Driver’s Education

Learning to drive is a major milestone in life. It’s important for young or inexperienced drivers to learn safe driving techniques. The program offered by Savannah Technical College meets Joshua’s Law options that include 30 hours of classroom instruction and six additional hours of drive time with an instructor. Most insurance companies also give a reduction (approx. 10%) on insurance premiums upon successful completion.

Savannah Technical College provides a (DDS approved) Driver’s Education program in cooperation with the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission (GDEC). Participants must attend all class dates for the full class periods. If seeking a certificate of completion for 30 hours of classroom and six hours of driving, participants must also complete all six (6) hours of behind-the-wheel driving.

Cost for the course is $350

P.S. Follow the links on the left to learn more about our Dual Enrollment program, which allows high school students to take academic degree level core courses, at zero tuition cost, that will transfer to any Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) or University System of Georgia (USG) institution.

Details

30- Hour Virtual Classroom Instruction

This theoretical component consists of instruction in the following topics:

Managing Risk When Driving
Understanding Vehicle Space Needs, Natural Laws and Balance

Starting, Steering, and Stopping the Vehicle

Traffic Control Devices & Traffic Laws

Managing Risk: Vision & Perception, Time & Space

Sharing the Road with Others

Getting Acquainted with the Vehicle You Will Drive
The Effects of Distractions, Drowsiness, and Emotions on Driving
Adverse Driving Conditions and Emergencies
The Effects of Alcohol and other Drugs on Driving
Basic Maneuvers in a Low-Risk Environment

Course Textbook: “How to Drive” -The Beginning Driver’s Manual

6-Hour Driving Lessons

The Department of Driver Services requires that parents/guardians invest at least 40-hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice with their teen prior to taking their road test to get their license.

It is our focus to assist your student with the more difficult driving skills since our program only provides 6-hours of behind-the-wheel training. By the time your student reaches their first behind-the-wheel training session with the college, he/she will need to be able to successfully complete the following skills:

Basic driver preparation
Steering
Accelerating and slowing down smoothly
Turning right at intersections
Turning left at intersections

What to Expect

Training Lesson 1: The instructor will take the student to begin their in verify the skills listed above are satisfactory and then begin practice with parallel parking, turnabouts, and a very structured driving route to provide exposure ranging from light traffic to moderate traffic.

Training Lesson 2: When student arrive for the second lesson, they can expect longer exposure to moderate traffic and introduction to parkways and highways and to apply what was learned during lesson two.

Training Lesson 3: The final training will include a review of the previous lessons, longer exposure to moderate traffic, and introduction to interstate driving. Note: Students will be practicing entering and exiting off of Interstate 16. Practice with a parent/guardian prior to this lesson is recommended.

Download the DDS 40-Hr Parent/Teen Driving Guide

The Car

Each vehicle will be wrapped in “Student Driver” graphics to make other drivers aware that training is in progress. The vehicles are equipped with video monitoring capabilities to ensure the safety of all participants.

Upcoming Sessions

Online Learning Session (30-Hour Classroom)
Developed to keep your training on the road during the COVID-19 health crisis.

We do not have any sessions available right now and are working to create a future schedule. Once this schedule is available, it will be posted here. If you would like to be contacted as sessions are added, please complete this form and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

Course Requirements

Valid Learner’s Permit or Driver’s License Required

Any one with a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license can attend the course.

Scholarship Eligibility:

Georgia Students between the ages of 15 and 17 years old.

First priority is given to students who are children or dependents of a Georgia public safety professional or military personnel killed in the line of duty.

Second priority is given to students who demonstrate a financially based need.

Third priority is given to all students who do not qualify under the first and second priority.

Scholarships are awarded evenly by congressional district and are electronically selected at random in each priority level if the number of applicants exceeds the number of scholarships available.

Cost & Payment Options

Cost: $350 (Includes Classroom & Behind-the-wheel)

Location: Varies. Check the “Sessions” Tab!

Payment Options:

We accept all credit/debit cards. Credit/debit card payments can be accepted over the phone by calling 912-443-3012 or online.

