Wake students will have to pay for drivers' ed

wtvd

By ABC11

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

RALEIGH Beginning this August, students in the Wake County Public School System who enroll in driver education will have to pay a $45 fee to take the course.

In the past, WCPSS offered driver education at no cost to students between the ages of 14 and 18 with the state providing the funding.

However, this year a state budget shortfall prompted the NC General Assembly to cut more thatn $5 million from driver education classes across the state.

To make up the gap in state funding, lawmakers agreed to allow school districts to charge up to $45 for students to take the class. The Wake County Board of Education approved the $45 fee during its meeting on July 12. The fee goes into effect for all classes starting Aug. 25 or later.

The NC Department of Motor Vehicles requires students to complete 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind the wheel training before they are eligible to apply for their learner's permit.

For more details about the fee visit the Wake County Public School System's website.