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Driver Ed Information

Registration Begins: June 10, 2024

Eligibility Requirements (All 3 Required):

  1. High-school student at least 16 years of age
  2. Resides within the Great Neck Public School District
  3. Has obtained a valid New York State Learner Permit from the DMV before program registration.

Please refer to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website for information on how to obtain a Learner Permit at www.dmv.ny.gov.

Selection Process:

Students will be accepted into the program according to the following guidelines:

  1. Priority registration is given to eligible students in 12th grade as of September 2024 (Class of 2025) with a completed application received by July 9, 2024 in the order received.
  2. Eligible students with a completed application in the order received.

Course Information: Fall 2024 Session – September 9, 2024 to January 24, 2025

This 16-session program includes 24 hours of Driver Theory classroom instruction and 24 hours of group In-Car Driving Instruction with a certified driving instructor. The In-Car Driving is comprised of 6 hours of driving per student and 18 hours of observation. It is expected that students practice driving outside of class with their parent/guardian to complete the NYS DMV Certification of Supervised Driving (form MV-262).

Theory Instruction:

Theory class is held after school hours at North and South High Schools. Each class is 90 minutes which includes homework, a midterm, and a final exam. Students are required to attend one (1) Theory class per week at their home school:

North High School – Theory classes are on Tuesdays at either 2:45pm or 4:15pm in Room 103.

South High School - Theory classes are on Wednesdays at either 2:45pm or 4:15pm in Room 401.

In-Car Instruction:

In-Car instruction is held after school hours at North and South High Schools. Each session is 90 minutes (four students per car). Students are required to attend one (1) In-Car Driving session per week at their home school:

North High School – In-Car Driving sessions are Monday through Thursday at either 2:45pm or 4:15pm

South High School - In-Car Driving sessions are Tuesday through Friday at either 2:45pm or 4:15pm

Attendance:

  • Attendance is mandatory at all Theory and In-Car instruction classes.
  • There are NO excused absences. According to New York State Law, any absence and/or lateness must be made up.
  • Three (3) or more absences will result in dismissal from the program with no refund or credit.

Review all the dates carefully BEFORE registering. Sporting events, team practices, vacation and/or other school trips or activities are not excused absences.

  • If class is canceled due to school district closure or instructor absence, a makeup session will be provided. If a student is absent from class, the student is responsible to discuss makeup availability/options with their instructor.

Behavior:

Students are expected to comply with the Great Neck Public Schools Student Code of Conduct.  Failure to follow instructor direction, as well as traffic and safety regulations, may result in removal from the program with no refund or credit. Additionally, students will be required to sign a behavior contract with Bell Auto School.

Course Completion:

Students who successfully complete this program will receive an original NYS DMV Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285).

  • The MV-285 certificate enables the student to make a road test appointment and the original must be presented to the NYS DMV licensing examiner at the time of the road test.

After receiving the MV-285 and passing the road test:

  • a 17-year-old is eligible for a full, New York State senior license.
  • a 16-year-old is only eligible for a junior license, with restrictions.

Cost:

Tuition is $675 payable by major credit card (information to be provided on the application form) or by check payable to “Great Neck Public Schools.”

  • Students approved for free or reduced lunch must include a copy of their GNPS approval confirmation letter with the application.
  • Parent GNPS employees may receive a 10% discount off the Theory portion of the program upon employment verification.

Refund:

Withdrawal before the start of classes: a student may be eligible for a tuition refund minus a 10% processing fee only if the student can be replaced from the waiting list. Once the program begins, no tuition refunds or credits will be issued.

 

HOW TO REGISTER:

Application Procedure:

Applicants seeking to enroll in this program MUST PROVIDE ALL of the following application information - NO EXCEPTIONS.

  • Complete and sign Fall 2024 Driver Education Application.
  • Provide a clear photo/scan/copy of the student’s Learner Permit – DMV Interim Permit accepted.
  • Payment method: credit card or check
  • Return the completed application:
    • Email to gnpsdriversed@greatneck.k12.ny.us.
    • Submit in-person to Great Neck Community Education at 30 Cumberland Avenue, Great Neck.

Incomplete applications are not processed. WE DO NOT HOLD SPOTS. Once the program maximum capacity has been reached, registration will be closed, and you may be placed on the waiting list.

Additional Information:

  • For New York State Learner Permit requirement information, visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website, www.dmv.ny.gov
  • Visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website for the Pre-Licensing Course Instructor's Manual at https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv277.pdf  This may be used as a guide for the required instruction.

Visit the New York State Department of Health website for additional instructional resources.https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/injury_prevention/deric/index.htm