The Registration for the Spring 2025 Driver's Education Program is now OPEN!

Driver's Education opportunities through Carmel High School are provided by the American Driving Academy, Inc. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• This program is open to students who live within the boundaries of the Carmel Central School District. 

 

• Students must be 16 years of age by the start of the first class and have a valid NY State Learner’s Permit (MV-100).  A student can REGISTER for the program without yet having a learner's permit but MUST have obtained their permit by the first class.

 

• There will be a MANDATORY orientation that must be attended by the student and a parent/guardian. No student will be allowed to participate in the program without attending the orientation. The orientation date is Friday, January 24, 2025, at 5:30 pm in Carmel High School, Casey Hall.  

 

• The program is 32 sessions – 16 class lectures and 16 driving sessions at which each student gets 6 hours behind the wheel instruction during the course of the program. The student must attend all 32 sessions to receive their completion certificate.
  
  
• For the lecture sessions, students will receive 16 lectures instructed by Mr. Buccheri in room 400 at Carmel High School.  The lectures are on Wednesdays for 1 ½ hours each.

 

• For the driving sessions, students will receive 16 driving sessions.  Students will be in a car with three other students and an instructor from the American Driving Academy.  Students will be picked up and dropped off at the Carmel High School library entrance for all driving sessions.   Each session is 1 ½ hours.
  
  
• This is a pass/fail course. A student must pass the course in order to receive a course completion certificate.
  
  
• This program teaches the student proper techniques, laws, and responsibilities pertaining to driving in New York State. The course provides 48 hours of instruction as mandated by New York State, certified instructors, and the 5-hour NYS Pre-licensing certification (i.e., you do not have to take a separate 5-hour pre-licensing course if you enroll in this program.) 
  
  
• Upon successful passing and full completion of the entire course, students will receive an MV-285 (Course Completion Certificate) from the district which will be distributed in the main office approximately 2 weeks later during school hours. This provides a 10-15% premium insurance discount through most insurance companies, and a Class D (senior) driver’s license at age 17 upon successfully passing the NY state road test & submitting their MV-285 to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles
  
  

COST

• The cost of the course is $700.  (Please note that the increase in the cost of this program is due to the increased cost of insurance, gas and labor (American Driving Academy). Before registering for this program, you can contact your insurance company to find out how much you will save over the first three years having your son/daughter on your insurance policy, if they take Driver’s Education.) 
  
  
• Payment can be made in cash or a check made payable to Carmel Central School District. 
  
  
• Your cash or check payment MUST BE RECEIVED with your registration form.

 

REFUND POLICY

• If a student cannot be accommodated because classes are filled, all monies will be returned. No refunds will be given once the program has started.
  
  

ATTENDANCE

• Before registering, please consider your other time commitments that might interfere with your full participation with this program (i.e., sports, vacation, employment schedules, and academic responsibilities.) No refunds will be given once the program has begun. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Spring 2025 Program Information

 Spring 2025 Driver Education Program Information Form.pdf  

Program Dates: Monday, February 3, 2025 – Saturday, May 24, 2025 

 (End date may extend due to weather or unforeseen closures.)

Mandatory Orientation for Parent/Guardian & Student:

Friday, January 24, 2025, 5:30 PM at CHS, Casey Hall

Lectures

(90-minute sessions – 1 x weekly for 16 weeks = 24 hours)

Wednesdays Only

Carmel High School – Room 400

Mr. Rob Buccheri, Lecturer

On your registration form, you will choose a time from the groups below:

Group A - 2:00 PM -3:30 PM

Group B - 3:30 PM-5:00 PM

Behind-the-Wheel / In-Car Instruction

(90-minute sessions – 1 x weekly for 16 weeks = 24 hours)

Location:  Carmel High School – Library Entrance (pick up and drop off)

On your registration form, you will choose a day – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays and a time from the groups below: - Drive times will be confirmed at orientation.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays

Group 1 - 2:00 PM-3:30 PM

Group 2 - 3:30 PM-5:00 PM

Registration - Closes Friday, January 24, 2025 or when all seats are full.

The student must be 16 years old, a resident of the Carmel Central School District and have a valid NYS DMV Permit or Driver’s License by Friday, January 31, 2025.

Please submit the following to the Carmel High School main office - Attn:  Mrs. Ferraro.

1.) Registration Form - Spring 2025 Driver Education Registration Form.pdf 

2.) a copy of permit or driver’s license  (must have permit by January 31, 2025)

3.) PAYMENT - $700 - a check or money order made payable to Carmel Central School District (place in

     memo – Driver’s Ed and student’s name. (Cash is also accepted.)

 First registered, first choice – Spaces are limited.

 

Thank you for your interest in our program.