Driver's Education

Driver's Education for 9th and 10th Grade Students

Dear 9th Grade Parents and Students,

We hope this finds you well. Mount Carmel Academy has been fortunate to offer the Drivers Education program within the Physical Education curriculum. As part of freshman/sophomore enrollment in physical education at MCA; your daughter will fulfill the Louisiana State Requirement (Title 55 R.S., 32) under the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) which consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction needed to obtain their Learner's Permit. 

However, state changes are now in effect and will require a cooperative effort between students, parents, teachers, and the Office of Motor Vehicles.

The first of these mandates is to attend a parent meeting.

The attending parent must be the domiciliary parent or guardian of the minor student enrolled in the Physical Education/Driver’s Education class. Mount Carmel, along with Sudden Impact of Louisiana, will host this mandatory parent meeting in the fall and spring semesters. This year’s fall and spring meeting dates are to be determined. Sudden Impact will post their meetings on their Facebook page. All other information and amendments to the driver's ed program will be updated here.

The second is the Temporary Instructional Permit-T.I.P.

Act 295 of the 2019 Legislative Session will change the requirements for when a student must obtain a Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP). Beginning August 1, 2019, they will be required to obtain the TIP prior to the administration of the knowledge test, operation of a motor vehicle during on-road driving skills instruction, or an on-road driving skills test.

The state can begin issuing the TIP once your daughter is 14 and she  can begin the class once enrolled for the semester.  As of now you must make an appointment at the OMV to obtain a TIP or some title companies are now certified to also issue one.

 As a reminder for your visit to the OMV  or title company, the “Real ID” documentation is required:

  • Valid Parent Driver’s License
  • Proof of residency
  • Original or Certified copy of birth certificate issued by a state within the United States (primary)
  • MCA ID
  • Unexpired U.S. passport (primary)
  • Permanent Resident Card (primary)
  • Social Security Card (secondary)
  • Voter Registration Card (secondary)
  •  If your daughter has a late birthday as of (July 1, 2009) they will be placed in a sophomore-level driver's ed class the following year! Therefore she will have regular Physical Education for her freshman year.

Once your daughter has successfully completed the 30-hour classroom portion and the Knowledge test of the GLP, she must be 15 years of age to prepare for the “ 8 Hour behind the wheel portion”, the cost is $400. This is in effect for the Fall 2023-24 students.

If you elect to choose another provider for the “Behind-the-Wheel” portion of the state-mandated  GLP of Driver Education, MCA is not able to serve as a third-party testing site, which requires you to find another driving school to provide the Behind-the-Wheel course and the road skills test. If you have any questions or concerns, please email: mbean@mcacubs.org, ctilly@mcacubs.org

THIRD-PARTY TEST:

Upon completion of the required 180 days of “permitted” driving,  and your daughter is 16 years of age, they can schedule a third-party test with one of our instructors. The student must acquire the necessary paperwork from an instructor and get it signed and returned to the tester. Please bring a  copy of the permit, and the $40.00 fee made payable to Mount Carmel Academy.  THE FEE CHANGE GOES INTO EFFECT JUNE 1, 2023.

Drive Safe and God Bless you,
The  MCA Drivers Ed Department

Student Reminders

Permit at age 15:

Once you are finished the 30 hour class, you will fill out a card for MCA 8 hour instruction.

  • Your card will be placed in alphabetical order by birth date.
  • MCA has 6 drivers certified instructors.
  • You must get paperwork from that instructor prior to driving
  • The fee is 350.00 Made out to MCA
  • If you go elsewhere to driver your 8 hours, you can request your paperwork after the 30 hours classroom. Three days are needed to process this certificate.
  • As mandated by the State and Title 55, every minor student enrolled in a Driver’s Education class must provide written proof that a domiciliary parent and/or legal guardian has attended a mandatory Sudden Impact meeting BEFORE the student can take the 8-hour permit driving course.

Licensure at age 16: What to do for your Road Skills Test

  • Check your permit - you will need to have your permit for 180 days from the issue date and be 16 before applying for the Road Skills Test.
  • Please retrieve the road skills test forms from Mrs. Bean or Mrs. Tilly in the Duplantis Gym during both lunches or in the Driver's Ed office any day after school.
  • You must submit a copy of your permit, birth certificate and a copy of a custodial parent license.  All forms must be signed and turned.
  • After the above is complete, appointments are made to test during student’s lunch.
  • Fee is $30 (check made to MCA or cash)
  • At least 50 hours of permit driving / 15 night time hours and good driving skills.