Behind-the-wheel is regulated by the Virginia Department of Education and follows high quality standards and principles. Instructors at Manchester High School proudly uphold the VDOE policies and guidelines set forth to ensure quality education behind- the wheel of a car.
The licensing process in the state of Virginia can be a tedious one. Students must first successfully complete a 36 hour driver education course. At Manchester High School, students complete this class during their 10th grade year (1st semester) as a part of the Health and Physical Education class. When students are at least 15 and a half years old, families can take their teen to the DMV to take the necessary tests to obtain a learner’s permit. The student must hold the learner’s permit for a total of 9 months. Students should be recording their driving hours in the 45 hour log that the DMV provides or they can get the log from a Driver’s Ed teacher at the school.
The final step of the licensing process is behind-the-wheel. It is separate from the driver education course and is taken after school with a certified instructor. Behind-the-wheel is 7 days long and is on week days and some Saturdays. Services are provided all year round, and instructors teach during the summer months as well. Summer sessions are typically in the mornings. Students are encouraged to seek an appointment about 2 months before their 9 month learner’s permit requirement is complete.
More information on the licensing process can be found at www.dmvnow.com.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a moving motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth while using any handheld personal communications device to:
Protection of Bicyclists and Other Vulnerable Road Users
Senate Bill 437 makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to operate a vehicle in a careless or distracted manner if serious bodily injury is caused to a vulnerable road user. A vulnerable road user includes pedestrians, bicyclists, those using a wheelchair, those on skateboards or roller skates, those riding an animal or using an animal-drawn vehicle, and those using electric scooters.
Pedestrian Yielding Law
House Bill 1705 requires drivers yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing a highway by stopping and remaining stopped until the pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped. When a vehicle is yielding to the pedestrian, vehicles approaching from an adjacent lane or from behind the vehicle cannot pass the stopped vehicle.
Reckless Driving Punishment
House Bill 885/Senate Bill 63 increases the fine for those driving between 81 and 85 miles per hour in a 65 miles per hour zone. If convicted, the fine is an additional $100.
Hand-held cell phone use in work zones
Drivers shouldn’t ever be texting and driving, especially in construction zones – and now there’s a law to help prevent it. Those caught using a hand-held cell phone in a work zone will face a mandatory $250 fee.
Suspended drivers licenses
Virginia courts will no longer suspend drivers licenses for unpaid court fines and costs. The state will also reinstate driving licenses for more than 627,000 Virginians.
Child car seats
Parents in Virginia will be required to use rear-facing car seats for their children until they reach the age of two, or meet the minimum weight standards for a forward facing seat.
Car Inspections
The price of getting a car’s yearly safety inspection done will go from $16 to $20.
“Move Over” Reckless Driving Law
This law increases the punishment for drivers who violate the Move Over law in Virginia. A driver can be punished if they fail to move into a nonadjacent lane on a highway with at least four lanes when approaching a stationary vehicle displaying flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber lights, or, if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, to proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed. The old law said the first offense is a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $250, and a second offense is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. The new law would make all offenses reckless driving, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
A student must be at least 15 and 6 months old to be able to take the Learner’s Permit Test either at the DMV or at the Remote Testing offered at Manchester HS.
Manchester High School is pleased to announce that students can take the Virginia DMV learner’s permit test online at the school. This is for CCPS Students only. Students will be eligible to test if they are 15 years 6 months or older. Testing will resume in the 22-23 school year.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact the DMV by phone at (804) 497-7100 or by email at Alexsis Booher alexsis_booher@ccpsnet.net or Kristyn Baldwin Kristyn_Baldwin@ccpsnet.net
The paperwork and items that you are required to bring when signing up include:
Have passed Driver’s Education Classroom Course
Completed the 90 Minutes Parent/Guardian and Teen Driver Presentation (starting with 2025 graduates and beyond)
Learner’s permit (you must bring this with you to sign up or bring a photocopy)
If you are taking Behind-the-Wheel at Manchester High School, you do not need to request a DEC-1 certificate.
To request a DEC-1 Card you will need to call the front office at 804-739-6275 and request the form to be completed. The front office will verify everything and the certificate will be written within 48 hours of the request.
The certificate will be available at the front office for pick up.
School Day: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Address: 12601 Bailey Bridge Road
Midlothian, VA 23112
Office: (804) 739-6275
Clinic: (804) 739-6282
Fax: (804) 739-6340
Email: MCHS_Mail@ccpsnet.net
School Mascot: Lancers
School Colors: Navy Blue & Orange
Established: 1924
