Online driver education schools are a convenient alternative to classroom-based programs.
Available to residents of all ages, these programs allow you to take the classroom component of the program online. You are still required to complete an in-person final exam followed by 14 behind-the-wheel training sessions.
The program includes 30 hours of instruction.
Note:
Anyone 15 years and 6 months or older can take the online classroom portion without a learner's permit. You need a learner's permit to take the driving portion.
Find an Online Driver Education School
Before registering for the course, please verify that the school has a test site located in your area. See our list of DMV-licensed online driver training schools to find one near you.
90-Minute Parent/Teen Component
For students under 18, there is an additional 90-minute parent/teen component to the driver education curriculum. It covers topics such as juvenile driving restrictions and the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
Northern Virginia note:
You and a parent or guardian MUST complete this component IN PERSON if you live in Planning District 8 (counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park).
You are EXEMPT from the 90-minute parent/teen component if you are either:
- at least 18 years old, or
- an emancipated minor, or
- an unaccompanied minor who is not in the physical custody of your parent or guardian
Scheduling the Final Exam
Before you can take the 14 behind-the-wheel training sessions, you must pass an in-person final exam at the end of the online course.
Please note:
The final exam is DIFFERNT from the two-part knowledge exam and road skills test, which you can take at DMV to get your license.
To schedule your exam contact your online driver training school to choose the date, time and place.
The exam may be taken only once per business day, and must be conducted at the scheduled test site. Any changes to the testing site must be agreed upon by the student, parent (if student is under age 18) and instructor.
Note: DMV does NOT maintain schedules for testing.
Taking the Final Exam
On the day of testing, you must bring the following to the test site:
- Photo identification (DMV-issued learner's permit/identification card, school-issued identification card, valid passport or military identification)
- Proof of completion of the online driver education program
- If you are UNDER age 18, a completed Parental Consent for Online Driver Education Examination
- If you are UNDER age 18, proof of completion of the 90-minute parent/teen component (if required)
Note: Your online driver education school will provide a computer for testing.
After the Final Exam
After you’ve completed the exam, you and the instructor must sign the Online Driver Education Examination Monitor Record, indicating the time-in and time-out of the test site.
If you pass the exam, the instructor will issue your classroom completion certificate. Now you can sign up for behind-the-wheel training.
You can either take behind-the-wheel training with the same school that issued your certificate, or a different school. If you choose a different school, you must PRESENT that school with your classroom completion certificate.