Driver Education

We believe that Driver Education is the most important course a student will ever take because it provides them with the foundation on which to build their knowledge and skills for safe driving for the rest of their lives.  As a result, our classes are small (limited to no more than 24 students), and focus on the basics of driving skills, safety, attitudes and behaviors. 

Our course consists of 20 or more hours of classroom instruction, 4 hours of driving range activities, and 5 hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction.  Passing the course results in the waiver of written and driving tests at the Nebraska DMV unless the student is 18 or above.  Persons 18 or older will receive a certificate but are required to test at the DMV. 

Registration Information:

  • Each student is required by the Nebraska DMV to have a valid permit in order to enroll in this course. Due to COVID-19 registrations will be accepted at this time without a permit number.  A permit will be required before any behind the wheel driving can take place. 
  • Registrations will be accepted in person, via fax, mail and online. No telephone registrations will be accepted. To register for the course, complete the registration form and return it to the Nebraska Safety Center with payment or you may register online, by visiting our website at:  unk.edu/dred.  
  • Registration deadline is 2 weeks prior to class start date.
  • All payments (except online), must be sent to the Nebraska Safety Center Office. We accept personal checks, cashier’s checks or money orders. Please make payment to “Nebraska Safety Center at UNK”.  The classroom instructor will NOT accept payment.
  • Payment plans require a $115 deposit at the time of registration. Monthly payments are expected and payment in full is required 2 weeks before class begins. Class results will not be reported to the DMV without full payment. Failure to make full payment may result in your account being sent to collections.
  • Classes require a minimum enrollment of 8 students and are limited to a maximum of 24 students. Enrollment will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Classes which do not meet the minimum enrollment are subject to cancellation.  Your payment will be refunded if class is canceled or if class is full when your registration is received. 
  • An email confirming enrollment will be sent upon receipt of registration followed by a detailed letter approximately 2 weeks before class. There is a parent/student meeting the first hour of the first class period. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the parent meeting has  been recorded and will be emailed to parents before class starts instead of the in-person meeting.
  • Students are provided 5 hours of behind-the-wheel driving time. Driving appointments are scheduled with the instructor for outside of classroom times. Students requiring more driving time will be charged $50 per hour. If a student schedules a time to drive and is not present for the lesson, that lesson will be rescheduled and the $50 rescheduling fee will apply.
  • If the Driver Education student is under 18 years of age at the time the course is completed, passing the course with his/her current permit results in a waiver of the written and drive tests at the Nebraska DMV Office.
  • If the student is 18 or older at the time the course is completed, passing the course will result in a Certificate of Completion but the student is required to take the written and drive tests at the DMV office.
  • This course conforms to the rules and regulations of the DMV and exceeds the criteria established for insurance discounts. Nebraska DMV regulations require that, “Students must attend all course presentations and pass all examinations”. Therefore, any missed portion(s) of  the course, for any reason, must be made up prior to the issuance of a waiver.  A $50 rescheduling fee will be assessed for every class, range time, or driving time missed.
  • If a student requires any accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact the Nebraska Safety Center prior to the beginning of the course. Special arrangements may be made to accommodate these needs.
  • Check Re-presentment Policy: In the event that your check is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds, we may re-present your check electronically. In the ordinary course of business, your check will not be provided to you with your bank statement, but a copy can be retrieved by contacting your financial institution.
  • Please contact the Driver’s Education Program at 308-865-8256 if you have further questions.