If you’re a parent of a teen who’s approaching driving age, you’ve probably heard the terms “Driver’s Ed” and “Behind the Wheel” used interchangeably — or you have seen them listed as separate services and wondered what the difference is. Many parents ask: do I need Driver’s Ed AND Behind the Wheel? What is the difference between drivers ed and behind the wheel training? This is a clear breakdown of both programs and how they work together to get your Virginia teen safely on the road.
The short answer is that Driver’s Education is classroom-based theory, and Behind the Wheel is in-car practical training. Most Virginia teens need both. Let’s go through each program in detail so you know exactly what to expect.
What Is Driver’s Education?
Driver’s Education (often called “Driver’s Ed”) is a classroom-based theory course that teaches your teen the foundational knowledge they need before they ever get behind the steering wheel. Think of it as the “textbook” portion of learning to drive.
During Driver’s Ed, students learn:
- Virginia traffic laws and regulations — right-of-way rules, speed limits, and legal responsibilities of drivers
- Road signs and signals — what every sign means and how to respond to traffic signals, pavement markings, and road indicators
- Defensive driving concepts — how to anticipate hazards, maintain safe following distances, and react to other drivers’ mistakes
- Risk awareness and collision avoidance — understanding the dangers of distracted driving, impaired driving, and adverse weather conditions
- Vehicle basics — how a car operates, dashboard indicators, and basic maintenance awareness
At Abba Driving School, we offer Driver Education for $200. Our course can be taken in several formats: classroom instruction, a hybrid model combining classroom and online learning, or fully online. Our in-person classroom sessions meet at our Haymarket office on weekends, making it convenient for busy families.
Completing Driver’s Ed earns your teen a Driver Education Certificate, which is a prerequisite for starting Behind the Wheel training if your teen is under 18. This certificate proves that your teen has learned the rules of the road and is ready to apply that knowledge with an instructor in an actual vehicle. For a full breakdown of what’s required, see our Virginia Driver Education requirements guide.
What Is Behind the Wheel?
Behind the Wheel (BTW) training is the in-car, on-road driving instruction portion of your teen’s driver training. This is where your teen actually gets behind the steering wheel with a DMV-certified instructor and learns to drive on real roads, in real traffic.
Behind the Wheel training at Abba Driving School includes:
- 7 scheduled appointments, each lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Each session is split: 50 minutes of driving and 50 minutes of observing another student drive
- Students learn all practical driving skills: steering, braking, turning, lane changes, parking (parallel, perpendicular, and angle), highway merging, navigating intersections, and more
- The 7th session is the road skills test — your teen takes the actual driving test with their instructor
- The instructor provides the vehicle, so you don’t need to supply your own car
- Pickup may be available — contact us for details
Abba Driving School offers Behind the Wheel training for $340. Upon successful completion, your teen receives a Driver Training Certificate (DTS-B), which is required to obtain their Virginia driver’s license.
Behind the Wheel vs. Driver’s Ed: Side-by-Side Comparison
The difference between drivers ed and behind the wheel is easier to understand when you see them compared directly. The two programs stack up like this:
| Feature | Driver’s Ed | Behind the Wheel |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Classroom theory | In-car practical training |
| Duration | Varies by format | 7 appointments (1 hr 40 min each) |
| What You Learn | Laws, signs, driving concepts | Actual driving skills on real roads |
| Where | Classroom or online | On the road in a real vehicle |
| Price at Abba | $200 | $340 |
| Includes Test? | No | Yes (road skills test on 7th session) |
| Certificate | Driver Ed Certificate | Driver Training Certificate (DTS-B) |
As you can see, Driver’s Ed and Behind the Wheel are not interchangeable. They are two distinct programs that serve different purposes in your teen’s driver training journey.
Which Does Your Teen Need?
The answer depends on your teen’s age:
Under 18 in Virginia: Both Are Required
If your teen is under 18 years old, Virginia law requires both Driver’s Education and Behind the Wheel training. There’s no way around it. The sequence is important too:
- Complete Driver’s Education first — your teen must finish the classroom course and receive their Driver Education Certificate
- Then start Behind the Wheel — the Driver Ed certificate is required before your teen can begin in-car training with an instructor
- Pass the road skills test — this happens during the 7th BTW appointment
- Receive the DTS-B certificate — this is what your teen takes to the DMV to get their license
You can’t skip Driver’s Ed and go straight to Behind the Wheel if your teen is under 18. The Driver Education certificate is a prerequisite that must be completed first.
Adults 18 and Older
If you are 18 or older, neither Driver’s Education nor Behind the Wheel is strictly required by Virginia law. However, completing BTW through a certified driving school is the easiest and most efficient path to obtaining your license. You can take the road skills test through the school rather than waiting for a DMV appointment, and you’ll get professional instruction that makes you a safer, more confident driver.
How Driver’s Ed and Behind the Wheel Work Together
Virginia designed the teen driver training system as a two-part process for an important reason: safety. The two programs complement each other directly:
- Driver’s Ed teaches the theory — your teen learns the rules, laws, and concepts in a low-pressure classroom environment. They study road signs, understand right-of-way, and learn about the dangers of distracted driving before they ever sit in the driver’s seat.
- Behind the Wheel applies that theory on the road — with a certified instructor beside them, your teen puts all of that classroom knowledge into practice. They learn how to actually control a vehicle, react to real traffic situations, and build the muscle memory needed for safe driving.
Together, Driver’s Ed and Behind the Wheel form a complete driver training program. The classroom knowledge gives your teen the mental framework for safe driving. The in-car training gives them the physical skills and real-world experience. Neither one alone is enough — they need both the knowledge and the practice to become a safe, responsible driver.
This is exactly why Virginia requires both for teen drivers. Complete driver training that includes both classroom and in-car components produces safer new drivers. By requiring both, Virginia makes sure every new teen driver has a solid foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience before driving independently.
Getting Started: Choosing a Driving School
When choosing where to complete Driver’s Ed and Behind the Wheel, you have options. You can complete them at different schools if you prefer, but many families find it more convenient to do both at the same school:
- Smooth transition — the instructors already know your teen and can pick up right where the classroom training left off
- Less paperwork — no need to transfer certificates between different schools
- Consistent teaching approach — the same school’s methods and philosophy carry through both programs
- Better value — at Abba Driving School, you can get both Driver Education ($200) and Behind the Wheel ($340) for a total of $540, covering your teen’s complete driver training needs
At Abba Driving School, our DMV-certified instructors handle both Driver Education and Behind the Wheel training. We make it easy for your family to complete your teen’s entire driver training program in one place. Learn more about our pricing or register today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip Driver’s Ed?
Not if your teen is under 18 in Virginia. Driver’s Education is a legal requirement for all drivers under 18. You must complete Driver’s Ed and receive the Driver Education Certificate before you can start Behind the Wheel training. Adults 18 and older are not required to complete Driver’s Ed, though the course provides valuable knowledge that makes you a safer driver.
Do I need to do Driver’s Ed and Behind the Wheel at the same school?
No, you aren’t required to complete both programs at the same school. You can take Driver’s Ed at one school and Behind the Wheel at another. However, completing both at Abba Driving School is more convenient — our instructors already know your teen’s progress, and you avoid the hassle of transferring certificates and paperwork between different schools.
How long do I have to wait between Driver’s Ed and Behind the Wheel?
There’s no mandatory waiting period between completing Driver’s Ed and starting Behind the Wheel. You can begin BTW training as soon as you have your Driver Education Certificate in hand. Many families schedule their first Behind the Wheel appointment right after finishing Driver’s Ed to keep the momentum going. Read our teen guide for more details on the timeline.