Driver Education and a Parent/Guardian class is required by MA state law for any person under age 18 seeking to
obtain a driver's license.
The RMV requires 100% attendance. A missed module will result in making up the module. After 3 missed modules, students must attend a later class within the same school year without refunds.
All Wachusett High School rules and behavior expectations apply while in class and on road lessons.
Make sure you are fully prepared for class to avoid any delays/errors.
A parent/guardian class is required for students under 18 years of age. A parent/guardian class is typically held a few days before the student class is scheduled to begin. The date of the parent/guardian class is noted on the class registration form. Students will not be permitted to schedule road lessons (drive times) until the parent/guardian class has been completed.
Overview of Driver Ed Requirements
Students must be 15 years, 9 months of age to sign up for a Driver Education class.
Calculate age here to be sure that a student is eligible to begin a Driver Education class.
The Driver Education program includes 30 hours of classroom instruction, quizzes, a written final exam, 12 hours of road lessons with a licensed instructor and 6 hours observing another student driver.
Students must be 16 years of age, posses a valid MA Learners Permit, have completed the student Driver Education classroom hours, passed the written exam and have a valid parent/guardian class on file in order to schedule road lessons (drive times).
The Driver Education program will notify the RMV of a student's completion of the program.
Deposit ($450) or full payment ($900) is due upon registering for a class.
Full payment is due 14 days prior to the start of the class. See class registration form for specific payment due date.
Payments can be made in person at our high school main office or mailed to 1401 Main St. Holden, MA 01520, Attn: Driver Ed.
Checks should be made payable to 'WRSD'. Please include the student's full name/classroom date on the memo line.
The RMV-Approved curriculum for Drivers Ed classes includes:
1. Intro to Drivers Ed - Getting Started, Your Learner's Permit, JOL Requirements and Restrictions
2. Signs, Signals and Road Markings - Red, Green and Yellow Lights, Flashing Lights, Right/Left Turn Only lanes etc...
3. Understanding the Vehicle and Its Controls - Primary vs Secondary Controls
4. Basic Driving Skills - Steering Control, Driving Straight Ahead, Reversing, Making Safe Turns
5. Rules of the Road - Right of Way, Intersections & Rotaries
6. Making Safe Driving Decisions - Yellow Lights, Passing, Adjusting for Light and Weather Conditions, etc...
7. Sharing the Road - Trucks, Motorcycles, Emergency Vehicles, School Buses, Bicycles, Pedestrians
8. How Natural Law Affects Driving
9. Different Driving Environments - Rural vs. City vs. Highway
10. Driving in all Weather Conditions - Rain, Snow, Ice
11. Mental and Physical Effects on Driving - Anxiety/Depression, Injuries, OTC medications
12. The Dangers of Alcohol/Drugs and Driving
13. Distracted Driving - Hands Free Law, Distractions Inside the Vehicle vs. Distractions Outside the Vehicle
14. Consequences of Unsafe Driving and Poor Decision Making
15. Handling Emergencies and Breakdowns: Jump-starting a Dead Battery, Buying a Used Car, Car Insurance, Final Review
16. Final Exam and Classroom Presentations
*We add critical thinking exercises, driver ed related games/projects and quizzes to ensure our students are learning.