Behind the Wheel Driving School in Warrenton, VA

DMV-certified driving lessons with a dedicated Fauquier County instructor.

Staging area: Eva Walker Park, Warrenton | (703) 754-4444 | DMV-Certified Since 2007 | Instructor: Mr. Arsel

Driving School in Warrenton, VA

Abba Driving School expanded to Warrenton because there weren't many driving schools in the area. We'd regularly get calls from Fauquier County families looking for quality driving instruction, so we hired Mr. Arsel and made Warrenton his primary location. Behind the wheel lessons use Eva Walker Park as a central staging area. Mr. Arsel is DMV-certified and serves the Warrenton area full-time.

Pickup availability depends on Mr. Arsel's schedule and the locations of other students that week. If you are north of Whitney State Forest, pickup may be available. Contact us at (703) 754-4444 and we'll let you know if your location works. We serve students from Fauquier High School, Kettle Run High School, and the surrounding areas of Fauquier County.

Where Warrenton Students Practice Driving

What makes Warrenton unique for training is the variety of road conditions within a short drive. Here's what training looks like:

  • Downtown Warrenton grid - Traffic signals, stop signs, and pedestrian crossings. Students practice navigating the historic town center with its mix of one-way streets and tight intersections.
  • US-29 (Lee Highway) - A busier commercial corridor with multi-lane traffic, traffic lights, and lane changes. Good practice for higher-speed driving and reading road signs at commercial intersections.
  • US-17 (Winchester Road) - Connects Warrenton to points north, with varying speed limits and a mix of residential and commercial zones.
  • Rural Fauquier County roads - Two-lane roads with curves, hills, and limited sight lines. Students learn to handle varying road conditions and share the road with slower traffic.

This range of environments prepares students thoroughly for the road skills test and for real-world driving. Mr. Arsel tailors each lesson to build confidence and skill.

What's Included

Behind the wheel is $340 for the complete program: 7 appointments with a DMV-certified instructor, a training vehicle, the road skills test, and your DTS-B certificate. The Behind the Wheel + DE bundle is $540. See the full program details and pricing breakdown.

For Teens & Adults

Virginia requires teens under 18 to complete behind the wheel and pass the road skills test to get their license. A Driver Education certificate is required first. Adults 18+ only need a Learner's Permit. See the behind the wheel overview for full details on how the program works for each age group.

Services

Driver Education

$200

The first step to getting your driver's license for teenagers and adults. This provides a 30-hour classroom of driver's ed.

More We offer a flexible schedule. Instructors will meet at our driving school office in Haymarket, or other arrangements can be made as needed. Completing this is a prerequisite before being allowed to take Behind the Wheel and receive your driver's license.
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Behind the Wheel

$340

A one week course starting on Monday and ending with the driver receiving their license on Sunday.

More The Virginia DMV requires that students have a total of 7 appointments, each lasting at least an hour and 40 minutes consisting of 50 minutes driving and 50 minutes observing another student. In the final session, the Behind the Wheel road skills test is performed and the student either passes or fails. Before taking this, the student must have a learner's permit and have already completed Driver Education .
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Driver Improvement Course

$100

An 8-hour program that teaches defensive driving. This course is often required by a court or the DMV .

More This can also be taken voluntarily to obtain 5 safe driving points . Students can expect to learn how to manage risks, distractions, aggression, and unexpected situations while driving. This class meets at our Haymarket driving school office on weekends about every other week. At Abba, we get that courses like this aren't fun to take, so we try to make it as easy as possible.
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Driver Improvement Course ‑ Online

$100

The same 8-hour defensive driving course, taken online at your own pace. Get instant access after payment.

More All testing is done online. Your course completion is posted to the DMV within 24 hours. A help desk is available Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST. You must pass each chapter exam with at least 80% before moving on.
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Re‑examination / 3x Failure Course

$120

Individuals Age 18 and above do not have to take the classroom component of driver education to take the Driver's Manual course.

Individuals 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. Please note: a certificate of completion for the Driver's Manual course 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.

REGISTRATION   —    Behind the Wheel

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start behind the wheel in Warrenton?

Register online or call (703) 754-4444. Teens need a valid Virginia Learner's Permit, a signed Driver Education Certificate of Completion, and a driving log with at least 45 hours (15 after sunset). Adults 18+ only need a Learner's Permit.

Where do driving lessons take place in Warrenton?

Lessons start and end at Eva Walker Park, which serves as our Warrenton staging area. From there, Mr. Arsel takes students through Warrenton's downtown grid, out along US-29 (Lee Highway) and US-17 (Winchester Road), and onto the quieter rural roads in Fauquier County.

How much does behind the wheel cost in Warrenton?

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). No hidden fees.

Do you offer student pickup in the Warrenton area?

Pickup availability depends on Mr. Arsel's schedule and the locations of other students that week. Students north of Whitney State Forest are most likely to have pickup available. Call us at (703) 754-4444 to check.

What schools do you serve near Warrenton?

We serve students from Fauquier High School, Kettle Run High School, and the surrounding areas of Fauquier County. If you attend a different school in the area, reach out and we'll work with you on scheduling.

Can adults take behind the wheel in Warrenton?

Yes. Adults 18 and older can take behind the wheel without completing driver education first. You just need a valid Virginia Learner's Permit. Lessons in the Warrenton area start at Eva Walker Park with Mr. Arsel. Read our adult driving lessons guide for full details.

Do you offer behind the wheel on weekends in Warrenton?

Yes. Mr. Arsel schedules behind the wheel appointments seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. Weekend and evening slots are available. Call (703) 754-4444 to confirm availability for your preferred dates.

How long does each behind the wheel appointment last?

Each appointment is at least 1 hour and 40 minutes. Your teen spends about 50 minutes driving and 50 minutes observing another student drive. Warrenton lessons typically cover the downtown grid, US-29, US-17, and rural Fauquier County roads during each session.

What should my teen bring to their first lesson in Warrenton?

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). Meet Mr. Arsel at Eva Walker Park for the first appointment.

Do you provide the car for the road test?

Yes. All behind the wheel appointments, including the road skills test at the 7th appointment, use our training vehicle. Our cars are clean, modern, and equipped with automatic transmissions. They pass yearly DMV inspections.

What happens if my teen fails the road test?

They can retake it. If a student fails once or twice, Mr. Arsel offers 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.

How do I schedule behind the wheel appointments in Warrenton?

Register online or call us at (703) 754-4444. Once registered, we schedule your 7 appointments during a one-week period with Mr. Arsel. Scheduling depends on his availability and the other students in the Warrenton area that week.

Is behind the wheel available in the summer in Warrenton?

Yes. Summer is our busiest season. Many Fauquier County families schedule behind the wheel during summer break so their teen can complete all 7 appointments without school conflicts. Register early in May or June so Mr. Arsel can fit you in.

What's the difference between behind the wheel and driver's ed?

Driver education is the classroom course that teaches traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving principles. Behind the wheel is the in-car training where your teen actually drives with an instructor. Virginia requires both for teens under 18. Driver education must be completed before behind the wheel. See our full comparison.

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. Abba Driving School has been serving Northern Virginia families since 2007. Mr. Arsel, our dedicated Warrenton instructor, is DMV-certified and operates out of the Warrenton area full-time. Learn more about our instructors and vehicles.

Serving Warrenton, VA

Our main office is at 14950 Washington Street #202, Haymarket, VA 20169. Warrenton lessons use Eva Walker Park as the staging area.