Drivers Education
Driver's Education
Getting a driver's license is an exciting time for our students. We are happy to provide the classroom and driving instruction right here on our high school campuses. To be eligible, students must be:
- 14 1/2 years old
- currently attending a school in the Catawba County Schools district OR be home-schooled at a residence in the Catawba County Schools district OR attend a private school that located is in the Catawba County Schools district.
Where and when can I take classes?
Driver education courses, which includes both the required classroom portion and driving portion are available at each of our five high schools, as well as Challenger Early College High School. Students should sign up at the school where they choose to attend their classes. The cost is a $65 non-refundable fee.
If school is closed for inclement weather, then all driver education classes and behind the wheel sessions are cancelled. The driver education instructor will contact you to reschedule classes or behind the wheel sessions.
Coursework Schedules
Class Dates and Times:
If you have questions contact Doug McRee: Doug_McRee@catawbaschools.net | ||
Class Dates | Instructor Hours |
Live Class times Online instruction will meet Google Meet - Hybrid/“In Person @ Bandys High” |
July 7-18 ...ONLINE | 9 am - 1 pm | Google Meet @ 10:00 am - 11:15 AM (7-7,8, 9, 10 7-14, 15, 16, 17.....JULY 18 Make Up only |
August 11-22 ...ONLINE | 9 am - 1 pm | Google Meet @ 10:00 am - 11:15 AM (8-11, 12, 13, 14 8-18, 19, 20, 21.....AUG.22 Make Up only) |
September 8-19 Hybrid IN PERSON @ BHS for instruction | 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm | 2:45 PM - 5:15 PM *MUST BE PRESENT (4 days) 9-8, 9-9, 9-10, 9-11 - MONDAY - THURSDAY NO ABSENCES |
OCTOBER 6-22 ...ONLINE | 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm | Google Meet @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm (10-6,7,8 10-13,14,15 10-20, 21.....OCT.22 Make Up only) |
NOVEMBER 3rd-5th & 10th Hybrid IN PERSON @ BHS for instruction | 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm | 2:45 PM - 5:15 PM *MUST BE PRESENT (4 days)11-3,11-4,11-5 Monday through Wednesday and 11-10 Monday NO ABSENCES |
DECEMBER - NO CLASS | ||
JANUARY 12-23 Hybrid IN PERSON @ BHS for instruction | 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm | 2:45 PM - 5:15 PM *MUST BE PRESENT (4 days) 1-12, 1-13, 1-14, 1-15- MONDAY - THURSDAY NO ABSENCES |
FEBRUARY 2-13 ONLINE | 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm | Google Meet @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm (2-2, 3, 4, 5 2-9, 10, 11, 12 .....FEB.13 Make Up only |
MARCH 2-13 Hybrid IN PERSON @ BHS for instruction | 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm | 2:45 PM - 5:15 PM *MUST BE PRESENT (4 days) 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5- MONDAY - THURSDAY NO ABSENCES |
APRIL 20 - MAY 1 ...ONLINE | 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm | Google Meet @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm 4-20, 21, 22, 23 4-27, 28, 29, 30.....MAY 1 - Make Up only |
MAY NO CLASS | ||
JUNE 1- 12 ...ONLINE | 9 am - 1 pm | Google Meet @ 10:00 am - 11:15 AM 6-1, 2, 3, 4 6-8, 9, 10, 11.....June 12 Make Up only |
Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Bandys. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Bandys High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Bandys, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact: Doug McRee
doug_mcree@catawbaschools.net
p. 828-241-1471
Class Dates and Times:
August 4th -8th 9 : 00 to 4 :00
September 8 - 19th 4:00 to 7:00
October 6 -17 (in person ) 3:00 to 6:00
December 1-12 4:00 to 7:00
February 2nd - 13th 4:00 to 7:00
March 2nd - 13th (in person) 3:00 to 6:00
May 4th- 15th 4:00 to 7:00
June 8 - 12th 9:00 to 4:00
July 14 - 18 9:00 to 4:00
Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Bunker Hill. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Bunker Hill High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Bunker Hill the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact Todd Setzer
todd_setzer@catawbaschools.
