One of the most common misconceptions about Driver Education in Virginia is that it’s only for teenagers. In reality, adults who have never held a driver’s license can benefit significantly from completing a Driver Education course. Whether you’re 19 or 59, if you’re getting your first Virginia driver’s license, understanding the role that Driver Education plays in the licensing process could save you weeks of waiting and eliminate the need to take the DMV road skills test altogether.
This guide explains how Driver Education works for adults in Virginia, lays out the two pathways to getting your license, and helps you decide which route makes the most sense for your situation.
Do Adults Need Driver Education in Virginia?
The short answer is no. Virginia does not legally require adults aged 18 and older to complete Driver Education before getting a driver’s license. Unlike teens under 18, who must finish a state-approved Driver Education classroom course before they can even begin behind the wheel training, adults have the option to skip it entirely.
However, “not required” does not mean “not beneficial.” Adults who complete Driver Education receive significant advantages that make the entire licensing process faster and easier. Before you decide to skip Driver Education, make sure you understand both pathways and what each one actually involves.
Two Pathways to Your Virginia Driver’s License
As an adult first-time driver in Virginia, you have two distinct pathways to earn your license. Each pathway has different requirements, timelines, and costs. The pathway you choose directly affects how long the process takes and whether you need to pass the DMV road skills test.
Pathway 1: Complete Driver Education (Recommended)
This is the faster route. When you complete a Virginia-approved Driver Education course, you receive a DTS D certificate (Driver Training School certificate, Form D). This certificate provides two major advantages:
- The 60-day learner’s permit holding period is waived. Instead of waiting two full months after receiving your permit, you can move directly to behind the wheel training and testing.
- The DMV road skills test is waived. You do not need to schedule or pass a separate road test at the DMV. Your road skills evaluation is completed through your driving school.
After completing Driver Education and passing the in-school road skills evaluation, you receive your DTS D certificate and can take it directly to the DMV to obtain your driver’s license. No 60-day wait. No DMV road test line.
Pathway 2: Skip Driver Education
If you choose not to take Driver Education, Virginia still provides a path to licensure, but it requires more steps and more time:
- Obtain your Virginia learner’s permit by passing the DMV knowledge exam.
- Hold the learner’s permit for a minimum of 60 days.
- Complete a behind the wheel driving skills checklist with a licensed driver.
- Schedule and pass the DMV road skills test at a Virginia DMV location.
This pathway works, but it means a longer timeline and the added pressure of taking the official DMV road test. Many first-time test-takers find it harder than expected.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Both Pathways
| Factor | Pathway 1: With Driver Education | Pathway 2: Without Driver Education |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Education course | Yes, 30 hours of classroom instruction ($200) | Not required |
| Learner’s permit hold | Waived | 60 days minimum |
| DMV road skills test | Waived | Required (must schedule and pass at DMV) |
| Behind the wheel training | Recommended (separate from Driver Education) | Recommended (complete BTW checklist) |
| DTS D certificate | Yes (issued upon completion) | Not applicable |
| Estimated timeline | As fast as 2-4 weeks | 60+ days minimum |
| Total steps | Fewer (Driver Education simplifies the process) | More (permit hold, checklist, DMV test) |
For most adults, Pathway 1 is the clear winner. The $200 investment in Driver Education eliminates the 60-day waiting period and removes the DMV road test from your to-do list. That alone is worth the cost for many people.
What Is the DTS D Certificate?
The DTS D certificate is the official document issued to adults who complete a Virginia-approved Driver Education program through a licensed driving school. It is the adult equivalent of the documentation that teens receive after finishing their Driver Education and behind the wheel requirements.
When you present your DTS D certificate at the DMV, it serves as proof that you have completed the classroom instruction component and are eligible for the waiver of both the 60-day permit holding period and the DMV road skills test. This certificate is what makes Pathway 1 so much more efficient than Pathway 2.
The DTS D certificate is issued by your driving school after you successfully complete the full Driver Education course. Keep this document safe, as you will need to bring it to the DMV when you apply for your driver’s license.
What Does the Adult Driver Education Course Cover?
Driver Education for adults covers the same foundational material that teen students learn, but the pacing and format are designed for adult learners. The course includes 30 hours of classroom instruction covering:
- Virginia traffic laws and regulations: Right-of-way rules, speed limits, traffic signals, and pavement markings.
