Virginia 12-Hour Classroom

RADEP Course

The Virginia 12-Hour Reckless and Aggressive Driver Education Program, commonly called RADEP, is an instructor-led program designed for drivers who need additional education related to reckless, aggressive, or other serious driving behavior. The classroom RADEP program combines defensive-driving education with a separate behavioral component focused specifically on the choices, emotions, attitudes, and habits that can contribute to reckless or aggressive driving.

If your court order, attorney, or other legal documentation requires an in-person or classroom 12-hour RADEP program, this is the option you should review.

What Is the Virginia 12-Hour Classroom RADEP Course?

The complete classroom RADEP program consists of two separate instructional components totaling 12 hours:

Part 1 — 8-Hour Virginia Driver Improvement Course

Part 2 — 4-Hour Reckless and Aggressive Driver Education Course

Total — 12 Hours

The first component provides the defensive-driving foundation. The second component focuses more specifically on reckless and aggressive driving behavior, emotional control, risk recognition, personal responsibility, and safer decision-making.

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How the 12-Hour RADEP Program Works

Students complete the program in sequence.

First, the student successfully completes the 8-hour Driver Improvement portion.

After Part 1 is completed, the student attends the additional 4-hour reckless/aggressive driving component.

The two parts together satisfy the full 12-hour instructional structure of the classroom RADEP program.

Who Should Take the Classroom RADEP Course?

The classroom program may be appropriate if:

A Virginia court ordered you to complete RADEP

Your paperwork specifically requires a 12-hour reckless/aggressive driving program.

Your attorney advised you to complete RADEP before a court appearance.

Your instructions specifically require classroom or in-person attendance.

You prefer live instructor-led education rather than an online format.

Always review your court paperwork carefully before registering.

If your order specifically says classroom, in-person, or live instruction, do not assume that an online course will satisfy the requirement.

What You Will Learn:

Classroom RADEP goes beyond memorizing traffic laws.

Students examine the behaviors and decisions that can lead to unsafe driving, including:

• Reckless and aggressive driving
• Excessive speed
• Following too closely
• Road rage
• Anger and frustration
• Stress and impatience
• Risky decision-making
• Defensive-driving strategies
• Crash prevention
• Personal responsibility
• Recognizing unsafe habits
• Developing safer responses to difficult driving situations

The goal is to help students recognize how attitudes, emotions, and repeated habits can influence the choices they make behind the wheel.

Classroom Attendance Requirements

Students should expect to:

• Arrive EARLY
• Attend the entire scheduled session.
• Present valid photo identification
• Participate in required instruction and activities
• Follow instructor directions
• Complete all required portions of the program
• Missing any required portion of the class may delay completion

Complete Part 1 Before Part 2

The RADEP components must be completed in order.

Part 1 comes first.

Students must successfully complete the 8-hour Driver Improvement portion before attending the 4-hour reckless/aggressive driving portion.

If you have already completed an 8-hour Driver Improvement Clinic, review your court requirement carefully before registering. Depending on your circumstances, you may need only the supplemental four-hour component rather than the complete classroom program.

Hampton Roads RADEP Classroom Options:

RADEP classroom instruction is scheduled for students throughout Hampton Roads.

Depending on the current schedule, courses may serve students from:

Virginia Beach

Chesapeake

Portsmouth

Suffolk

Newport News

Norfolk

Hampton

Surrounding Hampton Roads communities

Always review the current schedule before making travel arrangements.

What to Bring to Class:

Bring:

• A valid driver's license or government-issued photo ID
• Your court paperwork, when applicable
• Any instructions provided by your attorney
• Proof of previous Driver Improvement completion when required
• Any additional documentation stated in your registration confirmation

Register for the 12-Hour Classroom RADEP Course:

If your requirement is for the complete in-person 12-hour RADEP program, visit our dedicated Virginia RADEP website for current classroom course information, scheduling, and registration.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ ):

Is classroom RADEP really 12 hours?

Yes. The full program combines an 8-hour Driver Improvement component with an additional 4-hour reckless/aggressive driving component.

Can I complete Part 2 first?

No. The 8-hour Part 1 component must be completed before Part 2.

Is RADEP the same as an ordinary 8-hour Driver Improvement course?

No. The 8-hour Driver Improvement course is only one component of the complete 12-hour RADEP program.

What if I already completed an 8-hour Driver Improvement course?

You may need only the additional four-hour RADEP component. Review your court instructions before registering.

Should I choose classroom RADEP if my order specifically requires in-person attendance?

Yes. Follow the specific format required by your court order.