Driver's Education

Driver’s Education Course Overview

Photo of Driver's Ed car with two students and Campus Security ChiefLearning to drive is a major milestone in a teenager's life. It's important for young or inexperienced drivers to learn safe driving techniques. There are four different ways Joshua’s Law can be satisfied for teenagers to meet the requirements for a Class D license. The program offered by Wiregrass meets the option that includes 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 additional hours of drive time with an instructor. Most insurance companies also give a reduction (approx. 10%) on insurance premiums upon successful completion. Wiregrass provides a (DDS approved) Driver’s Education program in cooperation with the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission (GDEC).

Participants must be between 15 and 17 years of age and possess a Learner's Permit. Participants must attend all class dates for the full class periods. They must also complete all six (6) hours of behind-the-wheel driving.

Cost for the course is $350. There are a limited number of scholarships available through the Georgia Driver's Education Commission (see details below).

Class sizes are limited! Register early!


Driver’s Education Class Schedule

Drivers Education classes will be held face-to-face from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. The six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction will be scheduled after all classroom dates have been successfully completed.

SPRING 2024 CLASSES

Please note: Students must attend all four classes in each session.

VALDOSTA CAMPUS:

Class Dates: February 17, February 19, February 20, AND February 24
Registration for this session is closed. Summer dates will be announced in mid-March.

BEN HILL-IRWIN CAMPUS:

Class Dates: March 23, March 30, April 13, AND April 20

  • Deadline to Apply for GDEC Scholarship: February 29
  • Deadline to Submit Payment: March 14

Georgia Driver's Education Commission Grant Scholarship Program - Information for Students/Parents:

Georgia Driver's Education Grant Scholarship Program Authorized ProviderBeginning in January of 2017, the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission will begin a new scholarship program in which students may apply online for a driver’s education grant scholarship. The student will need to go to https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/gdec-resources/ to apply for the scholarship directly from the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission through an online application system. The Georgia Driver’s Education Grant Scholarship Program Eligibility Criteria can also be found on this website. Upon award of the scholarship, students will be provided with a redemption code and may choose a course provider from a list of authorized driver training schools to redeem the grant scholarship. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is an authorized training provider under the scholarship program. The driver training school will redeem their grant scholarship through an online portal. Once the student has completed the driver’s education course, the course provider will upload a copy of the student’s certificate of completion through an online portal and request reimbursement for the student’s driver’s education course fee.

Please note: Georgia Driver’s Education Scholarships are NOT awarded by Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Therefore, we will not be able to check application status nor answer questions about the process nor status of scholarships. Any scholarship inquiries will need to be directed to the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission. For additional information on the Georgia Driver's Education Commission, visit their website at www.gahighwaysafety.org/gdec/.

How Do I Register?

To register for a Driver’s Education Course, follow the steps below:

  1. Click on this link to register at WGTC Driver's Education Registration
  2. Submit a copy of your child’s learner’s permit to driversed@wiregrass.edu
  3. If you are NOT applying for a scholarship through the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission, contact Wiregrass Economic Development to pay the $350 course fee. Payments must be made at least one week prior to the first day of class. Call Alicia Meunier in Valdosta at 229.333.2122 or Nancy Mitchell in Fitzgerald at 229.468.2074.
  4. If you would like to apply for a scholarship through the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission, go to https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/gdec-resources/ to complete an online application. *NOTE: According to the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission, applications will be due by the last day of each month, and applicants should be notified of awards/denials via email on the 1st of each month.
  5. If you are awarded a scholarship voucher, take the voucher to your choice of course provider AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. At the time a student is awarded a voucher, they should receive a list of authorized training providers. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is an authorized training provider under the scholarship program. NOTE: There are specifications and deadlines for redeeming vouchers. Refer to Georgia Driver’s Education Grant Scholarship Program Eligibility Criteria for details.
  6. If you are not awarded a scholarship voucher, please contact Wiregrass Economic Development to pay the $350 course fee. Refer to #3 above for payment info.
  7. Please note that a parent/legal guardian is required to attend a mandatory Orientation with their student on the first day of class. Orientation usually lasts from 8:00 am – 9:00 am and parents are dismissed immediately after. Orientation will cover the outline of the class, have parents/legal guardians sign paperwork, and go over the rules and expectations of the course. As soon as Orientation ends, parents/legal guardians will be dismissed.
  8. [IMPORTANT] When contacting Economic Development regarding Driver’s Education, always include your student’s full name, class location, and the class date in your correspondence.

Office of Economic Development
O: (229) 333.2122
driversed@wiregrass.edu

Drivers Education