How much does driver education cost in Virginia? If you’re a parent planning ahead for your teen’s driver training, understanding how much you’ll spend on Driver’s Ed is one of the first questions to tackle. The cost varies depending on whether your teen takes the course through their public school, a licensed private driving school, or an online provider. This guide breaks down every option, explains what’s included in each price range, and helps you figure out the best value for your family.
Abba Driving School: $200 for the Full Course
At Abba Driving School in Haymarket, VA, our complete Driver Education course costs $200. That single price covers everything your teen needs to complete Virginia’s driver education requirements and prepare for the learner’s permit exam. There are no hidden fees, no additional charges for materials, and no surprise costs along the way.
What’s Included in the $200
- All 36 classroom sessions: Each session is a minimum of 50 minutes, covering Virginia traffic laws, road signs, defensive driving concepts, hazard recognition, and the responsibilities of being a licensed driver.
- Parent/teen component: The required in-person parent/teen meeting for families in Planning District 8 (Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park) is included as part of the course. You don’t need to arrange this separately.
- Learner’s permit exam preparation: Our curriculum prepares your teen for the two-part knowledge exam at the DMV, covering both road signs and traffic laws.
- DMV-approved curriculum: Abba Driving School is a licensed, DMV-approved provider. The Driver Education Certificate your teen receives upon completion is the same official document issued by any approved school in Virginia.
- Experienced instructors: Our DMV-certified instructors have been teaching since 2011 and know how to keep students engaged throughout the classroom sessions.
- Flexible scheduling: Weekend classroom sessions make it easier for busy families to fit Driver Education into an already full schedule of school, sports, and extracurricular activities.
Payment Methods: Abba Driving School accepts cash or check. Keeping our payment processing simple is one of the reasons we can offer the full Driver Education course at just $200.
Comparing Driver Education Options in Virginia
Virginia parents typically have three choices for driver education: public school programs, private driving schools, and online courses. Each option has a different price point and different trade-offs. The table below shows how they compare.
| Feature | Public School | Private Driving School | Online Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Cost | Free - $100 | $200 - $400 | $30 - $150 |
| 36 Classroom Sessions | Yes | Yes | Yes (virtual) |
| In-Person Instruction | Yes | Yes | No |
| Flexible Scheduling | Limited (school hours) | Yes (evenings/weekends) | Self-paced |
| Parent/Teen Component | Included | Included | Varies |
| Meets VA Requirements for All Students | Yes | Yes | No (restrictions apply) |
| DMV Certificate Issued | Yes | Yes | Yes (with limitations) |
Public School Driver Education: Free to $100
Many Virginia public high schools offer Driver Education as part of their curriculum, often at no cost or for a small administrative fee. If your teen’s school offers this program, it can be the most affordable option available.
However, there are practical limitations. Public school programs run on the school’s schedule, which means limited availability during summer, long waitlists during the school year, and little flexibility if your teen has scheduling conflicts. Some schools have reduced or eliminated their driver education programs due to budget constraints, so this option may not be available at your teen’s school. If your teen is homeschooled or attends a private school that does not offer the program, public school Driver Education is typically not an option.
Private Driving Schools: $200 to $400
Licensed private driving schools in Virginia generally charge between $200 and $400 for the complete Driver Education course. The price depends on the school’s location, the services included, and the scheduling options available.
At the lower end of this range, you’ll find schools like Abba Driving School that keep costs down by operating efficiently and accepting low-overhead payment methods. At the higher end, schools in Northern Virginia’s more urban areas may charge $300 to $400 for the same DMV-approved curriculum. In either case, private schools offer the advantage of flexible scheduling, smaller class sizes, and availability throughout the year, including summer sessions.
When comparing private school prices, make sure you’re comparing what’s included. Some schools quote a base price that doesn’t cover the parent/teen component, materials, or other fees that get added later. Abba’s $200 price is fully inclusive with no add-ons.
Online Driver Education: $30 to $150
Online driver education courses are the lowest-cost option, typically ranging from $30 to $150. These programs allow your teen to complete the classroom sessions at their own pace from a computer or tablet. For some families, the flexibility and low cost are appealing.
