Driver Education
Driver Education is offered to all students enrolled in high school (9-12) within Jackson County and between 14 ½ and 18 years of age. Class dates are part of the morning announcements a few days prior to the beginning of the class. A driver education fee will be required at the time of registration. Jackson County Public Schools has a process for student fee waivers. If a student is in need of a fee waiver, the parent/guardian is requested to contact the school principal and make a fee waiver request.
Students must satisfactorily complete a 30-hour course and six hours of behind the wheel driving to obtain a Driver Education Completion Certificate. The 30-hour course is offered periodically throughout the year at Smoky Mountain High School and Blue Ridge Early College. In lieu of the 30 hour course a 200 question proficiency test is available throughout the school year. To prepare for the proficiency test a Driver Education Study Guide is available at the school’s main office. Students may take this test only once. If the student does not pass, he/she must complete the entire 30-hour course.
The six hour driving component is scheduled with each student based upon when the student satisfactorily completes the 30-hour course or passes the proficiency test and their age. Driving is primarily scheduled in the afternoons and Saturdays.
To obtain the NC limited learner permit a student must be 15 yrs. old and completed the driver education program. He/she will hold the limited learner permit for one year and can then apply for a limited provisional license. For additional questions, please call (828) 586-2456.
Effective as of August 1, 1999, the school is required to notify the NC Division of Motor Vehicles whenever a student drops out of school or is not making adequate progress (a student must be passing three out of four classes each semester).
Contacts
Sue Blankenship
Driver Education Coordinator
(828) 586-2311 ext. 1805