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Virginia Association of Driver Education and Traffic Safety (VADETS)

VADETS is a Professional Driver Education Association with the mission to improve the quality of driver education and provide effective instruction to new drivers in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The VADETS membership is drawn from over 2,500 driver education professionals who teach in public, private, and driver training schools.

We hope you find the information and links useful in your quest to provide young drivers with the skills needed to drive a motor vehicle safely.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.  See below for specific topics and email addresses for assistance: 


Dick Tyson

George “Dick” Tyson Jr. leaves an enduring legacy in driver education and public service that spans more than half a century. After 54 years with Newport News Public Schools and long term VADETS Executive Director, Dick retired in 2014 as the longest-serving employee in the system’s history, having shaped generations of students as an educator, coach, and ultimately as Director of Athletics and Driver Education. While respected across the region for his leadership in athletics, driver education was truly his calling. Under his guidance, Newport News built a highly regarded driver education program, widely modeled for its quality, rigor, and unwavering focus on student safety. A familiar and trusted presence around Todd Stadium and VADETS, Dick combined expertise with humility, humor, and genuine care for young people.   


2026 Janet Ragland Memorial Scholarship

To honor the memory of Janet Ragland, VADETS is offering 20 scholarships of $1,000 for teachers to complete both driver education endorsement courses in 2026.

The application period for the Janet Ragland Scholarship has closed.  Applicants from 14 different school divisions were received.  Recipients will be notified by April 1st. 

    If you have questions regarding the scholarship, please contact:


    A. Vonnie Colvin, Ed.D.

    Coordinator for the Janet Ragland Scholarship

    vadets.scholarships@gmail.com

    *Provisional considered if detailed record of progress toward licensure is included in application.



    Registration for the 2026 VADETS In-Person Conference is open.  The conference will take place at JMU on July 12th.  

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    VADETS Workbooks

    The study guide/workbook provides the framework for the content in the Curriculum and is also designed to assist students in learning safety concepts.

    The Virginia Driver Education Curriculum has been updated to meet the 2022 Driver Education Standards. 


    Cost of Workbooks

    $200 per case which includes standard shipping and handling (*A request for expedited shipping will incur an additional cost to the district/school.)  

    Each case contains 50 study guide/workbooks.

    Workbooks will be shipped in multiples of 50 only - no pickup allowed

    Workbook Order Form

    VADETS W9

    For general information about workbooks email vadetsonline@gmail.com

    For questions about invoices or payments email vadetsfinance@gmail.com 

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    Courses 

    Learner's Permit Test Prep 

    For students who would like more practice for the  learner's permit test or who have failed the learner's permit test 3 times, click here for more information and to register for the course.

    VADETS Online Course

    VADETS is Virginia’s teacher association for the improvement of driver education & traffic safety. The VADETS online driver education course provides an alternative educational opportunity for public, private and home-schooled students. Click here for more information and to register for the course. 

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    Poster, Bumper Sticker, License Plate Contest

    The Virginia Association of Driver Education and Traffic Safety (VADETS) is sponsoring a poster, bumper sticker, and license plate contest. The contest will be judged at the VADETS State Conference in July. The theme is general traffic safety and students should select issues or topics they feel are important to driver education. Each school should conduct its own contest and teachers may submit the best three (3) entries in each category at the conference.

    All submissions for contests are due 5/15/2026 and should be uploaded to the Google folders at this link.  

    Questions may be submitted to VADETSinfo@gmail.com.

    Teachers can submit a picture of  posters, bumper stickers & license plates to this Google Folder (name file with student's name) and bring them to the conference  or mail them to:


    VADETS

    PO Box 1

    Powhatan, VA 23139








    TEACHER OF THE YEAR

    Congratulations to our 2025 Driver Education Teachers of the Year!

    In-Car TOY:

     

    Tim Fenn

    Classroom TOY: 

      

    Wanda Gilbert

    For information about Teacher of the Year and to nominate a teacher for next school year, please visit this link to download and email (vadetsinfo@gmail.com) or mail the completed form to:

    VADETS Teacher of the Year Committee 

    PO Box 1

    Powhatan, Va  23139



    TOY nominations are due 5/15/2026 and should be uploaded to the Google  folder at this link.

    2025 Teacher Excellence Award


    Please join us in congratulating our fellow board member and colleague, Amy Dignan, on being selected the 2025 Novice Teacher Excellence Award winner for SERADTSEA! She received the award and made a presentation at the SERADTSEA Conference in Williamsburg, VA.  Here are a few of her accomplishments:

    • 22 Years Teaching and Coaching in Prince William County Schools, Virginia
    • Patriot High School Health & Physical Education Co-Department Chair
    • Patriot High School Driver Education Coordinator 
    • Served on Driver Education Curriculum Committee for the VA Dept. of Education & Prince William County Schools
    • 2025 SERADTSEA Novice Teacher Excellence Award
    • 2024 VADETS In-car Teacher of the Year
    • 2023 VADETS Classroom Teacher of the Year
    Congratulations Amy!


    Buckle Up, Phone Down

    Did you know it is illegal in Virginia to hold a handheld communication device (phone) while operating a moving motor vehicle? Still, we see drivers doing it every day. At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving. Please don’t be one of them. Other distractions, like eating, applying makeup, adjusting the radio or air conditioning, can also be dangerous. Anything that draws your attention away from the task of driving is distracted driving and can cause a crash.

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    Driven To Protect Discovery Hub

    See the link below to see an overview about the Driven to Protect Discovery Hub: https://youtu.be/Hg9MLhkoBV8.

    This is a great way for educators to learn more about their online resources.  Download  social media content from Driven To Protect for Teen/Driver safety week.

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