Anonymous wrote:If classes really cost that much $800?? then that seems like an 7 due burden and will be thrown out in a legal challenge ..

Doubtful - driving is a privilege.

Maryland requires driver's ed classes as well and has for years.

If classes really cost that much $800?? then that seems like an 7 due burden and will be thrown out in a legal challenge ..

Anonymous wrote:If your child is old enough (15?) you have until May 1 to get a learner's permit. You can avoid the class if you already have a learner's permit by May 1.

The test is an online 30 or so questions at the DC DMV. You can get up to 7 wrong. That plus the forms online and the fee gets you the permit. We just did this to avoid the new rule about the class.

I also learned to drive through HS but that was flyover country in the 1980s.

Can get a learner's permit at 16.

If your child is old enough (15?) you have until May 1 to get a learner's permit. You can avoid the class if you already have a learner's permit by May 1.

The test is an online 30 or so questions at the DC DMV. You can get up to 7 wrong. That plus the forms online and the fee gets you the permit. We just did this to avoid the new rule about the class.

I also learned to drive through HS but that was flyover country in the 1980s.

I graduated high school in 1999. Sophomore year was 1 semester of health class and 1 semester of driver's ed during the "gym class" slot. I went to school in Illinois, which is or at least was at the time one of the only states to require gym all 4 years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would schools be responsible for helping people obtain driver's licenses?

Back in 1983 I took drivers Ed at school (MD Eastern shore). Most schools offered it then as an elective. But those days are long gone.

Same here -- drivers Ed in public high school in PA in early 1980s. It was mandatory.

When I was in school in the midwest I took drivers ed through my school (graduated HS in '88). No idea why it was through the school, doesent really make sense when you think about it. I have a 16 year old who hasn't even mentioned wanting to get his license. Many of his friends that are 17 and 18 are just starting to get theirs. I don't know if it's because we live in a city with a big public transit system or because it's just a different time, but when I was in HS we all counted down the days until we were 16 and could get our license.

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would schools be responsible for helping people obtain driver's licenses?

Back in 1983 I took drivers Ed at school (MD Eastern shore). Most schools offered it then as an elective. But those days are long gone.

So you need a permit first and then the class?

Why in the world would schools be responsible for helping people obtain driver's licenses?

It is new - http://wtop.com/dc/2016/04/d-c-mandates-driver-education-program-beginning-may-1/

What requirement of 40 hours of drivers' ed? The DMV website just says you need 40 hours of driving with a licensed driver in the car. No driver's ed course provides that -- you need to drive with a parent or other adult driver.

I assume more providers will get into the drivers Ed business which will lower the price.

Schools stopped offering drivers Ed in the 80s or 90s.

Why would they offer this for free? My suburban public school did not offer driver's ed at all -- they just gave you some names of companies that offered it.

Now that there is a new requirement of 40 hours of Driver's education to get a license will DCPS begin offering this for free to students? I would imagine they would have to. I looked and the private courses cost $800 minimum. I would imagine getting a driver's license would then become a perk only available to rich kids.

Anyone know what the plans are?