Driving Classes
If you need to get your license or improve your driving skills, we're here to help! See our current list of classes below, including an accelerated program that will get you ready to schedule your road test. SEE FAQS
Traffic Safety and Driver Education
Get ready to schedule your road test and earn your driver's license! Our 48-hour evening course can be completed in as little as 16 classes. Suitable for all ages, DCC's course is by far the most cost-effective way to learn proper driving technique and the laws and responsibilities applicable to New York State. Successful completion of the 48-hour course (24 hours of lecture/24 hours of on-road driving instruction/observation) includes the five-hour NYS pre-licensing course required to schedule a road test. You could earn a senior license by age 17 and an approximate 10-15% premium insurance reduction.
You must have a permit or license before taking this course.
CHECK BACK FOR SPRING REGISTRATION
Please note: there is a cap for this class. Once the cap is filled, you will still be able to join the waitlist. All who are either registered or on the waitlist must attend orientation in order to attend class. If you were registered, you will be guaranteed one of the listed time slots presented when you signed up; those on the waitlist will have the option to register into the available remaining slots. This will be determined at the time of orientation. Each car needs 4 students, so if there are 8 students on the waitlist, there’s potential for two other in-car drive times. If, however, there are 6 on the waitlist, we could run 1 car and 2 students would need to wait until the following semester to take the class.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Those who register first get first choice of the in-car time, second registration gets second choice, and so on. If you have any medical or other issues that require accommodation, please reach out to the office directly.
Defensive Driving
We offer two options for taking the Defensive Driving course. There is an online, self-paced course offered in both English and Spanish, and in-person courses.
Register for the online class in English. You will be prompted to create an account, select the course, and pay using a credit or debit card. If you have already registered and need to login to access your account, visit the website here (English).
¡DCC se complace en ofrecer una nueva opción para tomar el curso de Manejo Defensivo en línea, en su tiempo libre! Esta clase se ofrece en inglés y español. Pulse aquí para registrarse. Se le pedirá que cree una cuenta, seleccione el curso y pague con una tarjeta de crédito o débito. Si ya se ha registrado y necesita iniciar una sesión para acceder a su cuenta, haga clic aquí.
REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON CLASS HERE
NYS "Five-Hour" Pre-Licensing Course
In order to obtain a driver's license in NYS, the DMV requires that all permit holders successfully complete a 5-hour program. Read all information before registering: This class is for permit holders only. Pre-registration is required. No registrations will be accepted 72 hours prior to the start of class. You must bring your NYS permit to class. Plan to arrive early to find the classroom and be seated prior to the class start. Once class starts, the door is closed and late arrivals will not be admitted regardless of circumstance (this is NYS law and is non-negotiable). There will be an additional $25 fee for a replacement certificate.
For registration questions, please email workforce@sunydutchess.edu or call (845) 431-8900.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
You will receive the MV-285 in the mail approximately 2-3 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.
It is valid for two years from the date of issue.
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.
We can issue a replacement copy; however, it may take anywhere from 2-8 weeks to issue the replacement and may incur a replacement charge.
A valid NYS leaner'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 had your permit for 6 months from the date your permit is issued to the date of your road test. However, if you are age 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 does NOT need to be signed by the driving school.
If schools are closed due weather or other unforeseen circumstances, there are no driver education classes or driving sessions held that day. Make-ups will take place some point during the session. For in-car sessions that are cancelled in case of cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will be contacted directly by your driving instructor.
If you need to miss an in-car driving session due to an emergency contact your driving instructor at the phone number given to you at the beginning of your first in-car 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 MISSED ABSENCES.
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 license you must have a MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate.
Before Taking Road Test
If you have not taken your road test yet, give your MV-285 Driver Education Completion
Certificate to the DMV examiner after your road test. The DMV will update your driver
record and will automatically issue a Class D photo driver license on your 17th birthday.
You will receive the new driver license in the mail within 2 weeks of your 17th birthday.
There is no fee when you change the class of your driver license by this method. Your
driver license record will show that you are a Class D driver. You do not need to
have your Class D document to drive as a senior license driver. You can drive on your
17th birthday.
After Taking 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 license and the MV-285 to a DMV office on your 17th birthday or any
following day. Complete a form MV-44, and pay the fee of $12.50. You will receive
a temporary Class D driver license, without photo, at the office. The DMV will then
mail your Class D photo driver license in approximately two weeks.
We do not offer refunds for this course.
Contact Us
Office of Workforce Development & Continuing Education
222/223 Bowne Hall
Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Phone: (845) 431-8900
Email: workforce@sunydutchess.edu
53 Pendell Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601