If you homeschool your teen in Virginia, you may be wondering how driver education works without a public school program to fall back on. The good news is that Virginia gives homeschooled students a clear pathway, and homeschoolers actually have more flexibility than their public or private school peers when choosing how to fulfill the classroom requirement. This guide covers everything homeschooling parents need to know, from required DMV forms to course options and how to pair online classroom work with in-person behind the wheel training.
Homeschoolers Can Use Online-Only Driver Education
One of the biggest advantages for homeschooled students in Virginia is that they are eligible to complete the classroom portion of driver education entirely online. This is a significant distinction. Students enrolled in public or private schools are generally required to complete driver education through their school or through a licensed in-person driving school. Homeschooled students, however, can use a Virginia DMV-approved online course to fulfill the 36-session classroom requirement.
This online option lets your teen work through the lessons at their own pace, on their own time, from home. The course covers the same DMV-approved curriculum taught in person: traffic laws, road signs, hazard recognition, defensive driving, and the responsibilities that come with a Virginia driver’s license.
For families weighing both approaches, our guide on online vs. in-person driver education breaks down the pros and cons in detail.
Required DMV Forms for Homeschooled Students
Before your homeschooled teen can enroll in any driver education program, you need the proper documentation on file with the Virginia Department of Education. Two specific forms are required.
HS-1: Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction
The HS-1 form is the official Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction. It must be filed with your local school division’s superintendent by August 15 of each school year (or within 30 days of beginning homeschool instruction if starting mid-year). The HS-1 establishes your teen’s status as a homeschooled student. Without this form on file, your teen may not be recognized as a homeschool student for driver education purposes.
HS-3: Proof of Home Instruction
The HS-3 form serves as Proof of Home Instruction, confirming that your teen is actively receiving home instruction in compliance with Virginia law. The driving school or online provider may request the HS-3 as verification of your teen’s homeschool status, so keep a copy readily accessible during the enrollment process.
Both forms are available through the Virginia Department of Education. If you have been homeschooling for a while, you likely already have the HS-1 on file. Just make sure it is current for the school year in which your teen plans to start driver education.
The Full Driver Education Requirements Still Apply
Whether your teen completes the classroom portion online or in person, the overall Virginia driver education requirements remain the same:
- 36 classroom sessions (each a minimum of 50 minutes) covering Virginia traffic laws, road signs, defensive driving, and driver responsibilities
- 7 in-car driving sessions and 7 in-car observation sessions with a DMV-certified instructor
- A road skills exam administered during the final in-car session
The classroom portion is the piece that homeschoolers can complete online. However, the in-car driving sessions, observation sessions, and road skills exam must be completed through a licensed driving school with a certified instructor in the vehicle. There is no online substitute for behind the wheel training.
The Parent/Teen Component in Planning District 8
Virginia requires a parent/teen component as part of driver education, and the format depends on where you live. If your family is in Planning District 8, which covers Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park, this component must be completed in person. Other parts of Virginia may offer an online alternative, but families in this area must attend together.
The parent/teen meeting covers:
- Your responsibilities as the supervising driver during the learner’s permit phase
- How to effectively coach your teen during practice driving sessions
- Virginia’s graduated licensing restrictions, including passenger limits and curfew rules
- The 45-hour driving log requirement and how to track it properly
This requirement applies to homeschooled students the same as every other teen. If your teen completes the classroom portion online, you will still need to fulfill the parent/teen component through your driving school. At Abba Driving School in Haymarket, VA, we coordinate this in-person session as part of our program, so Planning District 8 families do not need to arrange it separately.
Pairing Online Driver Education with Abba’s Behind the Wheel Training
Many homeschooling families have their teen complete the 36 classroom sessions online and then enroll with a local driving school for the behind the wheel portion. This is one of the most popular pathways for homeschooled students in Virginia, and here is how it works:
- Your teen completes the online classroom course and receives the DTS 36 certificate (classroom completion).
- You enroll your teen with a licensed driving school for the 7 in-car driving sessions and 7 observation sessions.
- Your teen completes the in-car training and takes the road skills exam during the final session.
