Driver Education

Thinking about Signing Up For In-Car?  

Here is information to consider before you do.

New Additions to the Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Procedures 

Please review and acknowledge the following updates to the BTW procedures:

Paperwork Submission Requirement                     

All required paperwork must be submitted at the same time. Incomplete submissions will result in the student being ineligible to sign up for BTW. The paperwork includes:

  •   The 45-Hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide completed and signed

  •  Virginia Department of Education PARENT/GUARDIAN FORM GRANTING THE SCHOOL PERMISSION TO ISSUE THEIR CHILD A 180 - DAY PROVISIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE

  •  cash or check made out to Essex High School for $190.00 

Mandatory Parent/Student Meeting 

Starting with the 2023 2024 10th-grade class (students who took classroom Driver Education with Ms. Burns), both the student and a parent are required to attend a 90-minute parent/student meeting. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory for eligibility to sign up for BTW. If this requirement is not met, the student will not be allowed to sign up.  The dates for 2025 are :

  • Wednesday, January 15, 2025

  • Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Student-Athlete Consideration 

Be aware that participation in BTW requires a 7-day commitment, which may conflict with athletic practice and games or any after school club. Coaches/ Teachers may not permit athletes/students to miss these events for BTW. Please plan accordingly. Students who are 3 sport athletes should consider driving during the summer.

TDL-180 

If a student is not yet eligible for their TDL-180 upon completing the Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) course, I will inform both the student and the parent of the date the student can come to my room to pick it up. Student's should come to room 119 between 3:15 -3:30 

to pick up their TDL-180. Eligibility varies for each student and depends on how long they have held their learner’s permit.

                           What to do when you are ready to sign up for In-Car (Behind the Wheel)

Procedures for signing up for  In-Car:  (Behind the Wheel)

Step 1: Student must have successfully passed the classroom portion of the course and attended the 90 Minute Parent/Student Meeting . 

Step 2: Student will pay the applicable fee and provide the following forms to Ms. Gillis, the Bookkeeper. All paperwork must be filled out and turned in at the time payment is made. No paperwork or money is to be given to Ms. Burns, 

● 45 hour driving log (supplied by student) 

● Permission to Drive form (Found in the office, top row of the forms holder)

● Learner’s Permit (supplied by student) 

● Payment of $190 ( check or cash) payable to EHS supplied by Parent/Guardian 

Step 3: Upon completion of the above, Ms. Gillis will have the student enter their data in an electronic form to be scheduled. 

Step 4: The instructors will monitor the form to contact the student and parent to schedule the student to drive. 

** Please note that the order of driving will be in order of completion of the items above.**  EHS Contact: Vanessa Burns, PE 10