The cost for the drivers education program that one must attend as a teen to obtain a driver’s license in Virginia varies depending upon your location in Virginia, if you go to a private driving school or take driver's ed at your local high school.

From what we have read the fees for taking the driver education class in school as an elective is much less than that of going to a private driving school for the in class and behind the wheel training. Costs vary by driving school but the average cost we have see is around $200 for the in class room portion and then $275 for the behind the wheel (in-car) training. By taking driver's education in high school you can cut costs to just fees that the school charges, which schools say to call and find out that exact cost.

As you are aware, if you are a Virginia resident under age 19, you must complete a state-approved driver education program and hold your Virginia learner's permit for at least nine months in order to get a driver's license.

Driver education programs are available statewide to students, adults and out-of-school youths. Public and private school programs are approved by the VA Department of Education. Driver training schools follow the same course content and are licensed by DMV.

In Virginia, the program must present 36 classroom periods. It must include components about alcohol safety, drug abuse awareness, aggressive driving, distracted driving, motorcycle awareness and organ and tissue donation awareness. It must also include 14 in-car instruction periods, 7 periods of driving and 7 periods of observation.

You will receive a driver education completion certificate when you successfully complete a driver education program. A copy of your certificate will be sent by your school instructor to DMV for issuance of a permanent driver's license. If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or legal guardian must sign the certificate to attest to academic standing and to authorize issuance of a driver's license to you.

The driver education certificate of completion is considered part of the driver's license application. Your parent, guardian, or foster parent must provide his or her driver's license or state-issued identification card number and sign the certificate to certify that you have driven at least 45 hours, 15 of which occurred after sunset, and that the statements made and the information submitted on the certificate are true and correct. Certifying false statements can result in prosecution.

To find out what drivers education course cost in your area of Virginia you first need to determine if you will use your high school or a private driving school or you can call both to price out what they each charge in your location to decide which you can afford and fits your schedule best. To find out what driving schools that are approved by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) in your area contact the VA DMV directly or look on their site for a listing.

When you start the licensing process your parents should inform their insurance provider to see if they need to add you to their policy when you start the licensing process or can wait until you obtain your driver's license. Keep in mind that insurance costs for newly licensed teens can be high due to the inexperience of the driver and thus risk he or she poses to the insurance provider. Learn about teen driving insurance rates here and then click here to get your young driver car insurance needs.