Driver Education

Course Description

Topics studied in Driver Education include rules, regulations, and procedures of driving, perception and communication, defensive driving, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian safety, driving in adverse conditions, emergency procedures, individual physical and emotional problems, the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver, insurance, and total driving responsibilities. Successful completion of this course is required for graduation. Driver Education is a one-quarter class and students are automatically enrolled in Personal Fitness for the next quarter.

Course Objectives

• Apply traffic laws and the Rules of the Road to various roadway situations and conditions.
• Develop the essential decision making skills for safe operation of a motor vehicle.
• Describe general performance capabilities of motor vehicles as well as physical and natural factors that affect vehicle control systems.
• Describe the legal and moral responsibilities for a person involved in a traffic crash situation, the financial responsibility law, and minimum insurance coverage.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the D.U.I. laws to ensure students make appropriate decisions in regard to the use of alcohol and other drugs before operating or riding in a motor vehicle.
• Develop the knowledge to perform basic maneuvers of a motor vehicle in multiple driving conditions.
• Develop an understanding of basic car care.

Absences and Tardies

The driver education classroom is structured to meet the requirements established by the State of Illinois and the Illinois State Board of Education. It is mandated that you receive 30 clock hours of instruction to pass the course. Therefore, if you miss more than SIX classes for ANY REASON during the first quarter, you will be dropped from the class with a grade of “F” and assigned to study hall.

Students will be placed with a Behind the Wheel (BTW) instructor when all student fees have been paid and the student has filled out the online registration form.  Students are not placed based on any "birth order" criteria.  It is first come, first served when all fees are paid and the form has been submitted.

WNHS BTW Registration Form

Once you are scheduled, the BTW instructor will contact you. 

• Online payments can now be made via the Power School Parent Portal.  Please contact the WNHS main office with questions regarding online payments and Power School.​
• The D200 fee waiver program applies to behind the wheel registration costs.  Please contact the WNHS main office for more information.

Classroom - Driver Education (Course No. 6112)

• Complete the online Permit Application (in class)
• Pass the required eye examination (in class)
• Pass the Rules of the Road Per Permit Test (in class)
• Bring $20 cash or a check made out to “Illinois Secretary of State” to your classroom instructor (for your driver’s permit application fee)
• Pass the class (30 hours)
  • Goal - Every student should strive to earn a grade of B- or better to take the road test with a D200 Behind the Wheel instructor.

Lab Portion - Driver Education Behind the Wheel (Course No. 6026)

• Students are strongly encouraged to have 5-10 hours of driving practice with an adult before signing up for Behind the Wheel (BTW).
• Students must pay all outstanding District 200 fees and obligations in full and pay the $270 Behind the Wheel (BTW) fee or qualify for a D200 fee waiver before being scheduled for Behind the Wheel. Once all payments are made, students will be scheduled for Behind the Wheel (BTW) based on the order in which they register.
• Behind the Wheel takes place before school, after school, during study hall, on Saturdays, or during Summer School. 
  • Complete the BTW Registration Form:   WNHS BTW Registration Form
  • You will be notified through school email of your driving time slot.
  • Pass BTW (6 hours driving and 6 hours observation time) *Goal is B- or higher.
  • Pass On-the-Road Driving Test
    • If your grade is a B- or better in the Classroom and BTW, you can take the On-the-Road Driving Test with your D200 BTW Instructor.
    •  If not, you will need to schedule a time to take the On-the-Road Driving Test at the Secretary of State Facility(SOS)/Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when obtaining your license.

Secretary of State Facility (DMV) - Get your License!

• To apply for your license at the SOS/DMV you must:
• Be 16 years of age or older
• Practice for 50 hours (10 at night)
• Hold your Driver’s Permit for 9 months (regardless of age)
• Take the necessary pieces of identification stated online

If any of these steps are completed after the end of your Senior year, you must wait to acquire your license at age 18 at the Secretary of State Facility (DMV).

For more information please visit the Illinois Secretary of State website.

Illinois Secretary of State

The Cooperative Driver Testing Program allows state-certified driver education instructors to administer the behind-the-wheel road exams to their driver education students. Instructor administered tests are regulated and approved by the Office of the Secretary of State. Students must:

• Complete a minimum of 30 hours of classroom study and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training;
• Receive a combined grade of A or B;
• Receive approval from parent/legal guardian;
• Pass an instructor-administered behind-the-wheel exam.

After the student has successfully completed an approved driver education course, the Illinois State Board of Education will send the information to the Secretary of State's office. To apply for a driver's license at age 16, a student who has held an instruction permit for nine months must visit a Driver Services facility and provide the following:

• 50 hour certificate verifying practice driving time
• Written parental consent
• Acceptable identification verifying full legal name, written signature, date of birth, Social Security number and Illinois residency
• The required fee.

The road exam is generally waived, however, to ensure the quality and integrity of the program, some students may be required to take the road exam.