Driver Education Theory
Continuing Education
30 hours | Required Course
Driver Ed Behind-the-Wheel
Continuing Education
12 hours | Required Course
(6 hours driving/6 hours observation)
Multiple school districts served
Learn to be a safe and responsible driver. Northwood Technical College is pleased to offer Driver Education to school districts within our region on a contracted basis.
Now online: Driver's Education Theory Class
The online driver education course is for Wisconsin residents only who are age 14 ½ and older. This course is offered through Northwood Tech's Blackboard online learning environment. Instructions for accessing Blackboard will be sent via email after registration is complete.
Students can register for the online course through the class link below or contact the drivers ed department to have registration information emailed to you; driversed@northwoodtech.edu or 715.234.7082, option 4.
Online Driver's Education Course
Welcome to our brand new online registration system!
If you’re registering and paying by credit card, click here to create your student profile (one-time only step).
Once your profile is complete, go to the Driver’s Education class listings, add the class of your choice to your shopping cart, check-out and pay.
Note: Our primary form of communication for our classes is email. There have been reports of some people not receiving the College's emails since the email domain changed to “NorthwoodTech.edu." Please check for emails from Northwood Tech by searching for the “northwoodtech.edu” domain in your spam and junk folder. You may mark Northwood Tech emails as “safe” or “not junk/spam.” to direct them to your inbox for future communications.
Driver's Education Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I receive driver’s education information?
- Submit contact information by:
- Submitting the information through our online form
- Call 800.243.9482, option 4.
- Submit contact information by:
- How old do students have to be to take driver education?
- Age requirements for each class are:
- Theory classroom – student must be 14 ½ and older
- Behind-the-Wheel – student must be 15 years old or older (and successfully completed theory class)
- Age requirements for each class are:
- How much does it cost?
- The cost of each class is:
- Theory classroom - $125
- Theory online - $125
- Behind-the-Wheel - $275
- The cost of each class is:
- Where are the classes held?
- Classes are held at the school district high school
- How do students get their permit?
- There are several steps/requirements:
- Students must be 15 years old or older, have completed their theory class and are scheduled to start behind-the-wheel training within 60 days of the date they wish to obtain their permit.
- Behind-the-wheel fee must be paid to Northwood Tech before the MV3001 form will be released to the student.
- An original MV3001 form signed and dated by the Traffic Safety Manager showing successful completion of theory.
- A certified copy of son/daughter’s birth certificate or passport
- Son/Daughter’s Social security card (or know the social security number)
- Parent/guardian must accompany son/daughter and sign the permit application
- Pay the DMV permit fee
- There are several steps/requirements:
- How many hours is the theory class?
- Theory class is 30 hours. Students may only miss one session and must attend the make-up session (if offered). If no make-up session is offered, students cannot miss any sessions. Students missing two or more classes will be dropped from the class with no refund.
- How many hours do students have to drive with an instructor? What if I miss my drive time?
- Please note these important requirements for behind-the-wheel drive times:
- Students are required to drive 6 hours and observe 6 hours with an instructor.
- Each student is paired with another student at all times to allow one student to drive an hour and the other to observe before switching and doing the same with the other student.
- If a student misses a scheduled drive time without notifying the instructor prior to the drive time, an additional $100 fee will be assessed to the student. This fee must be paid before Northwood Tech will report the student’s behind-the-wheel completion to the DMV.
- If a student needs to postpone or cancel their entire driving schedule, student must give Northwood Tech at least a 4-week notice. If student does not adhere to the 4-week notification requirement, a $100 rescheduling fee will be charged and must be paid before Northwood Tech will submit your child’s completion information electronically to the DMV.
- Please note these important requirements for behind-the-wheel drive times:
- How do students sign up for driving times?
- Northwood Tech has a master schedule for each instructor with several driving schedules. After a student has successfully completed and passed the theory class they will receive a “Next step email” with the information they need to obtain their permit. They should complete the registration form attached to the email and return to the college with payment. The college will contact the parent to set up their student's behind-the-wheel schedule. Once theses steps are completed, the college will send the student's permit application (MV3001) form) which is required to obtain the permit from the DMV.
- How many hours do parents/guardians have to drive with their son/daughter?
- Parent requirements include:
- Parents are required to drive at least 50 hours, with at least 10 hours at night. The more time a student is able to drive, the better prepared they will be for their road test and future driving experience.
- Parents are also required to keep track of this time in a Driving Log, which can be downloaded from the Wisconsin DOT website or kept on a separate sheet of paper.
- Parent requirements include:
- How do students get their driver’s license?
- There are several steps to obtain a license:
- Students must be at least 16 years old with no suspensions or revocations on their permit.
- Students must have held their permit for at least six months.
- Successfully completed the driver education theory classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction (6 hours of driving and 6 hours of observation).
- Driver’s education completion submitted electronically by Northwood Tech to the DMV. Completions will not be submitted until all outstanding fees on the student’s account are paid.
