and at any time when driving directly to or from work, any volunteer fire, rescue, or EMS.
- Before going to Level Three, the driver must keep this license for at least six months and have no moving violations or seat belt infractions within the preceding six months.
- May have only one passenger other than immediate family. Passenger must sit in the front seat and wear seatbelt.
Level Three Full Provisional License
- Unsupervised driving is allowed at any time.
- Level 3 driver is subject to all other conditions of provisional license.
**For all three levels, you are not permitted to use a mobile telephone or other additional technology associated with a mobile telephone while operating a mobile vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area.