Driver Education, Fine Arts, and Science

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death among teens. That’s why driver education is more than just learning how to operate a car—it’s about developing good habits, understanding the rules of the road, and learning how to make smart decisions behind the wheel.
Our program is designed to support students through every step of the process, from classroom instruction to hands-on driving practice. We follow all guidelines set by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and meet the legal requirements outlined in Utah Administrative Code R277-746, ensuring that our curriculum is thorough, up-to-date, and focused on safety.

Tooele County School District provides a comprehensive driver education experience that includes:

• Classroom or Online Instruction: Students can choose between in-person classes or a state-approved online course to learn the basics of driving, traffic laws, and risk management.
• Behind-the-Wheel Training: Our certified instructors guide students through real-world driving scenarios, including city streets, highways, and parking maneuvers.
• Road Skills Testing: Students who complete the program may be eligible to take their road test through our district or at the Driver's License Division (DLD).
   

We’re committed to helping students become lifelong safe drivers. Our instructors are certified, experienced, and patient. We also work closely with parents and guardians to ensure students get the support they need both in and out of the car.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking for specific details about scheduling, fees, or licensing, this site is your go-to resource for everything related to driver education in Tooele County.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the steps students must follow to earn a driver's license in Utah. These steps follow Utah State Law and are supported by the Tooele County School District Driver Education Program.

Step 1: Get Your Learner Permit

• Must be at least 15 years old
• Complete the online application
• Schedule an appointment at a Driver License Division (DLD) office
• Bring the required documents and a parent/guardian to sign for financial responsibility
• Pass a written knowledge test (50 questions)
• Pay the permit fee: $19
• Learn more about the permit process 

Step 2: Complete a Driver Education Course
You must complete a state-approved driver education course, which includes:

• Classroom Instruction:
  • 27 hours MINIMUM (Tooele County Schools)
  • 18 hours (Private/Commercial Schools)
  • 30 hours (Online/Home Study)
• Behind-the-Wheel Instruction: 6 hours
• Observation: 6 hours (required by Tooele County School District)
• View approved course options

Step 3: Complete Practice Driving Hours

• Must log 40 hours of driving, including 10 hours at night
• These hours are typically completed with a parent or guardian
• Use a driving log to track your hours (available from your instructor or online)

Step 4: Hold Your Permit for 6 Months

• You must hold your learner's permit for at least 6 months before applying for a license
• This applies to all students under 18
• More details on permit-holding requirements 

Step 5: Take the Road Skills Test

• You can take the test through:
  • Tooele County School District (if enrolled in district driver ed)
  • Third-party examiners (private schools or independent testers)
  • Driver's License Division (DLD) 
• Must bring your learner's permit and any other required documents if not testing with TCSD
• Find road test info 

Step 6: Apply for Your Utah Driver's License

• Schedule a final appointment at the DLD
• Bring all required documents
• Pay the license fee
   

Tooele County School District Driver Education

What’s Included:

• Classroom Instruction: 27 hours minimum (in-person or approved online)
• Behind-the-Wheel Training (BTW): 5 hours with a certified instructor (6th hour completed with “StreetSmarts” Simulator program in Classroom portion)
• Observation Hours: 5 hours (required by district)
• Road Skills Test: Offered through the district for eligible students
• Cost
  • Classroom- FREE
  • BTW- $150
  • Road Test- $30
• Scheduling: Coordinated through your high school’s driver's ed coordinator
• Locations: Available at Tooele High, Stansbury High, Grantsville High, Desert Peak High, Blue Peak High, and Dugway High, as well as Online for any Student
•  Learn more about Tooele County Schools Driver Ed 

Pros:

• Lower cost
• Integrated with the school schedule
• Trusted district instructors
• Road test may be included

Private Driving Schools 

What’s Included:

• Classroom Instruction: 18 hours (in-person) or 30+ hours (online)
• Behind-the-Wheel Training: 6 hours
• Observation Hours: May or may not be included
• Road Skills Test: Offered by third-party testers (not by the same school)
• Cost: $350–$400+ for full course

Pros:

• Flexible scheduling
• Faster completion (some finish in 3 weeks)
• Evening and weekend options
• It may be more convenient for busy families

Important Note:

• Private schools cannot administer the road test to their own students unless they are DLD-approved. Students must schedule with a third-party examiner or the DLD.
• Must use DLD-approved course/provider.
• Be aware that many online driver education courses are offered on the internet.
• These courses may provide driver education or practice testing; however, they have not been approved by the Driver License Division and cannot be accepted as proof of driver education completion. 