- Upon passing, the driving school issues the DTS B certificate, which serves as a temporary license for up to 180 days.
Abba Driving School in Haymarket, VA works with homeschooling families throughout Prince William County, Gainesville, Bristow, Warrenton, and the surrounding areas. Whether your teen completed the classroom online or through another provider, we handle the in-car driving sessions, observation sessions, road skills exam, and the required parent/teen component. Pickup may be available for in-car sessions; contact us for details.
When choosing a driving school, look for DMV approval, experience with homeschool students, flexible scheduling, and annual background checks on all instructors. Abba Driving School has served families in the greater Prince William County area since 2011, and our DMV-certified instructors understand exactly how the online-to-in-person pathway works.
Building a Timeline for Your Homeschooled Teen
Planning ahead is important because you are coordinating multiple pieces on your own rather than following a school-based schedule. Here is a recommended timeline:
- Confirm your HS-1 and HS-3 forms are current with your local school division.
- At age 15 years and 6 months, your teen applies for a learner’s permit at the DMV.
- Enroll in an online or in-person driver education classroom course and begin the 36 sessions.
- Start logging supervised practice hours. Virginia requires 45 hours, with at least 15 hours after sunset.
- Enroll with a driving school for behind the wheel training once the classroom portion is complete.
- Complete the parent/teen component (in person for Planning District 8 families).
- Finish all 7 driving and 7 observation sessions, culminating in the road skills exam.
- At age 16 years and 3 months (and after holding the permit for at least 9 months), your teen becomes eligible for a driver’s license.
For a full breakdown of each milestone, see our Virginia teen license timeline guide. Understanding the behind the wheel requirements early also helps you plan the in-car portion without delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dual-enrolled teen use online Driver Education?
If your teen is dual-enrolled (taking some classes at a public or private school while also being homeschooled), eligibility for online Driver Education depends on their official enrollment status. If they are primarily classified as a homeschool student with the HS-1 on file, they may be eligible for online Driver Education. However, if they are officially enrolled in the public or private school’s program, online-only Driver Education may not be accepted. Check with the Virginia DMV or your school division to confirm before enrolling.
What if we started homeschooling mid-year?
If you begin homeschooling after the school year has already started, file your HS-1 form within 30 days of beginning home instruction. Once the HS-1 is on file, your teen becomes eligible for the homeschool pathway to driver education. There is no waiting period beyond getting the paperwork filed.
Does the HS-1 need to be filed before enrolling in Driver Education?
Yes. The driving school or online provider will need proof that your teen is a homeschool student, and the HS-1 is the document that establishes this. Make sure your HS-1 is current for the school year in which your teen plans to start Driver Education.
Tips for Choosing an Online Driver Education Provider
If you decide to go the online route for the classroom portion, here are a few things to verify before enrolling:
- Virginia DMV approval: Confirm the provider is on the Virginia DMV’s list of approved schools. Not every online course that claims to work in Virginia actually does.
- Course format: Some online courses are entirely self-paced, while others have scheduled video sessions. Choose the format that works best for your teen’s learning style.
- Customer support: Make sure the provider has a way to contact them if there are technical issues or questions about the curriculum.
- Certificate delivery: Ask how and when the DTS 36 certificate is issued. Some providers mail physical certificates, which can add days to your timeline.
- Refund policy: Understand the refund terms before paying, in case the course does not work out.
A Note About Homeschool Co-Ops
Some homeschool co-ops in Virginia organize group driver education sessions for their members. If your co-op offers this, it can be a convenient option since your teen studies alongside peers they already know. Make sure the instructor or school running the co-op’s Driver Education sessions is DMV-approved and can issue the official DTS 36 certificate.
For a full breakdown of how much driver education costs across different options, see our Driver Education cost guide.
Get Started Today
Whether your teen completes the classroom portion online or in person, the next step is pairing that education with professional behind the wheel training from a licensed school. If you are a homeschooling parent in Prince William County or the surrounding Northern Virginia area, Abba Driving School is here to help. Register today and give your teen the hands-on training they need to drive safely and independently.