- A road test appointment scheduled through the DOT website: www.dot.wisconsin.gov
- Permit and sponsor (parent/guardian)
- Pass the required driver license test
- Pay required DMV fee
- There are several steps to obtain a license:
About the Courses
In Driver's Education, you will learn the basic rules of the road, how to control and operate a motor vehicle, emergency preparedness, sign identification and motor vehicle laws.
- Driver Education Theory (30 classroom hours): You will gain awareness of the driving task and the responsibilities that accompany it. You will demonstrate knowledge of traffic laws and regulations that help provide safe and efficient patterns, and learn what impact natural forces and conditions have concerning driving. Learn to identify hazardous conditions and react appropriately to avoid or minimize problems. You’ll also develop an attitude of safe, courteous and defensive driving.
- In person classroom instruction is offered at the high schools listed below who have contracted with Northwood Tech to provide this service. You must be 14 ½ years of age or older and enrolled as a student of that high school, or live within the district, if home-schooled.
- Online Theory class is available to any Wisconsin resident, 14 ½ years of age or older, regardless of what location or school district you live in.
- Driver Education Behind-the-Wheel (6 hours of driving and 6 hours of observation): You will put Driver Education Theory into practice with behind-the-wheel instruction and observation of fellow drivers in a driver's Ed vehicle with a certified instructor. Perform driving tasks and demonstrate the responsibilities that accompany them. You’ll learn to obey traffic laws and regulations and develop safe and efficient driving patterns, as well as practice safe, courteous, and defensive driving techniques.
- Behind-the-Wheel is only offered at the high schools. Students are picked up in the Driver's Ed vehicle at the high school.
Helpful Links
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Information on how and where to get your permit, schedule and take the road test and more.
Northwood Tech Driver's Education Student Contact Form
Complete this form to be added to our mailing/contact list
School Districts Served:
- Birchwood
- Birchwood upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Birchwood upcoming class schedule
- Cameron
- Cameron upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Cameron upcoming class schedule
- Chetek-Weyerhaeuser
- Chetek-Weyerhaeuser upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Chetek-Weyerhaeuser upcoming class schedule
- Clear Lake
- Clear Lake upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Clear Lake upcoming class schedule
- Cumberland
- Cumberland upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Cumberland upcoming class schedule
- Frederic
- Frederic upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Frederic upcoming class schedule
- Grantsburg
- Grantsburg upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Grantsburg upcoming class schedule
- Hudson
- Hudson upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Tuesdays & Thursdays (3-6pm) Class#65322
Class dates: 10/15, 10/17, 10/22, 10/24, 10/29, 11/5, 11/7, 11/12, 11/14, 11/19, 2024
One make-up session Thursday, November 21 (skip 10/31)
- PARENTS Please Note: The make-up session is only required for students who have missed one excused session. Students who miss 2 or more sessions will be dropped out of the class with no refund.
- Tuesdays & Thursdays (3-6pm) Class#65322
- Hudson upcoming class schedule
- LCO
- LCO upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- LCO upcoming class schedule
- Minong
- Minong upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Minong upcoming class schedule
- New Richmond
- New Richmond upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:15-6:15pm (10 sessions) Class#64832
Class dates: 10/15, 10/17, 10/22, 10/24, 10/29, 10/31, 11/5, 11/7, 11/12, 11/14, 2024
One make-up session Tuesday, November 19.
- PARENTS Please Note: The make-up session is only required for students who have missed one excused session. Students who miss 2 or more sessions will be dropped out of the class with no refund.
- Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:15-6:15pm (10 sessions) Class#64832
- New Richmond upcoming class schedule
- Prescott
- Prescott upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Prescott upcoming class schedule
- Prairie Farm
- Prairie Farm upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Prairie Farm upcoming class schedule
- Rice Lake
- Rice Lake upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (3:30-6:30pm) Class ID#65944
Class dates 11/4, 11/5, 11/7, 11/11, 11/12, 11/14, 11/18, 11/19, 11/21, 11/25, 2024
One Make-Up session Tuesday, November 26 - PARENTS Please Note: The make-up session is only required for students who have missed one excused session. Students who miss 2 or more sessions will be dropped out of the class with no refund.
- Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (3:30-6:30pm) Class ID#65944
- Rice Lake upcoming class schedule
- Shell Lake
- Shell Lake upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Shell Lake upcoming class schedule
- Siren
- Siren upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Siren upcoming class schedule
- Spooner
- Spooner upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Spooner upcoming class schedule
- St. Croix Central
- St. Croix Central upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee $125
- Mondays & Wednesdays (3:30-6:30pm) Class ID#64833
Class dates: 10/7, 10/9, 10/14, 10/16, 10/21, 10/23, 10/28, 10/30, 11/4, 11/6, 2024
One Make-up session Monday, November 11.
- PARENTS Please Note: The make-up session is only required for students who have missed one excused session. Students who miss 2 or more sessions will be dropped out of the class with no refund.
- Mondays & Wednesdays (3:30-6:30pm) Class ID#64833
- St. Croix Central upcoming class schedule
- St. Croix Falls
- St. Croix Falls upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- St. Croix Falls upcoming class schedule
- Winter
- Winter upcoming class schedule
Theory class fee: $125
- Northwood Tech will only be offering the theory class online.
- Winter upcoming class schedule