However, there is an important restriction that many parents don’t realize until it’s too late: online-only driver education does not satisfy Virginia requirements for students enrolled in public or private schools that offer an approved program. Virginia Code requires these students to complete driver education through their school or through an in-person program at a licensed driving school. Online courses are generally available as an option for homeschooled students and adults. If your teen attends a public or private school, an online-only course may not be accepted, which means you’d have to pay for the course a second time through an approved provider.
Before enrolling in an online course, verify with the Virginia DMV or your teen’s school that it will satisfy the requirement. The last thing you want is to spend money on a course that doesn’t count.
The Total Cost of Getting Your Teen Licensed
Driver Education is just one part of the overall cost of getting your teen a Virginia driver’s license. Understanding the full picture helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.
- Driver Education: $200. The classroom course at Abba Driving School, covering all 36 sessions and the parent/teen component.
- Behind the Wheel: $340. The in-car training program, which includes 7 appointments, a DMV-certified instructor, the training vehicle, the road skills test, and the DTS-B certificate. Pickup may be available in your area.
- Total for both: $540. When you complete both Driver Education and Behind the Wheel at Abba Driving School, the combined cost is $540. This covers your teen’s entire driver training from the first classroom session to the road skills test.
There are also a few smaller fees paid directly to the Virginia DMV:
- Learner’s permit application fee: A standard DMV fee paid when your teen applies for their permit.
- Driver’s license fee: A standard DMV fee paid when your teen receives their license after completing all requirements.
These DMV fees are the same regardless of which driving school you choose and are relatively modest compared to the training costs.
At $540 total for both Driver Education and Behind the Wheel, Abba Driving School is one of the most affordable complete driver training options in Northern Virginia. Based on published pricing, some area schools charge $400 to $600 for Behind the Wheel alone, which means their total cost can reach $700 to $1,000 or more before your teen is fully licensed.
Why the Cheapest Option Is Not Always the Best
When looking at driver education costs, it’s tempting to go with the lowest price. A $50 online course looks a lot better than a $200 classroom course on paper. But the cheapest option can end up costing you more in the long run if it doesn’t meet Virginia’s requirements or doesn’t adequately prepare your teen.
As discussed above, online-only courses have restrictions on who can use them to satisfy Virginia requirements. If your teen is enrolled in a public or private school that offers driver education, an online course may not be accepted. Discovering this after the fact means paying for driver education twice: once for the online course that was not accepted and again for an in-person course that is.
Beyond eligibility, there is the question of quality. Driver Education is not just about checking a box. A well-taught course with an engaged instructor helps your teen actually understand traffic laws and defensive driving concepts, not just memorize answers for the permit test. Students who are well-prepared in the classroom tend to perform better during behind the wheel training, need fewer extra lessons, and are more likely to pass the road skills test on their first attempt. In a classroom setting, your teen can ask questions, participate in discussions, and benefit from real-world examples that an experienced instructor brings to each session. This interaction is difficult to replicate in a self-paced online course.
Long-Term Savings to Consider
The cost of driver education is an investment, not just an expense. Teens who complete a full driver training program, including both classroom education and behind the wheel instruction, tend to be safer drivers. That translates into real financial benefits:
- Insurance discounts: Many insurance companies offer discounts for teen drivers who have completed approved driver training programs. Even a modest discount can save your family hundreds of dollars per year on premiums.
- Fewer accidents and citations: Better-prepared drivers are less likely to be involved in accidents or receive traffic tickets, which keeps your insurance rates lower over time.
- Avoiding re-examination costs: Teens who are well-prepared through quality driver education are more likely to pass the road skills test on their first attempt, avoiding the cost of additional lessons and re-testing.
When you factor in these long-term savings, the $200 investment in driver education at Abba Driving School pays for itself many times over. For a more detailed look at how the full timeline plays out from enrollment to license, visit our teen license timeline guide.
Get Started with Driver Education at Abba Driving School
At $200 for the complete DMV-approved course, Abba Driving School offers one of the best values for driver education in Northern Virginia. Our program includes everything your teen needs: all 36 classroom sessions, the parent/teen component, permit exam preparation, and a Driver Education Certificate that satisfies Virginia requirements.
We serve families throughout Haymarket, Gainesville, Bristow, Warrenton, and the surrounding areas of Prince William and Fauquier counties. Our experienced instructors have been teaching since 2011, and we are ready to help your family too.
Register for Driver Education today and take the first step toward your teen’s Virginia driver’s license.