Frequently Asked Questions About Driver EducationWho is eligible to take Driver Education within the Clay County School system?Full time students enrolled in public and non-public schools in the Clay County Schools attendance area. This includes home school students.What age and when should students take Driver Education?Students who are rising freshmen and have successfully completed the eighth grade are eligible to take driver’s education. The course is usually taught during the summer prior to entering the ninth grade. There are two parts to the Driver’s Education program.  (1) Class room portion- 30 hours; (2) Behind the wheel portion- 6 hours.  Students must successfully complete both portions of the program in order to obtain a learner’s permit in North Carolina.Can I wait until I’m fifteen years old and then take Driver Education?Completing the class room part and the behind the wheel part can take two to three months.  If you want to be able to get your learner’s permit when you turn fifteen years old, you should take a class prior to your fifteenth birthday.Where and when are the Driver Education classes held?Classes are usually held in the Lecture Hall of the High School.  The sessions are held Monday through Friday from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm for two consecutive weeks. Times will vary for summer schedules.It is the student’s responsibility to attend his/her assigned class times for Driver’s Ed. If there is a conflict with a schedule the student must speak to the instructor ahead of time about rescheduling the class.Students should contact the driver’s ed. instructor to register or inquire about the Driver’s Education program:Grant Nicholson, Hayesville High School 828-389-6532 ext. 1430Can I schedule the behind the wheel portion at my convenience?No, you will be contacted by the Driver Education Instructor a day or two before he has you scheduled to drive.  If you can not drive at that time or refuse to drive when they have you scheduled; you will be rescheduled when time is available.  Failure to drive when you’re scheduled WILL cause you to lose your driving privilege for a month and MAY cause you not to get your permit at age fifteen.How is the driving schedule determined?The students who have completed the classroom part of the course are scheduled according to age. The oldest students drive first. What happens if I drop out of Driver Education, fail the class room portion, or miss days in class?If a student fails the class room portion of the program because of poor academic performance, lack of attendance or is dismissed because of unacceptable behavior, that student may be allowed to enroll in a future class if one is available.  This will only be allowed one time per student and is dependent on the instructor and/or the decision of the principal. Attendance for every scheduled day of class is required for completion of the course.Do I have to take Driver Education?Yes, it is required by the State of North Carolina if you want to get a learner’s permit or license before you are eighteen years old.Does it cost anything to take Driver Education in the Clay County School System?No, this program is mandated by the State of North Carolina and funding is provided by the General Assembly to each school system for Driver’s Education.Which comes first, the classroom portion or the driving portion of Driver Education?You must successfully complete the classroom portion of the program before you can be scheduled to drive.When can I get a learner’s permit?When you have completed both parts of the Driver Education program and are fifteen years old.Can a person get a learner’s permit without taking Driver Education?Absolutely not, unless you are eighteen years of age.Do I have to get a learner’s permit before I get a license?Yes, unless you are over eighteen years of age.How long do I have to drive on a learner’s permit?One full year from the date the permit is issued.Who can a student drive with when he/she has a learner’s permit?A student must drive with his legal guardian who signed his permit papers, and any person who currently has had a driver’s license for five years or longer and is approved by the student’s parents.After twelve months with a learner’s permit can a person get a license?Yes, however; the last six months must be ticket free. Any ticket will cause the licensee to wait six months longer to get a license. This license will only allow students to drive between the hours of 5:00 am and 9:00 pm.  This is called Level 2.Defensive Driving "Driving to prevent accidents in spite of the incorrect actions of others and adverse conditions.”We ask parents to understand that with only six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, a beginner driver cannot become a polished driver.  That is the mission of the parent.  All we will have time to teach is basic car control.  We do provide the student with the education and problem solving skills necessary for driving. Graduated Driver’s License LawGraduated licenses include (3) levels. (Valid until 18th birthday).Limited Learner’s PermitLevel I -- Limited Learner’s PermitDuration 12 months, can only drive while supervised by a parent, guardian or person approved by the DMV.Must be at least 15 and have completed Driver Education. Drive only from 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM for the first 6 months. After 6 months can drive any time. Everyone in the car must wear seatbelts. Cell phone use is illegal.Level II -- Duration 6 Months. Limited Provisional Driver’s LicenseMust have had Level I at least 12 months (with no moving violation convictions for the last 6 months.). Must pass an on the road driving test. May drive unsupervised from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. May drive after 9:00 PM only while supervised, unless driving directly to or from work, or to duties with a volunteer fire or rescue department. Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt. Cell phone use is illegal.Must maintain a clean driving record for 6 continuous months to receive a full provisional license. Only one passenger under the age of 21 unless accompanied by a supervising driver or the passengers under 21 are siblings or reside in the same household. Level III -- Regular Provisional Driver’s LicenseCan drive anytime unsupervised. Must have had Level II at least 6 months without a moving violation. Everyone must wear seatbelts. No Passenger age restrictions.No cell phone use allowed until age 18. (Limited to emergency situations only and using the cell phone for texting, camera, videotaping, etc. is illegal.) Items required by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to Apply for a Learner's Permit 1. Birth Certificate - Certified copy from the Register of Deeds office. Photocopies will not be accepted.2. Driver Education Certificate.3. Mom or Dad, Legal Guardian or Step Parent to sign for students under 18.4. $15.00 cash or check. No credit cards.5. Arrive no later than 4:00 PM to take the written test. If they are extremely busy, the DMV may refuse to test you and ask you to return the next day.6.  Social Security Card.7. Accompanying parent’s driver license number.8. Driving Eligibility Certificate (DEC) issued by the principal or the principal’s designee at YOUR HIGH SCHOOL certifying that you are passing 70% of your courses. Home school students must request this from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). This is obtained after completing Driver Education.What Is A Driving Eligibility Certificate (DEC)?A Driving Eligibility Certificate (DEC) is a printed document that is issued by the school principal and/or the principal's designee (school secretary). The Driving Eligibility Certificate certifies the student has demonstrated adequate progress in school.  This is a part of the drop out prevention law. Proof of insurance is NOT required to obtain a learner's permit.  Items required by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to Apply for a Driver's LicenseSame as above with the following exceptions.1. Learner's permit can be substituted for the birth certificate and Driver Education certificate.2. Go to the DMV in the AM or call to make an appointment for the driving skills test (road test).3. Proof of insurance is required to obtain a driver's license.4. The student must provide his/her own car for the behind-the-wheel test and the car should be checked for current tag and inspection.NCDOT Division of Motor VehiclesNCDOT Division of Motor Vehicles: Applying for a Driver License or Learner Permit?DRIVER LICENSE OFFICESCherokee County Murphy Driver’s License Office 17 Peachtree Street County Office Bldg, 28906(828) 837-86568:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday - Friday iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA3NCSVQBAQF8LneCAAAABlBMVEX/ //8AAABVwtN+AAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAFiS0dEAIgFHUgAAAAMY21QUEpDbXAwNzEyAAAAB09t t6UAAAAKSURBVBjTY2AAAAACAAGYY2zXAAAAAElFTkSuQmCCgrstewart22010-04-09T14:21:00Z2010-04-09T14:21:00Z8313307582Microsoft Office Word06317falseTitle1Clay County Schoolsfalse8895false3276816305http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_services/drivingpublic/applying.html5177410005http://www.ncdot.org/dmvfalse12.0000