p. 828-241-3355
Class Dates and Times:
September 4 - 17, 2024 | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Online |
December 2-13, 2024 | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Online |
March 24- April 4, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Online |
June 2 - 13, 2025 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Online |
Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Challenger on the CVCC campus. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Challenger Early College High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Challenger the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Dennis Whitener
dennis_whitener@catawbaschools.net
Jennifer Dessecker
jennifer_dessecker@catawbaschools.net
p. 828-485-2980
Class Dates and Times:
July 8 th -23 rd 10am-1pm in person
August 4 th -19 th 9am-12pm online
September 8 th -23 rd 3:30-6:30pm online
October 7 th -22 nd 2:45-5:45pm in person
November 3 rd -20 th 3:30-6:30pm online
December none
January 12 th -28 th 3:30-6:30pm online
February 9 th -25 th 2:45-5:45pm in person
March 9 th -25 th 3:30-6:30pm online
April/May 27 th -12 th 2:45-5:45pm in person
June 1 st -16 th 9am-12pm online
(All Fridays during each class will be off)
Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Fred T. Foard. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Fred T. Foard High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Fred T. Foard the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact: Scott Williams
scott_williams@catawbaschools.net
p. 704-462-1496
Class Dates and Times:
2025-2026 Drivers Ed Schedule Maiden HS
Aug 4 - Aug 15 2025 Online
Week 1 8/4 - 8/8 6 PM - 9 PM
Week 2 8/11 - 8/15 8 AM - 11 AM
Oct 6 - Oct 17 2025 Online
6 PM - 9 PM
Dec 1 - Dec 12 2025 In Person
2:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Feb 3 - Feb 13 2026 Online
6 PM - 9 PM
April 13 - April 24 2026 Online
6 PM - 9 PM
June 1 - June 12 2026 In Person
8 AM - 11 AM
Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Maiden High. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Maiden High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Maiden High the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact: Mark Herman
mark_herman@catawbaschools.net
p. 828-428-8197
Class Dates and Times:
Dates | Times | Format | Instructor |
August 4-8 | 8:00am-2:00pm | In-Person | Chris Knighton |
September 3-16 | 6:00-9:00 | On-Line | Lance Watson |
October 6-17 | 6:00-9:00 | On-Line | Chris Knighton |
December 1-12 | 6:00-9:00 | On-Line | Lance Watson |
February 2-13 | 6:00-9:00 | On-Line | Chris Knighton |
March 2-13 | 6:00-9:00 | On-Line | Lance watson |
May 4-15 | 6:00-9:00 | On-Line | Lance Watson |
June 8-12 | 8:00am-2:00pm | In-Person | Chris Knighton |
Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at St. Stephens High. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "St. Stephens High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at St. Stephens High the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact:
Jim Woodruff at jim_woodruff@catawbaschools.net
Chantel Bedington at chantel_bedington@catawbaschools.net
p. 828-256-9841
-
Class Dates and Times:
If you have questions contact Doug McRee: Doug_McRee@catawbaschools.net Class Dates Instructor
HoursLive Class times
Online instruction will meet Google Meet - Hybrid/“In Person @ Bandys High”July 7-18 ...ONLINE 9 am - 1 pm Google Meet @ 10:00 am - 11:15 AM (7-7,8, 9, 10 7-14, 15, 16, 17.....JULY 18 Make Up only August 11-22 ...ONLINE 9 am - 1 pm Google Meet @ 10:00 am - 11:15 AM (8-11, 12, 13, 14 8-18, 19, 20, 21.....AUG.22 Make Up only) September 8-19 Hybrid IN PERSON @ BHS for instruction 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm 2:45 PM - 5:15 PM *MUST BE PRESENT (4 days) 9-8, 9-9, 9-10, 9-11 - MONDAY - THURSDAY NO ABSENCES OCTOBER 6-22 ...ONLINE 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Google Meet @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm (10-6,7,8 10-13,14,15 10-20, 21.....OCT.22 Make Up only) NOVEMBER 3rd-5th & 10th Hybrid IN PERSON @ BHS for instruction 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm 2:45 PM - 5:15 PM *MUST BE PRESENT (4 days)11-3,11-4,11-5 Monday through Wednesday and 11-10 Monday NO ABSENCES DECEMBER - NO CLASS JANUARY 12-23 Hybrid IN PERSON @ BHS for instruction 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm 2:45 PM - 5:15 PM *MUST BE PRESENT (4 days) 1-12, 1-13, 1-14, 1-15- MONDAY - THURSDAY NO ABSENCES FEBRUARY 2-13 ONLINE 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Google Meet @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm (2-2, 3, 4, 5 2-9, 10, 11, 12 .....FEB.13 Make Up only MARCH 2-13 Hybrid IN PERSON @ BHS for instruction 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm 2:45 PM - 5:15 PM *MUST BE PRESENT (4 days) 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5- MONDAY - THURSDAY NO ABSENCES APRIL 20 - MAY 1 ...ONLINE 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Google Meet @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm 4-20, 21, 22, 23 4-27, 28, 29, 30.....MAY 1 - Make Up only MAY NO CLASS JUNE 1- 12 ...ONLINE 9 am - 1 pm Google Meet @ 10:00 am - 11:15 AM 6-1, 2, 3, 4 6-8, 9, 10, 11.....June 12 Make Up only Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Bandys. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Bandys High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Bandys, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact: Doug McRee
