Driver Ed FAQ

The AW course is BTW for those students 18 yrs or older who wish to waive the DMV requirements of holding your Virginia Learner's Permit for 60 days and taking a road test at the DMV.  It is a 7 day course consisting of 50 minutes of behind the wheel driving and 50 minutes of observing another adult student driver.  Your instructor will evaluate your skills as a driver and provide constructive feedback to help improve your driving ability.

It is NOT a course for individuals wanting to learn how to drive. Students should have a decent level of competency operating a motor vehicle when registering for the Adult Waiver.  Students wanting to learn how to drive must register for driving lessons.

Upon successful completion you will be issued a certificate that you must submit to the DMV, along with an application for your license.  The DMV is responsible for issuing your license.  You can submit the paperwork to the DMV in person, by mail, or electronically.  Your instructor will provide you with specific instructions during your course.

The DMV is very clear on this matter, you must complete 7 sessions and only one session per day is allowed.  

No.  In order to meet your observation requirements, a minimum of 2 students will be scheduled during each AW session.

All Safe Road Driving Academy vehicles are newer models, no older than 9 years old,  and equipped with the current standard safety equipment.  Additionally, all cars are  specifically equipped with an instructor brake and instructor rear view mirror.  All vehicles are inspected annually to meet Virginia Department of Transportation safety standards and the Department of Motor Vehicles requirements for driver training vehicles.

All Safe Road Driving Academy instructors are licensed and certified by the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles and Board of Education.  Each instructor goes through a thorough initial training process and enrolls in continuing education courses to maintain their certifications.  All instructors are subject to annual FBI background checks.

BTW is a required course and is part of the Drivers Education curriculum that each driver must take in order to earn a Virginia Driver's License.  Private lessons are where you can learn how to operate a car or just brush up on skills.  Lessons can count toward the required 45 hours for BTW but lessons do not count toward your required BTW sessions.

The answer is Yes and No.  If you can get an appointment at the DMV to take the road test and you've had your Virginia permit for at least 60 days, then No, you do not need to take BTW.  However, if you wish to "waive" the requirements of holding your permit for 60 days and/or you can't get an appointment at the DMV in time, then Yes, you will need to take our Adult Waiver course which is the adult version of BTW.  7 sessions with an instructor and at least one other adult student driver. You will need to show evidence of successfully completing a DMV approved classroom drivers education program prior to taking the Adult Waiver course.

We  offer sessions before and after school, as well as on weekends, school holidays, and summer vacation.  Additionally, our scheduling software allows the student to select their days and times for each session so they can plan ahead and eliminate the need to cancel or reschedule sessions.  In the event that something does come up and you need to reschedule your session, log into your account and reschedule the session in question.  As long as you do this prior to the deadline, you will avoid being assessed a fee

Simply log into your account and revise your schedule.  As long as you do this prior to the deadline, you will not incur a cancellation fee.

If you fail to cancel your session at least 24 hours in advance, or, if you fail to show up for a session, you will be charged a $75 late cancellation fee.

Refunds are available upon written request within 36 hours of registering.  A $50 processing fee will be assesed.

BTW and AW courses require the use of specifically equipped and inspected cars owned, insured, and operated by Safe Road Driving Academy.  

BTW is the second part of the state required drivers education program.  It consists of 7 sessions of driving with a certified driving instructor with at least one other student driver in the car.  Each session consists of 50 minutes of driving and 50 minutes of observing another student driver.  

BTW sessions are NOT driving lessons.  You will learn to improve your skills and we will correct any mistakes but, you should already have all the basic driving skills necessary to safely operate a car on the road.  Students wanting to learn how to drive must register for driving lessons.

Student drivers must be 16 years old, hold a valid Virginia Learner's Permit for at least 6 months, successfully completed classroom drivers' ed, and have acquired 40 hours of supervised driving with a licensed adult by the first day of BTW.

Students reaching their 18th birthday and seeking their drivers license will need to enroll in the Adult Waiver course. They must have a valid Virginia Learner's Permit and have completed an approved classroom drivers' ed course.

30 hours of classroom drivers ed - and a DEC-1 card issued by your classroom teacher.

Parent/Guardian and student attend the 90 minute Partners for Safe Teen Driving

Learner's Permit issued by the Virginia DMV

45 hours of supervised driving with a licensed adult to include 15 hours of night driving.

If you have met all eligibility requirements and successfully complete BTW your instructor can issue your "temporary license".  No DMV appointments needed.

The completion time depends on scheduling flexibility, and instructor availability. Typically, each student can finish Behind-the-Wheel within 7-12 days.

Within 6 months of earning your temporary license, you will be notified by the Juvenile and Domestic Court to attend a licensing ceremony with a parent./guardian, at which your permanent license will be issued.  Or, the DMV may mail your license directly to you at the address they have on file.

The DTS-B you are issued at the conclusion of BTW will expire 6 months after the date it is issued, or on your 18th birthday, whichever comes first.  If you turn 18, you will need to submit the temporary license to the DMV so they can issue your permanent license.  The DTS-B is no longer valid after your 18th birthday and you must not drive until you have been issued a new license from the DMV.

If you have not received your permanent license in the mail, or a notice to attend a licensing ceremony, and it has been at least 4 months or more since your temporary license was issued, please contact our office.  We can track down your account, contact the DMV and get your license processed and mailed out to you.  If you are approaching your expiration date of your 6 month temporary license, visit the DMV to have your licensed processed immediately.

A minimum of 2 students are required.  Many times 3 students will be scheduled at the same time. This is for everyone to complete their observation requirement.

No.  In order to meet your observation requirements, a minimum of 2 students will be scheduled during each BTW session.

We encourage taking BTW with friends. We've found that it helps make the time in the car more enjoyable and less stressful.  Our software allows the student to select the days, times, and instructor for each session. As long as each of you select the same schedule and instructor you will be paired during the lessons.

No.  The DMV does not permit more than one session per day.

The DMV is very clear on this matter, you must complete all 7 sessions. Only one session per day is allowed.