Driver's Education

Driver’s Education at Wahpeton Public Schools

 

Dear Student and Parent,

Welcome to the Wahpeton High School Driver and Traffic Safety Education Program. To be effective, this will not be the “Easy School of Driving.” Your success will require discipline, a willingness to learn new things and perhaps change old habits, and your time. Our program would be incomplete without your active participation, and your collective desire to learn. We highly value the time that you’ll devote to this task and believe that without that commitment, our efforts will be greatly diminished. Drivers between the ages of 14-24 are more likely than anyone else to be killed in a motor vehicle crash. We want to thank you for your willingness to learn, work together and maintain safe driving habits which are designed to produce exceptional drivers for an entire lifetime. 

 

Phase 1 – Classroom sessions for 2024-25

 

 

You are encouraged to follow along in the course materials with your child and to supervise your child’s driving practice each afternoon and/evening we have class.  Students are only allowed to drive with an instructor, parent, or legal guardian.

 

Please be aware that the student must have a valid ND learner’s permit before they can legally practice driving and enroll in this course!

 

   

Phase 2 – Behind the Wheel for 2024-25 - Student must pass Phase 1 before taking Behind the Wheel.

 

1. March thru May -

     a. 3:30pm - 7:30pm

 

2. June thru August - 

     a. Mornings: 8am - 12pm

     b. Afternoons: 12:30pm - 4:30pm

 

Register and pay on our school website: https://www.wahpetonschools.org/

 

Please note: I will do my best to work with you on accommodating your after school and summer schedule to get the required 6 hours of driving and 6 hours of backseat observation. 

Please review your calendar to ensure there are no conflicts with drive times. If a student has a conflict with an appointed drive time, the student must contact the instructor as soon as possible.

 

The Driver License Division requires new teen drivers under the age of 16 who complete a driver education course to have at least 50 hours of supervised practice before they are eligible to apply for a license. Guided practice behind the wheel is essential for habit development to occur.

The North Dakota Parent Guide to Teen Driving and the Parent's Supervised Driving Program book include a driving log to keep track of the time you spend practicing. It also contains information and tips you’ll find helpful as you guide your teen through this program. I have given your child a copy of this to give to you.

IN-CAR EXPECTATIONS:

1.       Begins promptly at scheduled time – show up 5 minutes early
2.       Absences must be pre-excused
3.       No cell phone or other electronic devices
4.       No flip flops, sandals, heels – wear comfortable, securely fitted shoes
5.       The driver-training car should be as clean when you leave it as it was when you arrived
6. The student must bring a valid driving permit to all behind-the-wheel sessions.
7. Appropriate corrective lenses are required, and sunglasses are highly recommended.

 

Attendance is mandatory. A certificate of completion will be given only to those individuals who successfully complete the minimum 30 hours of classroom instruction and 12 hours of in-car training (6-hours of driving and 6-hours of supervised observation). Therefore, students must attend a full 30 hours of classroom and 12 hours of in-car sessions. In addition, students must earn a passing score of 75% on classroom exams, demonstrate mastery of safe driving skills and behaviors in the car, exhibit a positive attitude at all times, and demonstrate the ability to be present and on time for every class and in-car lesson. Any individual who does not successfully complete these stated requirements will not receive a certificate of completion.

 

CERTIFICATES

Students will receive one of two certificates after completing Drivers Education at Wahpeton Public School

Certificate of Completion

ND Certificate of Training