DRIVER ED. UPDATES (as of August 22, 2024)

Fall 2024 Driver Education Update

Drivers Ed Part 1:  Classroom Instruction:

Information concerning Fall 2024 Drivers Ed classes at Wakefield High School is below.    

• Class dates for Fall 2024 DE classes are currently on the Jordan Driving School website on August 6.  Monthly classes will be offered in October, November, and December. 
• Registration for the Fall 2024 DE classes at Wakefield will open on Thursday, September 12, at 10:30 am.    
• Sign-up is done entirely online; there are no physical forms to submit.  All DE registration is done on a first come, first serve basis through the Jordan Driving School website (jordandriving.com).  Students may only register for Drivers Ed at their base high school. 
• The fee for Drivers Ed is $65.00, payable online, and covers both the classroom teaching and the driving instruction.  When registration is made successfully, a payment link will be emailed, which should be done immediately.   There is a fee-waiver provision for families who are unable to afford the fee; specific information and forms can be found on the JDS site (jordandriving.com).  No cash or check payments will be accepted.
• DE class dates for the Spring 2025 semester will be posted in December, and the registration for those classes will be held in early January.  Monthly classes will be offered February through May.  

Drivers Ed Part 2:  Behind-the-Wheel Instruction:

Students are driven according to the month they took the classroom portion.    Jordan is presently driving students from the April 2024 classes.  There is currently an approximate 16-week gap between Parts 1 and 2 of  Drivers Ed.

• Driving instructors will contact the family initially by phone, using the phone numbers that were provided on the initial registration paperwork.  
• Each driving instructor has been trained in health and safety protocols and has specific directions to follow that are not negotiable.  When you are called for BTW, the instructor will go over these with you.

General Drivers Ed Information:

• For a teen to enter the Graduated Licensing process, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction – both of these must be met in order for Drivers Ed to be completed.  Teens must be at least 14 ½ years old by the first day of the class that they are registered for.
• To be eligible for a North Carolina Level 1 Learner’s Permit, students must have finished both parts (Classroom Instruction and Driving Instruction) of Drivers Ed and be between the ages of 14.5 and 18.  When a student finishes only the Classroom Instruction portion, Drivers Ed is not over.
• The Classroom portion of Drivers Ed occurs first.  Upon completion of Part 1, the student will be automatically placed in line for Part 2: Behind-The-Wheel training, which will be conducted at the school which the student attends.  When both Instruction Parts are completed, the student will be given a Drivers Education Completion Certificate, and the licensing process can begin at the DMV.
• There are no academic requirements to take the Driver Education class. There are specific academic requirements to apply for a permit or license at the NC DMV after finishing the class.
• Drivers Ed is an extracurricular activity; it is not part of the regular school day, nor is any academic credit given.  Jordan Driving School has a contract with WCPSS to provide Drivers Education outside of school hours.  Classroom instruction takes place after 2:30 on weekdays during the school year; driving instruction may also be provided on weekends, holidays, summer breaks, and other non-school days. 
• Under North Carolina law, only teens under the age of 18 are required to take Drivers Education.  If the student is over or nearly 18 years old, please contact Mr. Tharrington directly.
• For additional information about Drivers Education at Wakefield, contact Mr. Tharrington  (wakefield@jordandriving.com).  You may also visit the JDS website to find general information, email addresses for Lead Teachers, specific classroom dates, and a list of additional classes that might be available.

Edward Tharrington

Lead Teacher for Wakefield, Millbrook, NWCCA, Thales, and NRCA

Jordan Driving School

wakefield@jordandriving.com