West Islip Union Free School District

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION 

The NYS DMV Driver Education course, taught by a NYS certified instructor at West Islip High School, fully supports and meets the standards of the New York State Motor Vehicle Department and the New York State Education Department. This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the driving experience. Classroom lecture teachers are NYS certified and driving instructors are licensed and approved by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Driving instruction is provided by a contracted professional driving school. Students will receive 24 hours of classroom instruction (theory lecture) and 24 hours of laboratory (in-car) instruction; including 6 hours behind-the-wheel and 18 hours of observation. Students successfully completing the program may obtain their senior license at age 17.

Enrollment in the course does not guarantee that a student will pass a road test administered by the NYS DMV. Objectives of this program include the teaching of driver safety, rules of the road, traffic safety concerns, dangers of texting while driving, problems of substance abuse as related to driving and the proper knowledge, attitude and skills needed to drive. In-car instruction provides students with the basic skills needed to drive a motor vehicle. In addition to participating in this program, the DMV recommends at least 50 total hours of additional driving practice.

LEARNER PERMIT AND JUNIOR LICENSE RESTRICTIONS:

Restrictions on drivers holding junior learner permits and junior licenses apply to all un-licensed students enrolled in the course. Students may NOT drive under any circumstances in the five boroughs of New York City. Obtaining the permit and junior license is part of the process of obtaining a senior license (D classification) provided a student has successfully completed a NYS approved Driver Education program and successfully passed a road test. Please reference the NYS DMV website for further information NYS Department of Motor Vehicles

​ATTENDANCE:

The New York State Education Department Guidelines for Driver and Traffic Safety Education require a total of 24 hours of classroom instruction (lecture) and 24 hours of laboratory (in-car) instruction. Therefore, a student must complete all 48 hours of the program in order to receive the “Student Certificate of Completion” (MV-285).  The NYS certified instructor is forbidden by NYS law from issuing the MV-285 to any student who has not met the attendance requirements. Please be aware that students must make arrangements to attend all classes (no absences allowed).  Students and parents WILL NOT be notified of accruing absences. If students are taking responsibility for driving a motor vehicle then students MUST be responsible for their own absences and communication with their parents.

The Fall and Spring sessions require students to attend one in-car instruction class and one lecture class each WEEK for a period of 16 weeks. Therefore, all students must be available to commit themselves to three hours total each WEEK: 90 minutes of in-car instruction (parent/guardian) and 90 minutes of classroom lecture.

During the Summer session, driving and lecture classes meet every DAY starting in late June through the month of July (no absences allowed). Therefore, all students must be available to commit themselves to three hours total each DAY: 90 minutes of in-car instruction (parent/guardian) and 90 minutes of classroom lecture.

Class rosters will be posted outside the high school main office, on the REMIND APP and on the DE website notifying students of their assigned lecture and driving class day/time. Changes will not be made. Before registering, please consider all responsibilities including SAT/ACT testing, review classes, music/drama commitments, college visitations, after-school/Saturday commitments including sport schedules and events, club activities, volunteer/community service responsibilities, employment schedules and family obligations in accordance with the attendance policy stated above before choosing to enroll in this program. Students and parent/guardians should thoroughly discuss this commitment and the attendance policy as there will not be any exceptions.  

All current session class dates and times are posted on the Driver Education Google Site on the West Islip Public Schools website. Please refer to the session schedule to be certain that absences will not occur.  MV-285 completion certificates will not be issued in the event of missed classes. In the event class cancellation due to inclement weather, a REMIND message will be sent to all subscribers (parents and/or students) and information will be placed on the school website.  The lecture instructor will determine a plan for any classes cancelled due to weather.  ​

Please note that the Driver Education program is a community service provided to the students of the West Islip School District and is NOT a part of the regular high school academic curriculum; therefore students do not receive any high school credit upon completion. As the West Islip School District works in compliance with the NYS DMV to facilitate this program, a student cannot be excused for any school activity, which may contribute to a student missing a lecture class.   

COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS:

Students who successfully complete the program with a passing grade of “65” or better in both classroom and laboratory instruction will receive a “Student Certificate of Completion” (MV-285) issued by New York State DMV.  Receiving a certificate is contingent upon receiving a passing grade for the course, which includes attendance, completion of classwork, driving assessments, participation, and attitude in both the lecture classroom and driving car.  The MV-285 certificate will be mailed to the address listed on the student's NYS Learners Permit approximately two-four  weeks after the session has ended. 

The MV-285 is a numbered form, and the student must provide the form number to the Department of Motor Vehicles when registering for a road test.  At the bottom of the form is a perforated section.  Please keep the bottom section to submit to your insurance company for a possible discount on insurance premiums. Please note the MV-285 certificate is valid for two years from the original date it is issued. Driving test appointments should not be made until the student receives their MV-285 form in the mail.

CERTIFICATES/ LOST CERTIFICATES:

It is important to keep the MV-278 Five Hour Certificate (expires after 1 year) and MV-285 Certificate of Completion certificate (expires after 2 years) in a SAFE PLACE until needed for scheduling a road test and/or applying for a senior license (treat them like birth certificates). The certificates are signed by a school district administrator and the certificate numbers are registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.  Acquiring a duplicate MV-278 or MV-285 certificate requires preparation of another certificate and re-registration to NYS DMV.  Therefore, if a certificate needs to be replaced, it must be ordered from DMV, which is a lengthy process and could take up to one month to process.

Students can use either their MV-278 Five Hour certificate or their MV-285 Certificate of Completion certificate for their road test. If a student uses their MV-278 Five Hour Certificate to take their road test, upon their 17th birthday, they can go to a DMV and provide their MV-285 Certificate of Completion for a senior license (check DMV requirements to apply for a senior license).  NYS does NOT allow students to drive to school without a SENIOR LICENSE. 

MV-278 Certificates will NOT be issued during the summer DE session since the course is only 4 weeks. 

SEQUENTIAL PROCESS:

1) Successfully Pass Lecture 

2) Successfully Pass In-Car Driving Lessons

3) MV-285 Certificate of Completion will be mailed home with instructions within 3 weeks of course ending.

REFUND POLICY:

If a student submits a registration application and cannot be accommodated because all driving and lecture classes are filled, all monies will be returned approximately two weeks after registration closes.

If a student withdraws during the first week of class, a 75% refund will be granted. Thereafter, no tuition refund will be authorized. If a student is scheduled for a class and cannot attend the days and/or times assigned, a full refund will be given upon notification before the first class. Please e-mail Lorraine Kolar, Registration Coordinator at l.kolar@wi.k12.ny.us  as soon as possible.

ENROLLMENT:

Student preferences are selected and scheduled by birth date order; oldest first, until all seats are filled. Please note that class rosters are final and changes cannot be made! Therefore, before submitting a registration application, please review the dates/times of the program to be certain that you will be available to attend all days and times of all sessions.

ELIGIBILITY: 

Students must have reached the age of 16 to apply for the Driver Education program. In addition, students must possess either a NYS Learner Permit or Junior License to be accepted into the program.  Students must register in person.  Written parental permission is needed. 

COST OF PROGRAM:

$590.00 for all students .  Cost does not include Road Test Service or use of the vehicle for the road test. FULL PAYMENT for the program is due with the registration application. Checks will be deposited after class rosters are created (within 2 weeks after registration). 

PRACTICAL TIPS:

• No flip flops may be worn during the driving portion of the lesson. All shoes must have backs. Students who wear backless shoes will not be permitted to drive during the lesson and will be required to make up the time.
• Students must bring their NYS learner permit to each driving session. 
• If a student was injured and is wearing a cast, brace, boot, or sling, driving is not permitted. 
• Fall and Spring sessions: 
  • Driving cars meet outside WIHS in the upper parking lot near the Fitness Center entrance (not during Covid). Students must be on time as cars will not wait for students who arrive late.  Lecture classes are held virtually. Accepted students will receive a link to the virtual lecture lessons.
• Summer session:
  • Meeting locations will be posted in registration packet.  

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For further information please e-mail: