Driver Education for students and the community
St. Mary’s High School offers a Driver Education Program open to students from St. Mary’s High School and other local high schools. The Driver Education Program is offered throughout the year during the Spring, Summer, and Fall by one of our alumnus, Christopher Hoffman. If you have any questions regarding the program or the information listed below, please call Chris directly at (716) 335-1741 or email him at [email protected].
The New York State Department of Education requires that each student complete 24 hours of classroom instruction and 24 hours of laboratory, in-car instruction. Due to recent changes by NYSED, all classroom and driving instruction must be in-person (no virtual options).
There will be 24 hours of classroom instruction at St. Mary's High School (room number to be determined). Additionally, each student will receive 24 hours of in-car instruction in groups of up to 4. There will be several time slots to choose from, and once a selection is made, individuals will be placed in groups during their allotted time. The cost is $949 per student, including both classroom and driving sessions.
Benefits of the Course:
- An enhanced learning experience with qualified instructors
- Satisfies New York State-mandated requirements for new drivers
- Substantial premium reduction from auto insurance companies
- Ability to drive past 9 PM upon turning 17 (as opposed to 18)
Spring 2026 (Session 2): April 13 - June 6
All classroom and driving sessions are in-person on campus at St. Mary's High School. The classroom and driving sessions will be from the week of April 13 - June 6; no driving sessions on May 25 (dates vary depending on selection for driving sessions).
- There will be one time for the Classroom Session:
Tuesdays and Thursdays (each week): 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
- The In-Car instruction will have options from Monday – Saturday (**please see registration link for full details**)
The driving sessions will start and end at St. Mary's High School around the front main entrance. Please see the registration for all the driving time options.
Register Here for the Spring 2026 Program Session 2 (April 13 - June 6)
June/July: June 15 - July 31
All classroom and driving sessions are in-person on campus at St. Mary's High School. The classroom sessions will be from July 6 - July 31. The driving sessions will be from June 15 - July 24 (dates vary depending on selection).
- There will be one time for the Classroom Session (**possibly two if enough students enroll**):
Monday - Thursday: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
- The In-Car instruction will have options from Monday – Saturday (**please see registration link for full details**)
The driving sessions will start and end at St. Mary's High School around the front main entrance. Please see the registration for all the driving time options.
Register Here for the June/July 2026 Program (June 15 - July 31)
July/August 2026: July 25 - August 31
All classroom and driving sessions are in-person on campus at St. Mary's High School. The classroom sessions will be from August 3 - August 28. The driving sessions will be from July 25 - August 31 (dates vary depending on selection).
- There will be one time for the Classroom Session (**possibly two if enough students enroll**):
Monday - Thursday: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
- The In-Car instruction will have options from Monday – Saturday (**please see registration link for full details**)
The driving sessions will start and end at St. Mary's High School around the front main entrance. Please see the registration for all the driving time options.
Register Here for the July/August 2026 Program (July 25 - August 31)
Fall 2026 (Session 1): September 14 - November 7
All classroom and driving sessions are in-person on campus at St. Mary's High School. The classroom and driving sessions will be from the week of September 14 - November 7 (dates vary depending on selection for driving sessions).
- There will be two time options for the Classroom Session:
Mondays and Wednesdays (each week): 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays (each week): 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
- The In-Car instruction will have options from Monday – Saturday (**please see registration link for full details**)
The driving sessions will start and end at St. Mary's High School around the front main entrance. Please see the registration for all the driving time options.
Register Here for the Fall 2026 Program Session 1 (September 14 - November 7)
Fall 2026 (Session 2): November 9 - January 22
All classroom and driving sessions are in-person on campus at St. Mary's High School. The classroom and driving sessions will be from the week of November 9 - January 22 (dates vary depending on selection for driving sessions). **No driving or classroom sessions on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and December 20 - January 3.**
- There will be two time options for the Classroom Session:
Mondays and Wednesdays (each week): 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays (each week): 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
- The In-Car instruction will have options from Monday – Saturday (**please see registration link for full details**)
The driving sessions will start and end at St. Mary's High School around the front main entrance. Please see the registration for all the driving time options.