Driver's Education
Philosophy/Mission Statement:
It is our strong belief that traffic safety is a shared responsibility of the home, school, and community. By working together, we hope to reduce the incidences of auto-related tragedies and make this a safer community. It is our mission to provide organized and competent instruction of the fundamental driving skills, techniques, and knowledge of driving. We will do this by providing a minimum of thirty hours of behind the wheel instruction, and six hours of in-car observation of another student driver.
Department Chair
Craig Tomczak, 630.375.8857
Eligibility & Cost
Eligibility
Any student, age 15-21, who wishes to enroll in the Metea Valley High School Driver Education Program must be a legal resident of Indian Prairie School District 204. According to Illinois Administrative Code 252.25, any student enrolled in driver education must have passed a minimum of 8 classes during the previous two semesters (including middle school) or has received a waiver of this requirement, pursuant to Section 27-24.2 of the School Code, from the superintendent of our school district.
Any student, age 15-21, who wishes to enroll in the Metea Valley High School Driver Education Program must be a legal resident of Indian Prairie School District 204. According to Illinois Administrative Code 252.25, any student enrolled in driver education must have passed a minimum of 8 classes during the previous two semesters (including middle school) or has received a waiver of this requirement, pursuant to Section 27-24.2 of the School Code, from the superintendent of our school district.
Birthdate Qualifications
Students must be 15 by the first day of class to be eligible to enroll. Students may request the semester in which they choose to take Driver Education, however, due to class size restrictions and the number of sections available, their request can not be guaranteed. Enrollment will be based on birthdate order which will give older students priority over younger students. Also, students who select Driver Education as their elective during the normal registration period will have priority over students who try to add it after the enrollment period.
Cost
There are two fees associated with Driver Education:
1) The first fee is $20. This is for the student's driving permit and is paid to the Secretary of State. This fee is collected within the first 5 days of class and must be in the form of a check or money order made out to the "Secretary of State."
All students must pay this fee.
2) The second fee is $400. This is for the behind-the-wheel Portion of Driver Education and helps defray the cost of the program. This fee is paid via Pushcoin. Students who qualify for the fee waiver program are exempt from paying this fee. You can apply for this fee waiver by clicking this link and filling out the application: https://www.ipsd.org/FeeWaivers
Students must be 15 by the first day of class to be eligible to enroll. Students may request the semester in which they choose to take Driver Education, however, due to class size restrictions and the number of sections available, their request can not be guaranteed. Enrollment will be based on birthdate order which will give older students priority over younger students. Also, students who select Driver Education as their elective during the normal registration period will have priority over students who try to add it after the enrollment period.
Cost
There are two fees associated with Driver Education:
1) The first fee is $20. This is for the student's driving permit and is paid to the Secretary of State. This fee is collected within the first 5 days of class and must be in the form of a check or money order made out to the "Secretary of State."
All students must pay this fee.
2) The second fee is $400. This is for the behind-the-wheel Portion of Driver Education and helps defray the cost of the program. This fee is paid via Pushcoin. Students who qualify for the fee waiver program are exempt from paying this fee. You can apply for this fee waiver by clicking this link and filling out the application: https://www.ipsd.org/FeeWaivers
Driver Education is broken down into two components. Both components follow the guidelines set forth by Section 252 of the Illinois Administrative Code:
1) The Classroom Phase. Students will receive a minimum of 30 clock hours of classroom instruction. The Classroom Phase is designed to teach students, in a controlled and risk-free environment, the basic knowledge needed to operate a vehicle safely. Attendance is mandated by the state of Illinois. Students with excessive absences (excused or unexcused) will be dropped from the program. Units of Instruction will include material from the Drive Right text book and will cover topics such as: Signs, Signals and Roadway Markings, Basic Vehicle Control, Performing Basic Maneuvers, Managing Risk w/the IPDE Process, Effects of Driver Condition, Alcohol and Driving, Managing Distractions, Natural Laws and Car Control, Negotiating Intersections, Sharing the Roadway, Driving in Adverse Conditions, handling Emergencies, Driving in City Traffic, Driving in Rural Areas, Driving on Highways, Buying and Maintaining a Vehicle, and Planning your Travel.
2) The Behind-The-Wheel Phase. Students will receive a minimum of 6 clock hours of actual behind-the-wheel driving and another 6 clock hours of observation of another student driver. This behind-the-wheel phase is designed to provide students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom. The behind-the-wheel lessons will include: Car Orientation, Residential Driving, Blending in with Traffic, Lane Changing, Negotiating Intersections, Parking, Backing, Turnabouts, Uphill/Downhill Parking, Rural Driving, High Conflict Areas, and Highway Driving.
Enrollment is done during the registration process, which usually is in late January. Students will select Driver Education just as they do any other elective we offer. The guidance counselors will meet with students individually to confirm their request. Any questions about registration, please contact your guidance counselor directly.
Enrollment is based on birth date order. Older students will have priority and will most likely be enrolled into the 1st semester. Younger students will most likely be enrolled in the 2nd semester.
Indian Prairie School District does not offer a summer program.
You must have successfully completed both the Classroom and Behind-The-Wheel Portion of Driver Ed to be eligible to get your license prior to turning 18 years old. Students who don't pass both portions will not be eligible to get their license until they are 18 years old. Keep in mind, even when you're 18 years old, you'll be required to complete a 6 hour online program at a private driving school before attempting to get your license if you didn't pass BOTH portions of the program.
There are NO Certificates of Completion or "blue slips" that you will need. Everything is completed online. Check this website prior to going to the DMV to make sure you're eligible to go. If you are asked for a Certificate of Completion, ask to speak to a supervisor.
Take these steps in getting your license:
1) Make an appointment with your local DMV here.
2) Bring with you the following:
a) Permit
b) Birth Certificate
c) Social Security Card
d) Proof of Residency (Parent's License, Bank Statement, Report Card, etc)
e) Your own Vehicle to take the Road Test
f) Proof of Auto Insurance
g) 50 Hour Driving Log
If you lost your permit, you will NOT be able to drive (at home or at school) until you get another one. The cost is $5 to be paid at the DMV. Here are the steps to getting a copy of your permit printed at the DMV.
1) Make an appointment with your local DMV by clicking this link: www.ilsos.gov
2) Bring with you the following:
a) School Photo ID
b) Birth Certificate or Social Security Card
- Illinois Secretary of State Website
- Rules of the Road Booklet
- Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL)
- Course Completion Check (Use this Link to verify you've been approved online BEFORE getting your license)
- Instruction Permit Requirements
- Parent-Teen Driving Guide
- Parent-Teen Contract
- 50 Hour Driving Log
- Medical/Vision Conditions
- Acceptable Identification Documents
- Driver Ed Supplies
Helpful Videos of Instruction
- Conduite Facile
- This YouTube Channel offers great video tutorials about driving in English, French and Spanish!
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Driver Education Coordinator
Classroom/BTW Instructor
Mr. James Short
Email
(630) 375-5900 ext. 4347
Classroom/BTW Instructor
Mrs. Carla Griffin
Email
(630) 375-5900 ext. 4336
Classroom/BTW Instructor
Mr. Stephen Colombe
Email
(630) 375-5900 ext. 4557
BTW Instructor
Mr. Ben Kleinhans
Email
(630) 375-5900 ext. 4342
BTW Instructor
Mr. Cedric Williams
Email
(630) 375-5900 ext. 4345