Everyone under the age of 18 who wishes to obtain a Virginia driver’s license is required to pass a state approved behind-the-wheel program. Each Hanover County high school has a behind-the-wheel (BTW) program.The BTW cost is currently $200.00 at all Hanover County Public Schools high schools. If you wish, you may take BTW at a state approved private driving school.The cost at a private driving school will vary with the school as each sets its own price.
If you choose a private school then you must show classroom completion along with attendance for the 90 minute parent/teen presentation with a DEC-1 card (orange card). You can request an orange card by filling out the online Google form. Please allow at least a 48 to 72 hour turn around to get the orange card filled out and signed by administration. We will contact you when the orange card is available for pick up in the front office. DEC-1 cards will not be given out unless you and your student has attended the mandatory parent/teen meeting.
If you attended one of our 90 minute parent/teen presentations and just need a certificate showing you went (classroom was taken at a private driving school), please fill out this form or contact Mrs. Hopkins.
If you failed your learner’s permit test three times you will need to show that you have successfully completed driver’s ed classroom and attended the 90 minute parent/teen presentation. Request your DEC-1 card so you can sign up for the learner’s permit refresher course.
In order to take BTW at Atlee High School the student must:
- Successfully complete the classroom portion of driver’s education.
- Have held a learner’s permit for at least six months. (Students must hold the learners permit for nine months to get a license.)
- Starting July 2022, all students enrolled in driver’s ed must attend a 90-minute parent/teen driving presentation to receive an orange card (DEC-1 classroom completion card). As of May 2024, students must attend a meeting in the locality where they took classroom. No online presentations will be accepted to gain a DEC-1 cards as the presentation is part of the HCPS curriculum and must be attended within the county. If you fail your learner’s permit or need to complete BTW you must attend the meeting.
- Complete the BTW application. Forms are available online.
- Have completed and documented at least 45 to 50 hours of guided practice. At least 15 of those hours must take place after sunset. (Hanover County hour requirements)
- Turn in the completed application, 45 to 50-hour sheet, attended the 90-minute parent/teen presentation and $200 to Mr. Withers or Mrs. Hopkins. Checks are payable to Atlee High School and take one week to clear. No payment is due until the student is scheduled to drive.
Once the paperwork is turned in, the student will be placed on the BTW list based on the date the student is eligible to get their driver’s license (nine months from the day their learner’s permit was issued). We will notify parents/students as soon as a spot with an instructor opens up. We have instructors that drive before school from 7:00 to 8:15 a.m. AHS is currently only offering morning sessions.
Each student will drive for seven sessions. Each session lasts 100 minutes. Students will drive for 50 minutes and observe another student driver for 50 minutes. Students will be exposed to as many different driving experiences as time allows. We drive all year round, so do not worry if your date of eligibility is not until July or August.
Contact
Lee Withers
(804) 729-2139
Amanda Hopkins
(804) 723-2139