Use this link, to be added to the contact list regarding the next driver education class. You will be sent a courtesy email notifying you of the next class.
Questions:
Please direct all Driver Education questions to McMichael High School Driver Education Coordinator, Marty Woods - mwoods@rock.k12.nc.us
Driver Education information:
Students are required to successfully complete 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training along with 6 hours of behind-the-wheel observation.
Students must be 14.5 years of age to start the driver education class.
Classroom Portion of Driver Education:
Classroom dates are established for each semester and for the summer, as available based on the Rockingham County Schools’ budget. Dates and times for upcoming classes are listed on the school website. Announcements will be made on the intercom and via canvas to remind students to register prior to the beginning of each new class.
Students will register via an online registration form for the classroom portion. The first class meeting will be a student/parent meeting where students and parent/legal guardian will complete the registration process. Both students and a parent/legal guardian will need to be present at the meeting.
Requirements to complete registration:
1. Certified Birth Certificate issued by the county. This must be the original document with a raised seal (it may NOT be the Mother’s Copy or one issued by a hospital). If you do not have a certified birth certificate, you can obtain one from the Registrar of Deeds Office in the North Carolina county in which you were born.
2. $40 non-refundable class fee (cash or check to McMichael High School). If a students does not pass the class or if he/she is dismissed from the class due to absences and/or disciplinary action, he/she will be required to pay the fee to enroll in a new class.
Driver Education Class Attendance:
Each Driver Education class is scheduled for approximately 34 hours, student's must be present for 30 hours. If a student accumulates more than 4 hours of absences from the driver’s education class for discipline or any other reason, the student will be dropped from the class. Fees for that class will not be refunded.
Absences from the driver’s education class for extracurricular school activities (ex. athletics, band, chorus, clubs, etc.) will be treated like any other absences toward dismissal from the class.
Behind-the-wheel Portion of Driver Education:
Behind-the-wheel training is scheduled based on the student’s age. When it is the students turn to drive, a driving instructor will call the parent/student. It is to your advantage to list the most reliable phone numbers on your class registration form, so that the instructor can reach you to arrange your time to drive.
Driver Education Certificate:
Upon completion of the Driver Education program, the Driver Education instructor will issue the Driver Education Certificate. This will be issued to the student on the final day of behind-the-wheel instruction. Driver Education Certificates do not expire.
Driving Eligibility Certificate:
After student's have completed the Driver Education program and have received their Driver Education Certificate they can obtain a Driving Eligibility Certificate from the school. The secretaries in the main office are available to issue this document during school office hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the school year). The school can also issue an official transcript at the same time. Driver Education instructors do not issue Driving Eligibility Certificates or Student Transcripts.
Students and a parent/legal guardian must come to the school to sign and receive the Driving Eligibility Certificate, which is required at DMV. The form gives the school consent to release academic and disciplinary information about students to DMV. You must have passed 4 out of 5 classes for the previous semester to receive the certificate.
Driving Eligibility Certificates are valid for 30 days.
Documentation required to receive NC Driving Eligibility Certificate:
1. Parent/Legal Guardian with ID card
2. Student’s Birth Certificate
3. Student's Driver Education Certificate
Documentation to take to DMV to apply for a permit or license:
1. The student’s original Birth Certificate (proof of identity & date of birth)
2. The student’s original Social Security card (proof of SS number)
3. The student's Driver Education Certificate
4. The student's NC Driving Eligibility Certificate
5. The student's official Transcript (proof of residency)
Continued Academic Eligibility:
Once students obtain a permit or license, you must pass 4 out of 5 subjects each semester in order to keep the license or permit. If the student’s license is suspended for academic ineligibility, you cannot reapply for a license until the end of the following semester, providing the student has passed 4 out of 5 classes in that semester. When students become academically eligible to reinstate their license, a parent/legal guardian will need to come to the school to sign a new Certificate of Eligibility. When you take that certificate to the Department of Motor Vehicles, they will charge the regular license fee plus a fine for reinstatement.
Graduated License:
North Carolina has adopted this program to help students gain driving experience gradually. Once you obtain a learners permit, you must keep it for 9 months, along with a driving log, regardless of when you turn 16. It is to your advantage to complete the Drivers Education program in the correct time frame with regard to your date of birth.
Revocation of License or Permit:
The school will notify the Division of Motor Vehicles if the student exhibits conduct that subjects him/her to disciplinary action as defined by G.S. 20-11(n).
License or permit may be revoked under these circumstances:
The possession or sale of alcoholic beverage or an illegal substance on school property
The possession or use on school property of a weapon or firearm that resulted in disciplinary action or that could have resulted in disciplinary action if the conduct had occurred in the public school.
The physical assault on a teacher or other school personnel.