DRIVER EDUCATION FALL 2024 IS FULL

Residents of the Orchard Park Central School District have first priority to participate in the driver education program.  Registration dates and times are listed below. If there are remaining spots after OPCSD students have had the opportunity to register, non-district students will be allowed to participate by clicking on the link that will be available on this page beginning August 26, 2024.

Participants must attend all scheduled theory and driving classes to acquire the minimum number of hours established by New York State.  There are no make-up sessions.  If a student cannot meet all classes, s/he should not sign up for the program.  Students will be given a calendar with their complete schedule at registration.  This schedule is subject to change, therefore the final schedule for a student is determined by the instructor. You must be flexible.

The fall session will begin on approximately September 23, 2024 and will run through approximately the end of December/early January (depending on the instructor and the weather). We have two instructors and their schedules do vary somewhat. Lectures will meet for an hour and a half weekdays after school (times and days depending on the instructor) for 16 lectures.  Students will drive 2-3 times per week for an hour and a half for 16 drives in a time slot selected at registration (based on availability).  The calendar received at registration will list all lecture and drive times.  

Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a Certificate of Completion (MV-285, a.k.a. “The Blue Card”).  This certificate allows students to schedule road test appointments with the Department of Motor Vehicles and apply to change their junior license to a full license at the age of 17.  Also included is the “Eligibility for Reduction of Insurance Premium” certificate which may be presented to the student’s insurance company.  Please check with your individual carrier in regard to the discount that may be given.

The 5-Hour Prelicensing certificate (MV-278) is also included in the Driver Education program and will be given to students upon request once the content of the pre-licensing program has been covered in the classroom and the student successfully passes the test. 

The MV-278 can also be used to schedule a road test with the Department of Motor Vehicles if so desired before the completion of the full Driver Education course.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

In order to eliminate long lines to register for Driver Education, STUDENTS MUST PRE-REGISTER ON-LINE AND WILL BE ISSUED A NUMBER WHICH WILL INDICATE THEIR POSITION IN LINE. 

Each session (fall, winter/spring and summer) of Driver Education has a limited number of seats.  The limit for the fall 2024 session is expected to be approximately 25. When the limit has been reached, we will allow an additional ten (10) students to obtain a position in line, then the website will not be accessible.  The ten additional students may or may not be placed in a class, depending on how many students with lower position numbers decide to withdraw their registrations.  History shows that these 10 students have been successful at being placed in a class, however there is no guarantee.

Each Driver Education registration session (Fall, Winter/Spring, and Summer) will be an independent event with no carry over (“wait listing”) from the previous session.

The student and/or parent must be present on Saturday, September 7, 2024 to get an available seat for the fall session.  Times to report for registration are as follows, according to your line assignment number:

#1 –10                  8:00am
#11-20                  8:20am
#21-35                  8:40am

Arriving earlier than your assigned time does NOT increase your chance of getting a seat. 

Orchard Park Students and Non-Public Students: Login to the Parent Portal and click forms. 

These links will be available to certain individuals, at certain times, according to the following schedules:

CURRENT SENIORS (class of 2025) may log in to obtain their line assignment on Monday, August 19, 2024, starting at 5:00 p.m. 

CURRENT JUNIORS (class of 2026) may log in to obtain their line assignment on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, starting at 5:00 p.m.

CURRENT SOPHOMORES (class of 2027) may log in to obtain their line assignment on Thursday, August 22, 2024, starting at 5:00 p.m. 

OUT OF DISTRICT – may log in to obtain their line assignment on Monday, August 26, 2024, starting at 5:00 p.m.

DON’T MISS OUT!  REGISTER EARLY~ OPCSD STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER FIRST ON THE DATES LISTED ABOVE.  BEGINNING Monday, August 26, 2024, DRIVER EDUCATION LINE ASSIGNMENT NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENTS.

Each student and/or his/her parent must then be present for the actual registration that will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Community Education Office at the Orchard Park High School Cafeteria (Baker entrance please). Since everyone registering will have an assigned line number, there is no reason to arrive any earlier than 7:45am.  We will begin promptly at 8:00am.  If you are not present when your line number is called, you must wait at the end of the line. Line order numbers will be strictly followed.  For example, if a parent is registering more than one child and the children do not have consecutive numbers, the parent must re-enter the line at the correct spot to register the second child. 

Items to bring with you:

• Payment of $480.00 (checks or cash only-no credit cards. Checks payable to Orchard Park Central School District) There are absolutely NO REFUNDS.
• Student’s Learner’s Permit or Driver’s License PLUS ONE COPY of the permit or license.
• A student may register for Driver Education without a permit. However, she/he MUST have it by the first day of class (Monday, September 23, 2024) 
• Your printed line assignment page from the website signed by parent/guardian.
• A valid and current school identification card

 For more information, please call the Community Education Office at 209-6295.