- Road signs and their meanings: Regulatory, warning, and guide signs that you’ll encounter on Virginia roads.
- Defensive driving techniques: How to anticipate hazards, maintain safe following distances, and respond to aggressive or distracted drivers.
- Impaired and distracted driving: The legal consequences and real-world dangers of driving under the influence or while using a phone.
- Sharing the road: How to safely interact with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and commercial vehicles.
- Emergency situations: What to do during a tire blowout, brake failure, or skid.
At Abba Driving School in Haymarket, VA, our DMV-certified instructors deliver the adult Driver Education course in a practical, no-nonsense format. The material is practical and focused on what you actually need to know to drive safely in Virginia. You won’t feel like you’re sitting in a high school classroom.
Why Adults Should Seriously Consider Driver Education
Even though Driver Education is optional for adults, here are the concrete reasons why completing it is almost always the smarter choice:
Save Time with the 60-Day Waiver
The 60-day permit holding period is one of the biggest frustrations for adult learners. If you need your license for a new job, for family responsibilities, or simply to stop depending on others for rides, waiting two months can feel like an eternity. Completing Driver Education eliminates that waiting period entirely, allowing you to move through the process on your own schedule.
Avoid the DMV Road Test
The DMV road skills test is a source of anxiety for many adult drivers. Between scheduling delays, unfamiliar testing routes, and the pressure of a formal examination, it’s an experience most people would prefer to skip. With the DTS D certificate from your Driver Education course, you don’t have to take the DMV road test at all. Your driving evaluation is handled through your driving school in a familiar environment with instructors you already know.
Build a Solid Foundation of Knowledge
Even if you’ve been riding in cars your entire life, there’s a significant difference between being a passenger and understanding the rules, responsibilities, and decision-making that driving requires. The classroom instruction in Driver Education gives you a thorough understanding of Virginia traffic law and safe driving practices that will serve you for the rest of your driving life.
Confidence Behind the Wheel
Adults who complete Driver Education consistently report feeling more confident when they start their behind the wheel training. The classroom knowledge gives you context for what your instructor teaches during in-car lessons. You understand why you’re checking mirrors, why you yield in certain situations, and what the signs and markings on the road actually mean.
Driver Education vs. Behind the Wheel: What Adults Need to Know
Driver Education and behind the wheel training are two separate services, and it’s important to understand how they work together.
- Driver Education is the classroom-based course covering traffic laws, road signs, and driving theory. At Abba Driving School, the adult Driver Education course costs $200.
- Behind the Wheel (BTW) is the in-car driving instruction where you learn the physical skills of operating a vehicle. Abba’s BTW program costs $340 and includes instruction, the road skills test, and your certificate.
While Driver Education is not a prerequisite for Behind the Wheel for adults, completing both gives you the most thorough preparation. Driver Education provides the knowledge foundation, and BTW builds the practical driving skills on top of it. For more details about what adult behind the wheel lessons include, visit our adult behind the wheel guide.
For a full breakdown of pricing for both services, see our Driver Education cost guide and our behind the wheel cost guide.
How to Get Started as an Adult
Getting your Virginia driver’s license as an adult is a simple process, especially if you choose the Driver Education pathway. Here is how to begin:
- Register for Driver Education at Abba Driving School. The adult Driver Education course is $200 and is available with flexible scheduling to accommodate working adults. Visit our registration page to sign up.
- Complete the 30-hour classroom course. Attend all sessions and absorb the material. Our instructors keep the content engaging and relevant to real-world driving.
- Obtain your Virginia learner’s permit. Visit any Virginia DMV location to take the knowledge exam. With the material fresh from your Driver Education course, you’ll be well prepared.
- Register for behind the wheel lessons. Once you have your permit, sign up for adult BTW lessons to get hands-on driving instruction with a certified instructor.
- Complete your road skills evaluation and receive your DTS D certificate. Because you completed Driver Education, there’s no 60-day wait and no DMV road test required.
- Visit the DMV with your certificate. Bring your DTS D certificate to any Virginia DMV location to receive your official driver’s license.
You do not have to do this alone. Abba Driving School in Haymarket, VA has helped hundreds of adult students get their Virginia driver’s license since 2011. Our DMV-certified instructors are patient, professional, and experienced at working with adults of all ages and backgrounds. For a full overview of what Virginia requires, visit our Virginia Driver Education requirements guide.
Register for Driver Education today and take the fastest path to your Virginia driver’s license.