Abba
Driving School

Driver Education in Virginia

DMV-approved 30-hour course for teens and adults.

$200 online & in-person
Enroll Now (703) 754-4444
DMV-Certified Since 2007 · ★★★★★ 5.0/5 (278 reviews) · 14950 Washington St #202, Haymarket, VA · (703) 754-4444

We provide online and in-person driver education options for teenagers and adults!

Virginia requires students under 18 to complete an approved driver education program before getting a driver's license. The classroom course comes before the required behind the wheel training. Adult requirements depend on age and the date the license is issued. We offer the 30-hour classroom component online and in person, with flexible scheduling.

If you want the local version of this service, start with driver education in Haymarket, driver education in Gainesville, driver education in Bristow, or driver education in Warrenton. Those pages explain whether the best fit for your area is online, in-person at our Haymarket office, or a combination of both.

Driver Education Pricing

Online Course

$200

Same 30-hour DMV-approved curriculum, completed at your own pace from home. After registration, you will receive an email with everything you need to start.

Register Now

In-Person Course

$200

30-hour DMV-approved classroom course at our Haymarket office. Flexible scheduling for teens and adults.

Register Now

What will I learn in Driver Education?
  • Driving and Mobility
    • Mobility and Driver Education
    • The Highway Transportation System
    • The Risks of Driving
    • The Costs of Driving
  • Administrative and Traffic Laws
    • Administrative Laws
    • Right-of-Way Rules
    • Speed Limits
    • Driver-Condition Laws
  • Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings
    • Regulatory and Warning Signs
    • Guide and International Signs
    • Pavement Markings
    • Traffic-Control Devices
  • Systems and Checks Prior to Driving
    • Comfort and Control Systems
    • Visibility and Protective Systems
    • Information and Communication Systems
    • Checking Your Vehicle Before Driving
  • Basic Control Tasks
    • Using an Automatic Transmission
    • Speed Control
    • Using a Manual Transmission
    • Steering a Vehicle
  • Basic Maneuvers
    • Moving into and out of Traffic
    • Right and Left Turns
    • Steering in Reverse and Making Turnabouts
    • Parking
    • Safe Driving Procedures for Passing and Being Passed
  • Searching and Giving Meaning
    • Sight
    • Sound, Balance, and Touch
    • Scanning, Searching, and Sensing
    • Giving Meaning
  • Options and Responses
    • Options and Choice
    • Responses to Manage Space and Time
    • Managing Visibility
    • Margins of Safety
  • Environments and Traffic Settings
    • Residential Streets
    • Urban and Suburban Streets
    • Multiple-Lane Expressways
    • Rural Roads
  • Intersections
    • Basic Intersections
    • Railroad Crossings
    • Roundabouts
    • Complex Intersections
    • Interchanges
  • Sharing the Roadway with Others
    • Driving with Pedestrians and Animals
    • Driving with Bicycles and Motorcycles
    • Driving with Light Trucks and Small Vehicles
    • Driving with Large Vehicles
  • Vehicle Movement
    • Using Appropriate Speed
    • Total Stopping Distance
    • Natural Laws and the Movement of Your Vehicle
    • Natural Laws and Steering and Braking
  • Light and Weather Conditions
    • Driving Safely in Low Light and at Night
    • Visibility, Bright Light, and Glare
    • Minimizing Risk in Rain and Snow
    • Other Hazardous Weather Conditions
  • Environmental Challenges
    • Hill and Mountain Driving
    • Skids
    • Avoiding or Minimizing Crash Damage
    • Challenging Environmental Factors
  • Vehicular Emergencies
    • Engine, Brake and Steering Failures
    • Tire Failure and Other Serious Problems
    • Waiting for Help and Protecting the Scene
    • If You Are Involved in a Collision
  • Physical Readiness
    • Fatigue and Driving
    • Short Term Physical Conditions and Driving
    • Long Term Physical Factors and Driving
  • Psychological and Social Readiness
    • Inattention and Distraction
    • Emotions
    • Norms and Peers
  • Handling Social Pressures
    • Alcohol and You
    • Alcohol and Its Effects
    • Other Drugs' Effect on Driving Ability
    • Preventing Impaired Driving
  • Vehicle Readiness
    • Checking Your Vehicle
    • Maintaining Vehicle Systems
    • Suspension, Steering, Brakes, and Tires
    • Child Safety Seats

Driver Education for Adults 18 and Older

Adult requirements change on January 1, 2027.

