The goal of the Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) and its driver education contractor, The North Carolina Driving School, 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 three to 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's education.

There are no academic requirements in order to take the driver's education class. There are academic requirements in order to apply for a permit or license after finishing the driver's education class.

A $45.00 fee is now required to be paid online by the first three days of class. A QR code and link will be sent by NC Driving School. The teacher will also have the information in class. Students that are dismissed from driver's education class due to behavior or attendance problems will not be allowed to take driver's education a second time through the Winston Salem/Forsyth County School System.

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 WS/FCS?

Driver Education is offered through a private contractor, The North Carolina Driving School, after school hours, Saturdays, holiday breaks and during summer months. Driver Education is offered to each eligible student attending school in Forsyth County, who pays a $45 fee to register for a class, or shows proof of Free Lunch to have the fee waived.

Where do I sign up for Driver Education at my school?

All information and class sign-ups are provided on the NC Driving School website and there is a link to register on this page .  Students will have to register on-line at NC Driving School.com or this page.

Classroom Phase – 30 hours

During the regular school year, the classroom phase is held after school 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. Perfect attendance is required. Although one excused absence is allowed, it will need to be made up in the next class. Students must be in attendance the first day or that spot will be filled by another student. These classes fill up quickly. If you sign-up for the class and find you are not going to be able to attend, please let us know. There are many students trying to get in these classes and it is not fair to them. If a student signs up and does not attend the class they will not be able to enroll in the next class.

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's 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 parent 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 9:45pm 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