doug_mcree@catawbaschools.net
p. 828-241-1471 -
Class Dates and Times:
August 4th -8th 9 : 00 to 4 :00
September 8 - 19th 4:00 to 7:00
October 6 -17 (in person ) 3:00 to 6:00
December 1-12 4:00 to 7:00
February 2nd - 13th 4:00 to 7:00
March 2nd - 13th (in person) 3:00 to 6:00
May 4th- 15th 4:00 to 7:00
June 8 - 12th 9:00 to 4:00
July 14 - 18 9:00 to 4:00Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Bunker Hill. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Bunker Hill High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Bunker Hill the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact Todd Setzer
todd_setzer@catawbaschools.net
p. 828-241-3355 -
Class Dates and Times:
September 4 - 17, 2024 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Online December 2-13, 2024 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Online March 24- April 4, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Online June 2 - 13, 2025 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Online Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Challenger on the CVCC campus. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Challenger Early College High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Challenger the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Dennis Whitener
dennis_whitener@catawbaschools.net
Jennifer Dessecker
jennifer_dessecker@catawbaschools.netp. 828-485-2980
-
Class Dates and Times:
July 8 th -23 rd 10am-1pm in person
August 4 th -19 th 9am-12pm online
September 8 th -23 rd 3:30-6:30pm online
October 7 th -22 nd 2:45-5:45pm in person
November 3 rd -20 th 3:30-6:30pm online
December none
January 12 th -28 th 3:30-6:30pm online
February 9 th -25 th 2:45-5:45pm in person
March 9 th -25 th 3:30-6:30pm online
April/May 27 th -12 th 2:45-5:45pm in person
June 1 st -16 th 9am-12pm online
(All Fridays during each class will be off)Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Fred T. Foard. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Fred T. Foard High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Fred T. Foard the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact: Scott Williams
scott_williams@catawbaschools.net
p. 704-462-1496 -
Class Dates and Times:
2025-2026 Drivers Ed Schedule Maiden HS
Aug 4 - Aug 15 2025 Online
Week 1 8/4 - 8/8 6 PM - 9 PM
Week 2 8/11 - 8/15 8 AM - 11 AMOct 6 - Oct 17 2025 Online
6 PM - 9 PMDec 1 - Dec 12 2025 In Person
2:45 PM - 5:45 PMFeb 3 - Feb 13 2026 Online
6 PM - 9 PMApril 13 - April 24 2026 Online
6 PM - 9 PMJune 1 - June 12 2026 In Person
8 AM - 11 AMEligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at Maiden High. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "Maiden High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at Maiden High the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact: Mark Herman
mark_herman@catawbaschools.net
p. 828-428-8197 -
Class Dates and Times:
Dates Times Format Instructor August 4-8 8:00am-2:00pm In-Person Chris Knighton September 3-16 6:00-9:00 On-Line Lance Watson October 6-17 6:00-9:00 On-Line Chris Knighton December 1-12 6:00-9:00 On-Line Lance Watson February 2-13 6:00-9:00 On-Line Chris Knighton March 2-13 6:00-9:00 On-Line Lance watson May 4-15 6:00-9:00 On-Line Lance Watson June 8-12 8:00am-2:00pm In-Person Chris Knighton Eligibility:
Students must be 14.5 years of age on the first day of class to participate.
Signing Up:
If interested and eligible, you may sign up at the main office at St. Stephens High. Each student will have to provide a Gmail email address, preferably your school email (ccsk12.net).
Cost:
The $65.00 Driver’s Education fee must be paid at the time of the signup. Checks should be made payable to: "St. Stephens High School."
Canvas:
After signing up at St. Stephens High the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will send you an invite for the class through the email you submitted at the time of sign-ups. The email will be from NCDPI Drivers Education and will come within a week of the class starting. You will create an account in Canvas using that email. You can not take the course using the Canvas program you use for your regular school work.
Other Information:
This class is limited to 25 students with a 10 student waiting list. This class will be assigned as first come, first serve.
For Any Questions Or Concerns:
Contact:
Jim Woodruff at jim_woodruff@catawbaschools.net
Chantel Bedington at chantel_bedington@catawbaschools.netp. 828-256-9841
-
The cost for the driver education course, which includes both the classroom portion and driving portion, costs $65. Checks may be made payable to the school where the student chooses to take the course and is non-refundable.
