Course Eligibility
- You must be at least 14 years and 8 months old to enroll in Segment 1.
- All residents age-out of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program - which includes driver's education - at 18.
Classroom Instruction (Excludes study time at home)
- Complete at least 24 hours of in-class instruction (no more than 2 hours per day)
- Providers have the authority to mandate additional requirements, which may include homework or assignments.
Driving Instruction (With a provider)
- Complete at least 6 hours of on-road driving instruction with your driver's education provider. You can drive up to 1 hour each day.
- Before beginning on-road instruction, you must complete at least 4 hours of class.
- At least 3 hours of on-road driving instruction must be completed before the final class. Remaining time should be completed within 3 weeks of the final class.
- Observe another student's driving for at least 4 hours with your driver's education provider. No more than 3 students can observe another driver at a time, with no more than 2 people occupying the front seat of the vehicle.
- Your parents/legal guardian must provide written consent before you can begin on-road driving instruction.
Testing
- You must pass a written driver knowledge exam provided by your state-certified driver's education provider.
GDL Licensing Level (With a passing score)
Upon passing Segment 1, you will be eligible to apply for a GDL Level 1 learner's license with your parent/legal guardian at a Secretary of State office. You must have a Driver Education Certificate of Completion to apply. You will be issued a Driver Education Certificate of Completion if you have successfully done all of the following by the time complete Segment 1:
- Completed all required Segment 1 class instruction hours
- Completed all required on-road driving instruction hours and required observation
- Passed the written driver knowledge exam
The certificate isn't a permit to drive and can't be treated as a driver's license.