Through December 31, 2026, first-time drivers age 18 or older may complete a full state-approved driver education program instead of holding a permit for 60 days and taking the road skills test at DMV. The full program includes both classroom and in-car instruction. This $200 classroom course alone does not qualify for the permit-period or road-test waivers.

For licenses issued on or after January 1, 2027, first-time applicants ages 18 through 20 must complete the approved program and hold their learner's permit for at least 90 days. First-time applicants age 21 and older may still choose between the full program and the 60-day permit path. Read our adult driver education guide for the complete rules and links to Virginia DMV guidance.

Where We Offer Driver Education

Our in-person Driver Education classes are held at our office in Haymarket, VA, with local landing pages for Haymarket, Gainesville, Bristow, and Warrenton so students can choose the classroom or online path that fits their area.

Haymarket Office-based in-person classes or online All services
Gainesville Nearby Haymarket classes or online All services
Bristow Nearby Haymarket classes or online All services
Warrenton Online-first option or Haymarket classes All services

Need a city-specific overview? Start with Haymarket, Gainesville, Bristow, or Warrenton. We also offer online Driver Education for students who prefer a self-paced format from home, and each city page explains how that option fits the local setup.

Driver Education FAQ

How long does driver education take?
The Virginia DMV requires 30 hours of classroom instruction for driver education. How quickly you finish depends on the format. In-person classes follow a set schedule over several weeks. Online driver education is self-paced, so motivated students can complete it faster. Either way, the course covers the same 30-hour curriculum.
Is online driver education available?
Yes. Abba Driving School offers both online and in-person driver education. Both formats are DMV-approved and open to all students. Online driver education lets you work at your own pace from home. See our online driver education page for details, read our comparison of online vs. in-person formats, or go straight to the city pages for Gainesville, Bristow, Haymarket, and Warrenton.
Who needs driver education in Virginia?
Virginia residents under 18 must complete a state-approved driver education program before getting a license. Through December 31, 2026, first-time drivers age 18 or older may complete the full state-approved program or use the 60-day permit and DMV road-test path. For licenses issued on or after January 1, 2027, first-time applicants ages 18 through 20 must complete the approved program and hold a learner's permit for at least 90 days. Learn more in our guide to driver education for adults.
What's the difference between driver education and behind the wheel?
Driver education is the 30-hour classroom course that covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving principles. Behind the wheel is the in-car training where you actually drive with an instructor. Virginia requires both for teens under 18. Driver education must be completed first, then behind the wheel.
How much does driver education cost?
Driver education at Abba Driving School is $200 for both the in-person and online formats. That includes the full 30-hour course. For families in Planning District 8 (Prince William County), the required parent/teen component is included at no extra charge. See our cost breakdown for details.
Do adults need driver education?
It depends on age and when the license is issued. Through December 31, 2026, a first-time driver age 18 or older may complete the full state-approved driver education program or hold a permit for 60 days and take the road skills test at DMV. For a license issued on or after January 1, 2027, a first-time applicant age 18 through 20 must complete the approved program and hold a permit for at least 90 days. The 30-hour classroom course alone does not complete the full program. Our adult driver education guide explains both sets of rules.

REGISTRATION   /   Driver Education

After registration, you will receive an email with everything you need to start the online course.

Virginia driver's license example from Abba Driving School

Driver Education Guides for Students & Parents

Virginia Driver Education Requirements Classroom hours, certificates, and what's required How to Get a Learner's Permit Eligibility, knowledge exam, and required documents Teen License Timeline Complete journey from permit to license Driver Education for Adults (18+) Licensing paths and the January 2027 change Driver Education Cost Pricing breakdown and what's included Online vs. In-Person Which format is right (and legal) for you Homeschool Driver Education Special rules and options for homeschoolers 45-Hour Driving Log How to track and complete your practice hours Provisional License Restrictions Passenger limits, curfew, and teen driving rules How to Pass the Permit Test Study tips for the signs and knowledge exam Failed 3 Times? What happens and your next steps