There are separate fees paid to the NC DMV when you apply for your driver's license. Please see the section called "What does NC require to get my driver's license?"
-
- Students who are at least 14½ years old and are pursuing a high school diploma or GED can enroll in an approved driver education course provided through North Carolina high schools. A birth certificate or passport is required to enroll.
- Driver education courses consist of two phases :
- A classroom portion, which involves 30 hours of instruction and an eye exam.
- A driving phase, which involves six hours behind the wheel
- Upon successful completion of both phases, students receive a Driver's Education Certificate, which allows them to apply for a Level One Limited Learner Permit, the first level of North Carolina's graduated licensing process for drivers under age 18 (Details below).
- NC's graduated licensing process is a phased approach to receiving your unrestricted driver's license. Details here.
- Level 1: Limited Learner Permit ($21.50 paid to DMV) - Between ages 15 and 17, you may go to the DMV (?) and apply for your "Limited Learner Permit" if you have completed the classroom and driving courses and received your eligibility certificate, passed the written, sign, and vision tests (where do you take these? the DMV?). Supervised driving is restricted to 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the first six months; thereafter, a supervising driver is still required.
- Level 2: "Limited Provisional License" ($21.50 paid to DMV) - At age 16, you may apply for your "limited provisional license" if you have had your "Limited Learner Permit" for at least 6 months and logged at least 60 hours of driving which you must turn in at the time of application.
- Level 3: "Full Provisional License" ($5.50 per year paid to DMV) - After 6 months of having your "limited provisional license" and having logged at least 12 hours of driving, you may apply for your "Full Provisional License" which allows for driving unsupervised at any time.
- Level 1: Limited Learner Permit ($21.50 paid to DMV) - Between ages 15 and 17, you may go to the DMV (?) and apply for your "Limited Learner Permit" if you have completed the classroom and driving courses and received your eligibility certificate, passed the written, sign, and vision tests (where do you take these? the DMV?). Supervised driving is restricted to 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the first six months; thereafter, a supervising driver is still required.
- Students who are at least 14½ years old and are pursuing a high school diploma or GED can enroll in an approved driver education course provided through North Carolina high schools. A birth certificate or passport is required to enroll.
-
Students that:
- Are at least 14 years and six months old at the start of the class
- Attends a school in the Catawba County Schools District
- Or attends a private school that is located in the Catawba County Schools District
- Or be homeschooled in a residence in the Catawba County Schools District
-
No.
-
In order to receive a Driver Education Certificate required to apply for a NC Driver Permit, a student must successfully complete:
- 30 classroom hours - either online or in-person
- 6 behind-the-wheel hours
-
Yes – a Catawba County Schools student can attend a class at any of the five high schools and/or Challenger. The student must sign up at the school they wish to attend the Driver Education class. See "Where and when can I take classes?" for a complete list of currently available courses.
-
- One document verifying age and identity
- A Social Security card or one document proving they have a Social Security number
- For U.S. citizens, one document proving residency
- For non-U.S. citizens, one document issued by the U.S. government indicating legal presence
- One document proving liability insurance coverage from a provider licensed to do business in North Carolina (not required for a learner's permit)
-
To get a North Carolina learner permit, an individual must be at least 18 years old and apply in person at an N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles driver license office. (Individuals at least 18 years old may also apply for a driver license.)
Note: Teens 15 to 17 years old must apply for a limited learner permit as part of a graduated licensing process.
Qualified applicants must successfully complete: required knowledge, road sign recognition, vision and driving tests and take the following required documents to an NCDMV driver license office.
Getting your driver's license is an exciting time and a momentous occasion in our students' lives. We are happy to provide the classroom and driving instruction right here on our high school campuses.
Registration is now open for driver education courses, available at each of our five high schools, as well as Challenger Early College. Students should sign up at the school where they choose to attend their classes. The cost is a $65 non-refundable fee.
If school is closed for inclement weather, then all driver education classes and behind the wheel sessions are cancelled. The driver education instructor will contact you to reschedule classes or behind the wheel sessions.
To be eligible students must:
- 14 1/2 years old
- Attend a school in the Catawba County Schools district OR be home-schooled at a residence in the Catawba County Schools district OR attend a private school that located is in the Catawba County Schools district.
As of January 30, 2022, the driver eligibility requirements and suspensions are reinstated in North Carolina. All school districts in the State of North Carolina shall resume normal procedures regarding driver eligibility issuance and revocation processes. Consequently, if a student does not pass 3 out of 4 classes this second semester (Spring 2022), then they will not be eligible to obtain a permit/driver's license OR they will lose their permit/driver's license if one has already been issued.