Scholarship

The Scholarship is issued through the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission. As an Authorized Provider of Driver’s Education, Savannah Technical College can redeem the scholarship of those who receive it.

Scholarship Eligibility:

Georgia Students between the ages of 15 and 17 years old.

First priority is given to students who are children or dependents of a Georgia public safety professional or military personnel killed in the line of duty.

Second priority is given to students who demonstrate a financially based need.

Third priority is given to all students who do not qualify under the first and second priority.

Scholarships are awarded evenly by congressional district and are electronically selected at random in each priority level if the number of applicants exceeds the number of scholarships available.

BEFORE YOU APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP

Review everything about our Driver’s Ed program.
- It’s important to know what all is required before you apply for the scholarship or enroll in the course. Click on each of the different sections on this page, like “Details”, “Course Requirements”, “Frequently Asked Questions” and others. Do not skip this step!
Check to see if any upcoming sessions are available.
- If you do not see any upcoming sessions available, do not apply for the scholarship.
  - Why?– Because if you are granted the scholarship, you must redeem and complete the course in the time allotted by the scholarship provider. If your window closes, you will lose the scholarship and/or be required to personally cover the cost of any training that you still need to complete.
If you see upcoming sessions, check your calendar.
- Be sure that you can attend all the dates of the course.
- Scholarships are awarded on the 1st day of each month. Notification of award or denial is sent by email by the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission.
- If awarded a scholarship, the award date of the scholarship must be prior to the first day of instruction or class by the driver training school.
- This means that if you want to register for a session that starts October 28th but you won’t know if you will be granted(or denied) the scholarship until November 1st, do not register for the October 28th course. Instead register for a session that’s available after you determine if you have been awarded.
If there is a session available AND you will be able to find out if you are a scholarship recipient BEFORE the start of that session, apply for the scholarship.
- This is important. If you aren’t sure, please refer back to Step #2 above and review again.
Parents and/or guardians may learn more and apply for the scholarship.
- If you are ready to apply for a scholarship, only a parent or guardian should complete this application.

Have you received a scholarship code but don’t see an upcoming session?

We can still redeem your code for you. Please complete this form.

You are also welcome to redeem the scholarship code with any authorized provider in your service area.

Is your scholarship deadline approaching?

Send an email to gdec@gohs.ga.gov and let them know you would like to request a one-time 60 day extension. Tip: Forward your scholarship award email so that they have all the info needed to add the extension.

Apply for Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive a certificate of completion once I pass the Driver's Education Program?

Certificates of Completion will be issued once a student completes the full Drivers education program. Please allow up to two weeks to receive this by email. We strongly recommend that Driving Appointments with the DMV are not scheduled until you have your Certificate of Completion in hand. Students must remember to keep the original copy of their certificate for Department of Driver Services and for insurance purposes. There is a $10.00 fee for re-issuing of completion certificates.

To receive a certificate of completion for the 30-hours of classroom training and 6 hours of behind the wheel training:

All 30 hours of the class must be completed AND you must receive a grade of 70% or better.
All 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training must be completed AND satisfactorily.

If any part of a class or behind-the-wheel training is missed, you will be subject to fees to cover make-up day sessions if you would still like to complete the course.

I'm older than 15-17. Can I still take this class?

Yes, you can. This class is open to anyone with a learner’s permit! The scholarship is the only available to 15- 17-year-olds that qualify.

It's raining outside and I have a behind-the-wheel training appointment today. Will it be cancelled?

The only time that we cancel a behind-the-wheel appointment due to weather is when there is a:

severe thunderstorm watch or warning
tropical storm watch or warning
hurricane watch or warning
tornado watch or warning

You may also choose to cancel an appointment if you or your child does not feel comfortable. However, this is a great opportunity to receive training of how to conduct yourself in less than perfect weather. If you would still like to cancel, send an email to continuinged@savannahtech.edu and to your instructor. Instructor emails can be found below:

Tressa Gilmore– tgilmore@savannahtech.edu
Kim-Nee Stewart- knstewart@savannahtech.edu

To stay up-to-date on weather, download WTOC’s free weather app!

How do I pass the Driver's Education Program?

