The recently divorced teacher, super-passive Larry Pearl (Charlie Robinson), is on thin ice with the football fanatic principal, Principal Paulson (Ray Walston), who is being pressured by the district superintendent to raise driver's education completion rates or lose his coveted football program.

With this in mind, Principal Paulson and his assistant, with a secret desire for his job, Abner Frasier (Harvey Korman), hire an outside driver's education instructor with a very tough reputation, Edna Savage (Jackée Harry), a.k.a.

Finally you have stereotypical football meathead J.J. (Nathan Dyer), who needs to pass his English exam to keep his eligibility and constantly asks out and gets rejected by Alice (Tina Yothers), the tomboy whose father owns “Santini & Son” Concrete Company.

At the same time, Larry, who was initially a nervous and passive man due mainly to stress involving his ex-wife and their divorce proceedings, becomes more assertive and confident in himself, which Edna finds very attractive.

Ultimately, all the kids pass the course with flying colors, and Larry and Edna end up falling in love and entering into a romantic relationship.