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HomeEducation CodeDiv. 4Pt. 28Ch. 5Art. 13§ 51851 Driver Education Requirements

§ 51851 Driver Education Requirements

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 51851 Driver Education Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •Driver's ed classes in school must last at least 2.5 semesters and be taught by a qualified teacher.
  • •Schools must offer driver's ed during normal school hours and the regular school year.
  • •If a student fails or can't take the class during the day, schools can offer extra classes.
  • •Students must finish the class in the same school year or summer session they started it.

Example

A high school student wants to take driver's ed but has a busy schedule.

The school must offer the class during normal school hours. If the student can't fit it in, the school can provide extra classes outside regular hours so the student can still learn to drive safely.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 51851 Driver Education Requirements

A course of instruction in automobile driver education shall meet all of the following: (a) Be of at least 21/2 semester periods and shall be taught by a qualified instructor. (b) Provide the opportunity for pupils to take driver education within the regular schoolday, and within the regular academic year, as defined in Section 37250. Additional classes may be offered at the discretion of the local school district governing board, the county superintendent of schools, California Youth Authority, and the State Department of Education, to accommodate the pupils who have failed or who cannot otherwise enroll in the regular schoolday program. For purposes of this section, the regular schoolday shall be that time during which classes are maintained in the courses of instruction provided for in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 51000), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 51200), Article 1 (commencing with Section 51500), Article 2 (commencing with Section 51510), Article 3 (commencing with Section 51520), and Article 4 (commencing with Section 51530) of Chapter 4, and Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section 51930) of this part, and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 58400) of Part 31. (c) Be completed by the pupil within the academic year or summer session in which it was begun. (Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 650, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

educationschoolofferportstudentacademicdriverfine

Related Statutes

  • § 51760.1 Career Technical Education Partnerships
  • § 8423 High School Afterschool Grants
  • § 41913 School Driver Training Contracts
  • § 48812 Long Beach College Partnership
  • § 51744 Educational Program Flexibility Options

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 51851.
View Official Source