To receive a certificate of completion for the 30-hours of classroom training and 6 hours of behind the wheel training:

All 30 hours of the class must be completed AND you must receive a grade of 70% or better.
All 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training must be completed AND satisfactorily.

If any part of a class or behind-the wheel training is missed, you will be subject to fees to cover make-up day sessions if you would still like to complete the course.

I have my Certificate of Completion. Now what?

Give yourself a pat on the back! You can officially start the process to take your Road Test. To see what you need to bring with you, click the link that applies to you below:

How does the Georgia Driver's Education Grant Scholarship Program work?

We’re glad you asked. It all starts when teen drivers and their parents or guardians apply by completing an online application by visiting georgiadrivers.ga.gov.

Online applications are due by the 5th day of each month.
Effective July 1, 2019, scholarship award and denial notifications will be sent on the first day of each month rather than the 20th of each month. Students and parents are notified by email if the application has been awarded or denied.
Students have 30 days from the date of the scholarship award to choose an authorized driver’s education provider and present their scholarship redemption code to enroll in a 30/6 driver’s education course. Students have 180 days from the date of the scholarship award to complete the 30/6 course.More details can be found here.

I can't make it to one of the classes in a session. Can I still take the course?

First, take a look to see if another session may work better with your schedule. If you will have to miss one of the classes, we encourage you to still sign up for the session. To make-up the missed date without charge, you will have to attend the meeting day of another session that matches up to the part of the class you missed. (Example: the 1st meeting day =Part 1, 2nd meeting day = Part 2 and so on).

If you are unable to attend another session’s meeting day, then for a fee- you can enroll in one of our available make-up dates offered every 2 months. The fee is $75 per student. Just send a note to continuinged@savannahtech.edu and we’ll provide available make-up dates.

What is Joshua's Law?

Joshua’s Law is a bill that changes the requirements that teen drivers must meet in order to obtain a Class D driver’s license.

To get a Class D driver’s license at age sixteen (16):

You must have completed a driver education course approved by the Department of Driver Services and
You also must have completed a cumulative total of at least forty (40) hours of other supervised driving experience, including at least six (6) hours at night.

If you have not completed an approved driver’s education course, you cannot get your Class D driver’s license until you reach age seventeen (17). Remember, forty (40) hour of driving experience, including six (6) hours of driving at night, is always required for a Class D driver’s license.

Am I required to take a driver education course to obtain my Class D driver's license?

It depends on your age at the time you apply for your Class D Georgia Driver’s License.

If you are 16 years of age, you will be required to show proof that you successfully completed a driver education course approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). In addition, you must have completed a total of 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 hours of which must be at night.

If you are age 17 or older, you will not be required to show proof that you completed a driver education course. However, you will still be required to have completed a total of 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 hours of which must be at night.

What is TADRA?

TADRA,the Teenage & Adult Driver Responsibility Act, is a graduated driver’s license program for young drivers ages 15 to 18.

Three- Step Process in TADRA

Step 1: Instructional Permit (Class CP License)

Step 2: Intermediate License (Class D License)

Step 3: Full License ( Class C)

What if I only what Behind-the-Wheel Training? Can I take that with you and for how much?

The option to only receive behind-the-wheel lessons is no longer available. Those interested in receiving driving lessons must enroll in the whole course.

What is the attendance policy?

In order to receive the certificate of completion, students must complete the 30 hours of classroom and the 6 hours of driving. If a session is missed, the student will need to complete the necessary makeup days to meet GDEC requirements before certificate can be issued.

What is the pick-up procedure?

Parents are responsible for picking up students on time at the end of class/lesson.

My question wasn't answered. How can I reach you?

We’d be glad to help you. Send us an email at continuinged@savannahtech.edu with the subject line “Driver’s Ed Question”. Prefer to chat? Click on the chat icon in the lower right corner of the screen. Or call us at 912-443-3012. If you don’t reach us, leave us a message and we’ll get right back to you.

Contact

We encourage you to visit the Frequently Asked Questions tab on this page to review some of our commonly asked questions. You can also contact us by using the chat feature in the lower right corner of your computer screen or mobile device or by email at continuinged@savannahtech.edu .

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