Choosing between Tooele County School District (TCSD) and Private Driving Schools depends on your priorities—cost, time, flexibility, and requirements.

Cost

• TCSD Driver Education: $100–$150
  • Fee waivers may be available for qualifying students
• Private Driving Schools: $350–$400+
  • No fee waivers offered

Time & Scheduling

• TCSD:
  • Integrated with the school schedule
  • May have waitlists for behind-the-wheel sessions (2–4 weeks)
• Private:
  • Flexible scheduling (evenings/weekends)
  • Often faster completion (sometimes within 3 weeks)

Requirements

• TCSD:
  • Follows State Requirements 
  • Extra District Requirements
    • Observation hours- 5 total
  • 27+ hours of classroom
• Private:
  • Follows State Requirements
  • 18 hours of classroom or 30+ online
  • 6 hours driving (observation may not be included)
  • Fewer classroom hours, but the same state minimums for driving

Testing

• TCSD:
  • Road test offered through the district
  • Results sent electronically to DLD
• Private:
  • Might need to schedule a road test with a third-party examiner or DLD

Which Is Best for You?

• Choose TCSD if:
  • You want the lowest cost
  • You prefer working with school instructors
  • You don’t mind a longer timeline
• Choose Private if:
  • You need flexible scheduling
  • You want to finish quickly
  • You’re okay with a higher cost

Step 1: Meet the Age Requirement

• You must be at least 15 years old to enroll in any Utah driver education program.
• A learner permit is required before starting behind-the-wheel training, but you can begin classroom instruction without it.

Step 2: Choose Your Classroom Option

You have three approved options for completing the classroom portion of driver education:

1. In-Person at Your High School
   • Offered at: Tooele High, Stansbury High, Grantsville High, Desert Peak High, Blue Peak High
   • Includes 27+ hours of classroom instruction, plus 5 hours driving and 5 hours observation (6th Required hour is fulfilled in the classroom using the “StreetSmarts” Simulation program)
   • Scheduling is coordinated through your school’s driver's ed coordinator and the district Driver Education Software.
2. Online Through the District Digital Education Center
   • Flexible, self-paced course (approx. 30 hours)
   • Students will choose from one of five available terms to complete the course
     1. If not completed by the last day of the term, the student fails the course and must start again in the future
   • After finishing online coursework, you’ll schedule behind-the-wheel sessions with a district instructor. Alternatively, you can choose to drive with a private school. Be sure to review their policies and procedures to understand their requirements. TCSD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PRIVATE DRIVING SCHOOL.
3. Private/Commercial Driving School
   • Examples: Tooele Driving School, Utah Elite Driving School
   • Typically includes 18 hours of classroom or 30+ hours online, plus 6 hours driving
   • Important: Once you choose a private school, the district cannot provide behind-the-wheel training or testing for you.
   • TCSD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PRIVATE DRIVING SCHOOL. PLEASE REFER TO THEIR WEBSITES/CONTACT INFO FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Step 3: Other Requirements & Recommendations

• Learner Permit: Required before any driving sessions
• Practice Driving: Plan for 40 hours of practice driving (10 at night) with a parent or guardian
• Parent Involvement: Parents must sign for financial responsibility if students are under 18
• Recommendation: Start classroom instruction early (sophomore year) to avoid delays.

Step 4: Register

• District Enrollment: Register through your high school or Tooele County School District Driver's Ed
• Online Enrollment: Request through the Digital Education Center

Private School Enrollment: Contact the school directly

To be done once section is updated on Google Doc.

• District Program:
  • 5 hours of driving + 5 hours observation with a certified instructor
  • Scheduled through your high school’s driver ed coordinator and district software.
  • Road Test may be included
• Private Driving School:
  • 6 hours of driving (observation may not be included)
  • Scheduled directly with the private school
    Important: If you choose a private school for classroom instruction, the district cannot provide behind-the-wheel training OR TESTING

Requirements

• Must have a learner's permit before any driving sessions
• Parent/guardian permission slip
• Cost: $150 for BTW, $30 for Road Test- pay at your school with the school registrar 
• Practice Driving: Utah law requires 40 hours of practice (10 at night) with a parent or guardian.

Signing Up & Scheduling

• District: Sign up through DES after completing classroom instruction
• Wait List: Estimated 4–6 weeks during peak times, but this can vary
• Scheduling: Students select available time slots; sessions are typically 2 hours each
  Tip: Schedule early—delays can push back your license eligibility.

What to Expect During a Drive

Each session focuses on:

• Basic vehicle control (start, stop, turn)
• Residential and city driving
• Lane changes and merging
• Highway driving
• Parking maneuvers (parallel, angle, perpendicular, Hill)
• Mandatory Utah DLD Maneuvers (3-point turn, U-Turn, Backing) 
• Defensive driving techniques
  Expectation: Practice these skills between sessions with a parent.

Completion Timeline

• All drives should be completed within 6–8 weeks of starting behind-the-wheel training.
• Delaying scheduling may result in longer wait times and postponed licensing.

Cancellation & No-Show Policy

• Late Cancel (<24 hours) or No-Show: Repeated no-shows may result in removal from the schedule, and include fines, per TCSD Policy 11024

1. Finish Required Practice Hours

• Utah law requires 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian, including 10 hours at night.
• Keep a driving log to track your hours. Your parent/guardian will certify these hours when you apply for your license.

2. Take the Road Skills Test

• You can schedule your test:
  • Through Tooele County Schools (if enrolled in district driver ed)
  • With a third-party tester (private schools or independent examiners)
  • At a Utah Driver License Division (DLD) office
    Schedule a DLD Dest

What to Bring:

• Learner permit
• Other documents as required if not testing with TCSD.

3. If You Pass

• Your results are sent electronically to the DLD.
• Schedule a final appointment at the DLD to get your license.
• Pay the license fee and complete any remaining paperwork.
  • Tip: The DLD can take a long time for walk-in appointments. To maximize your time, make an appointment ahead of time.

4.1 If You Fail (TCSD Drivers)

• You must wait 24 hours before retaking the test.
• You can only take one test with TCSD.
• Future attempts must be taken at the DLD.  Schedule a DLD Test

4.2 If You Fail (Other Drivers)

• You must wait 24 hours before retaking the test.
• You can only take one test per day.
• After three failed attempts, you’ll need to pay the fee again.
• All tests must be completed within six months of paying the fee.

Requirements Before the Test

• Must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner permit for 6 months (if under 18)
• Completed:
  • Driver Education Course (classroom + behind-the-wheel)
  • 40 hours of practice driving (10 at night) with a parent/guardian
• Passed the written knowledge test and vision screening
• Bring:
  • Learner permit

Expectations During the Test

• Test lasts about 20-30 minutes
• Examiner will check:
  • Driving posture and control
  • Lane usage and signaling
  • Left and right turns
  • Starting and stopping smoothly
  • Parking (parallel, uphill, downhill)
  • Backing, U-Turn, and 3 Point Turns
  • Observance of traffic signs and signals
  • Attention at intersections
•  Watch mandatory maneuver videos

Preparation Tips

• Practice all maneuvers listed above
• Review the Utah Driver Handbook and take practice tests
• Avoid common mistakes:
  • Rolling stops
  • Forgetting Headchecks/Signaling
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving too fast or too slow

Important Tips

• Practice maneuvers like parallel parking, lane changes, hill parking, and U-turns before your test.
• Avoid common mistakes: rolling stops, speeding, following too closely, and one-handed steering.
• Watch mandatory maneuver videos for extra prep.

Step 1: Confirm You’ve Met All Requirements

Before applying for your license, make sure you have:

• Held your learner permit for at least 6 months (if under 18)
• Completed driver education (classroom + behind-the-wheel)
• Logged 40 hours of practice driving (10 at night) with a parent/guardian
• Passed the Traffic Safety and Trends Exam
• Passed the road skills test (through district, third-party tester, or DLD)

Step 2: Schedule Your DLD Appointment

• Complete the online application
• Schedule an appointment at a Driver License Division (DLD) office
  Make an appointment here
  Tip: Walk-ins have long wait times—appointments are strongly recommended.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

Bring the following to your appointment:

• Proof of Identity (e.g., certified birth certificate or U.S. passport)
• Social Security Number (SSN card, W-2, or pay stub)
• Two proofs of Utah residency (utility bill, bank statement, rental agreement)
• Learner permit
• Parent/guardian (if under 18) to sign for financial responsibility
  Full list of acceptable documents.

Step 4: At Your Appointment

• Present documents and confirmation number
• Take a vision screening
• Have your photo taken
• Pay the license fee: $39 (under 21) or $52 (21+)
• Receive your Utah driver's license

Important Notes

• Students who tested with Tooele County School District: Results are sent electronically to DLD.
• Students who tested elsewhere: Bring your completion certificate to the DLD.
• All tests must be completed within 6 months of paying the fee.