Complete Behind the Wheel in 7 Days in Gainesville, VA

One-week DMV-certified program with pickup at Gainesville High School.

Office: 14950 Washington Street #202, Haymarket (minutes from Gainesville) | (703) 754-4444 | DMV-Certified Since 2007 | Finish the Course in 7 Days

Timeline

1 week

Included

7 sessions, road test, DTS-B

Pickup

Gainesville High School

Your Gainesville Behind the Wheel Program

Gainesville families usually want one thing from behind the wheel: a local program that starts where their teen already is. Pickup and drop-off at Gainesville High School is always available, so students can move straight from school to their appointment without another trip across Prince William County. Many eligible students complete the full course in 7 days.

Gainesville is one of the largest service areas we work in, so this page reflects how the program actually runs here. Students regularly train on Lee Highway, Linton Hall Road, and the roads around Virginia Gateway because that is the environment they will keep driving after they get licensed. If you still need the classroom step, pair this page with driver education in Gainesville. If you want the full local overview, use driving school in Gainesville.

Behind the Wheel Pricing

Behind the Wheel

$340

7 appointments with a certified instructor, training vehicle, road skills test, and Driver Training Certificate (DTS-B) included. No hidden fees.

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Behind the Wheel + Driver Education

$540

Both courses together. A good option for families who need the classroom course and behind the wheel driving lessons.

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Behind the Wheel Re‑Examination

$550

For students who have failed the road skills test 3 or more times. Includes 12 hours of additional driving instruction.

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Payment accepted by cash or check. See our full pricing breakdown for details on what's included.

Where Gainesville Students Practice Driving

Our Gainesville lessons are built around the road types students here actually use: commuter corridors, school traffic, shopping-center turns, and I-66 access points. Here's what training looks like in practice:

  • Lee Highway (US-29) - Multi-lane traffic, turning movements at busy intersections, managing speed with commercial traffic. This is one of the most-driven corridors in western Prince William County.
  • Linton Hall Road - Heavy traffic near schools and shopping centers. Students practice lane changes, gap judgment, and turn-lane decisions under real Gainesville traffic pressure.
  • Virginia Gateway area - Parking-lot navigation, pedestrian awareness, and right-of-way in retail entrances and connecting roads. This is practical preparation for everyday errands and weekend traffic.
  • I-66 highway practice - Merging, lane changes at speed, and highway confidence. Gainesville students often need interstate comfort earlier than students in quieter areas.
  • Neighborhoods near Heritage Hunt, Glenkirk, and Heathcote - Lower-speed roads for three-point turns, stopping accuracy, and scanning habits before moving back to the main corridors.

This mix gives Gainesville students more than test prep. It prepares them for the roads they will actually use for school, work, sports, and commuting.

Program Details & Pricing

Behind the wheel is $340 and includes 7 appointments, a DMV-certified instructor, our training vehicle, the road skills test, and your DTS-B certificate. The bundle with driver education is $540. Gainesville is one of our largest service areas, so appointment availability is strong here. We can usually start within a few days of registration, and many eligible students finish the full course in one week. See the full program details for teen vs. adult requirements, our pricing breakdown, and what to expect at your first lesson.

Driving School Courses

Re‑examination / 3x Failure Course
$120

Required if you've failed the Virginia knowledge exam 3 times. Complete this DMV-approved online course to become eligible to retest.

Under 18 requirements
Available online with instant access. Students age 17 and under may take the Driver's Manual course if they have already completed at least 36 periods of fifty minutes or 30 hours of the classroom component of driver education. A certificate of completion cannot be issued unless you provide proof that you completed the 30-36 hour classroom course. Accepted documents include a DEC-1 (from a public or private school), DTS 36 (from a DMV-licensed driver training school), or a certificate from an approved curriculum for Virginia home schoolers.
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Driver's License Fast-track for Adults (18+)

Adults normally must hold their Learner's Permit for at least 60 days before they can take the Road Skills Test and receive their Driver's License. This waiting period can be skipped by completing a DMV Approved Driver Education program for adults, and Behind the Wheel. Upon completion, you will be given a certificate that can be redeemed for your license at the DMV.

Start Your Registration

This form is the first step to reserve a spot in our one-week Behind the Wheel program.

For teen students, guardian contact information is required so we can confirm details and finalize enrollment by phone.

REGISTRATION   —    Behind the Wheel

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you pick up students in Gainesville?

We pick up and drop off at Gainesville High School for every behind the wheel appointment. Students from nearby schools can also ask about alternate arrangements. Our office in Haymarket is just minutes away, but Gainesville students usually do not need to travel there for the in-car portion.

Do you also pick up from Patriot High School?

Yes. While Gainesville High School is our primary pickup spot in the area, we also pick up students from Patriot High School. Patriot HS is near the Bristow/Gainesville border, and we serve students from both areas. Call us if you attend a different school nearby.

How much does behind the wheel cost?

Behind the wheel costs $340 at Abba Driving School. That covers all 7 appointments, a DMV-certified instructor, a training vehicle, the road skills test, and the Driver Training Certificate (DTS-B). Pricing is the same regardless of pickup location. The bundle with driver education is $540. See our pricing page for a full breakdown.

How far is your office from Gainesville?

Our Haymarket office is about 5 minutes from Gainesville via Route 29 (Lee Highway). For behind the wheel lessons, though, there's no need to drive to the office. Our instructors pick up students directly at Gainesville High School or Patriot High School.

Can adults take behind the wheel in Gainesville?

Yes. Adults 18 and older can take behind the wheel without completing driver education first. You just need a valid Virginia Learner's Permit. We can coordinate Gainesville-area pickup for adults, and adults who want the faster licensing path can also complete driver education in Gainesville first. Read our adult driving lessons guide for full details.

What makes Gainesville's roads good for learning to drive?

Gainesville has some of the busiest traffic corridors in western Prince William County. Lee Highway carries heavy commercial traffic, Linton Hall Road has complex intersections near schools and shopping centers, and I-66 runs right through the area. Students who train here get comfortable with real traffic before their road test.

What should my teen bring to their first lesson?

Three things: payment (cash or check made out to "Abba Driving School"), a photocopy of their Learner's Permit, and their signed Driver Education Certificate of Completion (the pink sheet). The instructor will pick up your teen at Gainesville High School or another arranged spot.

What happens if my teen fails the road test?

They can retake it. If a student fails once or twice, we offer additional practice sessions before the retest. If a student fails three or more times, Virginia requires a behind the wheel re-examination ($550), which includes 12 hours of extra driving instruction. Read our guide on what to do after failing.

Are evening and weekend appointments available in Gainesville?

Yes. We schedule behind the wheel seven days a week, including evenings. Gainesville is one of our busiest areas, so instructor availability is consistently strong here. Slots fill fastest in June and July, so register early for summer.

Safety & Credentials

All instructors pass yearly FBI background checks and are licensed by the state of Virginia. Our school is insured and bonded, and our vehicles meet all required safety standards. The instructors serving Gainesville are the same experienced team that operates from our Haymarket headquarters, just minutes away on Route 29. Abba Driving School has been training Gainesville students since 2007. Learn more about our instructors and vehicles.

Serving Gainesville, VA

Our office is a short drive from Gainesville, located at 14950 Washington Street #202, Haymarket, VA 20169.