Wappingers Central School District

1. Can I get a 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Certificate (MV-278) in Driver Ed?
The 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Certificate (MV-278) will no longer be issued in the Driver Education program.

If a student enrolls in Driver Education, they do NOT have to take a separate 5-Hour Pre-Licensing course because the Driver Education program includes the instruction included in the 5-Hour Pre-Licensing course, and the completion certificate received at the end of the program (MV-285) supersedes the MV-278.

If a student wishes to schedule a road test while in Driver Education, they must attend & pay for a separate 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course. These courses are given through WCSD once a month, or through other local organizations.

2. When do I get my Driver Education Completion Certificate (MV-285)?
You will receive the MV-285 in the mail approximately 3–4 weeks after the end of your Driver Education course. It will be mailed directly to you from the Driver Education office. Do not call the driving school or your instructor to inquire about when it will be sent.

3. How long is my MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate valid?
It is valid for two years from the date of issue.

4. How do I get my insurance discount?
The MV-285 is a two-part form. The top part is for the DMV and the bottom part should be sent to your insurance company.

5. What if I lose my MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate?
We can issue a replacement copy. However, it may take anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks to issue the replacement and may incur a replacement charge.

6. What do I need to make sure I have before I schedule my road test?
A valid NYS learner's permit: this must be valid on the date that you make the road test appointment and on the date that you take your road test. 

A valid MV-278 Pre-Licensing Certificate or valid MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate: the MV-278 or MV-285 must be valid at the time you schedule your road test, but can be expired on the date of your road test.

If you are under 18, you must have your permit for 6 months from the date your permit is issued to the date of your road test. However, if you are aged 17, have completed Driver Education and have a valid MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate, you are not required to wait 6 months.

A completed MV-262 form: if you are under 18, you must have a minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving before your road test, with at least 15 hours at night (after sunset.) You must bring the MV-262 Certificate of Supervised Driving completed and signed by your parent or guardian with you to the road test appointment. Please note: this form does NOT need to be signed by the driving school. Link to MV-262: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv262.pdf

7. How do I schedule my road test?
http://www.dmv.ny.gov/rtreq.htm

8. Is Driver Education held on days when schools are closed?
During the regular school year, there are no Driver Education classes or driving sessions held on days when schools are scheduled to be closed.

9. What about Superintendent Conference Days?
On Superintendent's Conference Days, there are no lecture classes held, but driving sessions may still be held at the discretion of the driving school.

10. What about cancelations due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances?
If schools are closed due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, there are no Driver Education lecture classes or driving sessions held that day. If after-school activities are canceled, Driver Education lecture classes & driving sessions are canceled as well. Make-ups will take place at some point during the session.

For driving sessions that are scheduled on Saturdays, in the event of a cancelation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will be contacted directly by your driving instructor.


11. What do I do if an emergency arises, and I have to miss a lecture class or a driving session?

• If you need to miss a driving session due to an emergency, contact your driving instructor at the phone number given to you at the beginning of your first driving session. Do not contact the Driver Education office.
• If you need to miss a lecture class, speak to the lecture instructor or contact the Driver Education office regarding make-up procedures.
• YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE UP ALL ABSENCES. 
  
  

12. How do I change my junior license to a senior license with Driver Education?
If you have a Class DJ junior license, and you complete a Driver Education course, you can change your Class DJ junior license to a Class D senior license when you are 17 years old.

To change the class of your driver's license, you must have an MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate.

Before Taking Your Road Test
If you have not taken your road test yet, give your MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate to the DMV examiner at your road test. The road test examiner may keep the MV-285, in which case, you will automatically be issued a photo Class D senior license on your 17th birthday. If this is the case, you will receive that driver's license in the mail within 2 weeks of your 17th birthday.

Some road test examiners will give you back the MV-285. In these instances, it will be YOUR responsibility to hold onto that certificate until your 17th birthday, at which time you will have to bring it to the DMV yourself to have your license switched from a Class DJ junior license to a class D senior license. 

After Taking Your Road Test
If you did not have your MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate when taking your road test, you must go to a DMV office to change your license class. Bring your class DJ driver's license and the MV-285 to a DMV office on your 17th birthday or any day after your 17th birthday. You will receive a temporary Class D driver's license, without photo, at the DMV office. The DMV will then mail your Class D driver's license, which you will receive in approximately two weeks.