In-Car Driver Education
The driver’s seat is waiting for you! Get behind the wheel with our personal, in-car driving lessons. Professional, patient and certified driving instructors are ready to teach you how to drive. Students drive in residential, rural, and downtown settings. Vehicles are equipped with audio and visual recording equipment. This is a Department of Education approved in-car driving program.
For high school students 16 years of age and older who currently hold a valid PA Learner’s Permit and reside within State College Area School District, Community Education offers six (6) hours of in-car instruction. The completion of an approved Driver Safety Education course is required PRIOR to registration. A vehicle is provided for use during the lessons; tests and instruction are scheduled by appointment. Our instructors are able to offer the PA Driver's License Test as part of the 6 hours of in-car instruction. The fee for the 2024-25 school year is $415.
For adult students, Community Education offers six (6) hours of in-car instruction WITHOUT the option of testing. The student must hold a valid PA Learners Permit. A vehicle is provided for lessons only and instruction is scheduled by appointment. Vehicles used for instruction include audio and visual recording. The fee for the 2024-25 school year is $475. For an additional fee, you may utilize our vehicle for the driving test at the DMV. We may also be able to pick you up and drop you off for your lessons for an additional fee.
To maximize driving time behind the wheel, we suggest that students have at least 10 hours of behind the wheel instruction with a parent or guardian and have a solid understanding of basic vehicle functions/operation (brake pedal, gas pedal, turn signals, etc) prior to registering for our program.
Driver Education FAQ
What are the inclement weather procedures?
In the event of inclement weather: If SCASD closes schools, dismisses students early or cancels after school or weekend activities, driving appointments are subject to cancellation. Driving may also be canceled at the instructor’s discretion and you will be contacted at the phone number on file.
My learner's permit will expire before my lessons are completed, how do I renew my permit?
To extend your learner's permit, you must complete this form and send it, along with payment, to the address listed on Page 2 or take it to the DMV.
What times are available for instruction?
Hours vary based on instructor availability. Plan on registering your student a minimum of 6-8 weeks prior to your intended start date, though that is merely a guideline. Sometimes we are booked many months in advance. Keep in mind, depending on your student's availability and openings in our instructors' schedules, it can take months to complete the lessons.
My student is eligible for a Senior License, how do I obtain the tester's signature?
Contact our office at (814) 231-1061 during business hours and we will give you the instructor's cell phone number. You will need to contact them to arrange a time to meet to obtain their signature. Learn more information from the PA DOT regarding a Senior License.
Will my insurance company offer a discount if my student does the in-car instruction?
You will need to contact your insurance company directly. At the conclusion of this course, each student is issued a Certificate of Completion, which many insurance companies require if they do offer discounts.
Does my student have to test with you?
No, students do not have to test with us. If you choose to test in Pleasant Gap, your student will complete 6 hours of instruction with us.
When can my child test?
Students are eligible to test 6 months after obtaining their permit, NOT 6 months after their 16th birthday, and once the 65 hours of supervised driving have been completed. Their eligibility date is printed on the permit.
Do I have to turn in a log of the 65 hours?
Prior to testing, we require you to sign a Certification Form in the presence of an instructor stating your child has had 65 hours as mandated. The 6 hours a student drives with us counts toward the 65 hours.
When should I register my high school student? They just received their permit, is it too soon?
The student can register for the In-Car Driver's Ed. Program once they have received their PA Learner's Permit. To complete registration, you will need to have the testing eligibility date that is printed on the Learner's Permit.
To maximize driving time behind the wheel, we suggest that students should have at least 10 hours of behind the wheel instruction with a parent or guardian and have a solid understanding of basic vehicle functions/operation (brake pedal, gas pedal, turn signals, etc) prior to registering for our program.
Does my student need to complete the theory component prior to registering for this course?
Yes, the completion of an approved Driver Safety Education course is required PRIOR to registration. PDE does not require this however to receive your completion card (if you will be submitting for an insurance discount) at the end of our program, you will need to complete the Driver Safety Education course as well as the 6 hours of in-car instruction.