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Driver Education

NYS Approved Driver Education Program

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 Letter 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.
 

UPDATE: 8/7/2026-Registration for the Fall Session is FULL/CLOSEDInformation for the Winter/Spring Driver Education Session will be posted in mid-December. Course begins end of January, 2027.

FALL SESSION-CALENDAR SUMMARY:

Course runs Monday, August 31, 2026 through and including Thursday, December 17, 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.

**Instructions will be rescheduled to Fridays, certain weeks, due to Holidays and/or School Recess.

Click link to view Full Calendar detail: 2026-Fall Driver Education Calendar.pdf

REGISTRATION ENROLLMENT:  **8/7-Registration for Fall Session is NOW CLOSED/FULL**

Registration form will be available AUGUST 3rd-5:00 AM through August 17th- 4:00 PM*

*Registration will close prior to deadline, if course is full.*

Enrollment is on a first-come first-serve basis.  This is NOT an on-line registration form. Emailing the completed form and required documentation is the quickest way to secure a spot. Check payments should be mailed or brought to High School Main Office. See Registration Form for more details.

  • 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 pass Driver Education will receive the MV-285 Letter of Completion. 
  • Road Test scheduling is NOT included with this program.

NOTE:  A copy of the student’s permit or license must be included with the registration form. Students who will turn 16 AFTER August 17th , through and including August 28, 2026, may register for the course, but the NYS Learner’s Permit/Interim Permit MUST be acquired BEFORE the course start date. A copy of the permit MUST be given to the Driver Ed Secretary BEFORE the first day of classes – this is a NYS Education law.

 COST:

The cost of the program and acceptable forms of payment are:

  1. $700.00- CHECK made payable to: “CLARENCE CENTRAL SCHOOLS" 
  2. $730.00- VISA/MASTERCARD (cost 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. 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.  Instruction make-up days have been scheduled for: November 20th and December 18th.

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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GENERAL NYS DMV INFORMATION:

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 Letter of Completion (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 Letter of Completion is issued 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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