Veteran Owned Business with over 50 years of instructional experience
"Your one stop source for all things Driver's education"
Click the play icon for info regarding class sign ups!
Caldwell County Upcoming Classes
2024-2025
Sign Ups Are NOW Available!
Please submit the form ONCE! Students may register for the first available class at their school, once submissions have reached capacity the next upcoming class will be open for online registration
When will your Caldwell County student take the 6 hour behind the wheel portion? Typically, 60-90 days after their final date of classroom portion of driver's education. This varies depending on class size and ages of the students. Please make sure you provide the correct phone number. Driving schedules are set by the individual driving instructor. Please be patient once completing the written portion of the course, as only three students can be driven per session.
FK Chestnut Driving Academy, LLC
3305 16th Avenue Suite 201
Conover NC 28613
If Caldwell County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, driver's education classes and driving lessons will also be canceled on that date. Thank you.
When contacting us by email, please provide a reliable contact phone number.
Meet the Owners
Veteran Owned Business
Fentress & Patricia Chestnut have a combined 60 years of driver's education experience across NC. They have an internationally diverse clientele, teaching students from ages 14 to 74 years old.
Fentress Leon Chestnut is a certified instructor trainer in NC, having trained and managed instructors for over 20 years. Fentress is a Regional Coordinator for Driver's Education Professional Development & Continuing Education. He is a member of the North Carolina Driver Education Advisory Board, he's taught every facet of driver education at the high school and college levels. Fentress is well versed in Defensive Driving Instruction needed for point reduction, both DDC 4 and 8 hr. courses, as well as the hands-on courses required by some insurance companies. He has taught thousands of teen and adult students in the classroom and behind the wheel.
​
Patricia "Kim" Chestnut has taught over 2100 students in the classroom and over 2300 students behind the wheel. Patricia served in the US Army for several years. She was stationed in Germany, Ft Ben Harrison Indiana, Ft. Gordon Georgia, and Ft. Bragg NC. Prior to teaching driver's education, Patricia and Fentress drove trucks across the Country. They both hold Commercial driver's licenses with endorsements in all areas.
​
Fentress and Patricia are the parents of 7 children, 18 grand children, and 2 great-grand children. Outside of driver's education, they have a passion for riding motorcycles and traveling the U.S. The Chestnuts currently reside in Lenoir NC, and they have been married for 36 years.