Driver Education
Clarence Community Education offers a New York State-approved Driver Education program. According to NYS law, to be eligible to participate, all students must be 16 years old before the first day of class and possess a valid NYS Driver's Permit or License. Successful completion of the course assures the student of an MV-278 Pre-licensing Certificate and an MV-285 Certificate of Completion enabling the student to drive at night at 17 years of age and obtain a discount on auto insurance. Some insurance companies do not accept the MV-285, so please check with your insurance agent before signing up for Driver Ed. There is no school credit for Driver Education.
UPDATED: December 8, 2025
CALENDAR SUMMARY:
Classes begin on Monday, January 26, 2026 and end on Friday, May 29, 2026**
This is a 16-week program 2 days per week (choice of either M/W or T/TH sessions) from 7:00 AM -8:30 AM each day, Classroom Instruction is held 1 day, and Driving Instruction is held the other day in the week.
**Please Note: Instructions will be rescheduled to Fridays, certain weeks, due to Holidays and/or School Recess.
Click link to view Full Calendar Detail: Driver Education Calendar-Winter/Spring Session 2026 pdf.
REGISTRATION ENROLLMENT-
Registration OPENS December 31, 2025-5:00 AM
NOTE: The link for Registration will be located HERE on 12/31/2025.
This is NOT an on-line registration form. Emailing the completed form is the quickest way to secure a spot. Forms may also be mailed or brought to High School Main Office. Details located on the registration form.
Registration DEADLINE is Wednesday, January 14, 2026- 4:00 PM.*
*Please note that enrollment is on a first-come first-serve basis, registration will close prior to deadline if course is full. Students who turn 16 AFTER January 14th but BEFORE January 23rd are still able to register; however, a copy of their permit MUST be given to the Driver Ed secretary BEFORE the first day of class or you will be dropped from the course. This is a NY State Education LAW!
- Registration forms should be filled out LEGIBLY.
- Student's legal name and current address should match what is listed on on their Learner's Permit or Driver's License.
- Include payment AND Copy of the Student’s Learner’s Permit/Interim Permit or Driver’s License.
- Payment will be processed after the first day of class.
- Final calendar, group vehicle assignments, and classroom information will be emailed to parents a few days prior to the first day of class.
- Students who successfully complete Driver Education will receive the MV-285 certificate.
- Road Test scheduling is NOT included with this program.
COST:
The cost of the program and acceptable forms of payment are:
- $700.00- CHECK made payable to: “CLARENCE CENTRAL SCHOOLS"
- $730.00- VISA/MASTERCARD (price includes credit card service fees).
- You may choose your payment option on the registration form.
- Payment is due during registration and will be processed after the first day of class.
- Any discrepancy in payment may delay certificate receipt.
ATTENDANCE:
In order to meet the NYS Education Class time requirements, ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED for EVERY Classroom AND Driving Instruction. **ANY instruction absence, regardless of reason, MUST BE MADE UP.
Instruction make-up days have been scheduled for: June 1st and June 2nd.
Students absent for more than 2 instructions (any combination of classroom and/or driving), will be dropped from the course with NO refund or certificate of completion.
QUESTIONS regarding Clarence Driver Education Program?
Send an email to: IPeterson@clarenceschools.org
All other general questions: Please contact NYS DMV or see information at the bottom of this page.
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The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles web page is a very valuable resource for information regarding permits, junior licenses, road tests, etc. The address is https://dmv.ny.gov/
Effective November 1, 2009, for all drivers: it is illegal to text or use any portable electronic device while the vehicle is in motion.
FYI: ARE YOU READY TO SCHEDULE YOUR ROAD TEST? You must have:
1) Valid NYS learner permit - new law effective 2/22/10 requires that a junior permit be held for at least 6 months before a junior or senior license will be issued.
2) Valid Pre-licensing Course Certificate (MV278) and Valid Driver Education Certificate (MV285) are given to each student in Driver Ed who passes the course. The MV278 is issued by the Driver Education Instructor before the end of the Course. The MV285 is mailed home approximately 10-14 business days after the session ends.
See the NYS Motor Vehicles' web page for more information
https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/schedule-and-take-road-test
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