Teen Drivers Ed
From LoveToKnow Teens
If you are old enough to get your driver’s license, then it is time to think about teen drivers ed. Drivers education regulations differ from state to state. Will you be required to take an approved drivers ed course before getting that coveted photo ID that gives you the privilege to climb behind the wheel? Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles to learn if drivers ed is mandatory in your state.
Who Must Take Drivers Ed?
Each state’s requirements differ regarding who must take teen drivers ed. Even within one state, the same rules don’t always apply for every teen based on age. For example, in Georgia, 16 year-olds must complete a state approved drivers education course before they obtain a Class D driver's license. Not only that, but they have to complete 40 hours of supervised driving, including 6 hours of night driving. After students pass the approved driver ed course, participants receive a certificate of completion, which must be presented when applying for a Class D license.
In the same state, 17 year-olds are not required to complete drivers education but must complete the supervised 40 hours, including 6 night hours of driving experience.
Teen Drivers Ed Benefits
What’s the reason most states require teen drivers ed? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 years olds are motor vehicle crashes. This accounts for 40 percent of all teen deaths. Teen drivers ed works to provide real experience while helping teens become familiar with the rules of the road.
Can teen drivers ed really change those statistics? Yes. “Researchers examined graduated drivers license (GDL) systems implemented in 1997 in Michigan and North Carolina, which were considered among the country's most comprehensive programs. Comparing 1999 with 1996 data, crashes involving 16-year-old drivers decreased by 25 percent in Michigan and 27 percent in North Carolina.” (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2001) Many other sources praise the GDL systems.
Practice and training makes a difference. Consider times when you’ve bought a new video game. The first time you play, you learn how to move characters, what abilities they have, and what you need to accomplish to win. When you’re stuck, you look up what to do. If you want to be a good player, you practice. Drivers ed provides knowledge of how to drive safely and opportunities to practice with supervision.
An additional benefit of completing a certified drivers ed course is that many insurers knock 5 percent to 15 percent off car insurance premiums. In fact, some insurance companies offer additional driver safety instructional booklets and videos. A few even offer an additional break on insurance costs if you use them so it’s worth asking them for more information.
Online Drivers Education Classes
In the past, commercial (licensed) schools provided driver education programs that met local teen driver ed requirements along with public schools, local colleges, and universities.
Today, online teen drivers ed courses cut out the hassle of getting to and from a class when you don’t have your license. Popularity of online drivers ed is on the rise and being accepted by more states. When choosing an online program, check with the state in which you live. Take time and shop around to find the certified program than works for you.
Consider the following tips when choosing a course:
- Be sure the specific class you select is accepted by your state before going through the time and money necessary to complete the course.
- Know what you’re getting with the online program. Find a course that provides a demo so that you can look at the program to see if it is for you. In some cases, sites allow students to take the class but withhold the certificate of completion until the student pays for the course.
- Choose a program with easy to understand materials including highlighted key points.
- Locate customer support or a phone number to be sure help is available if you have questions.
- When choosing an online drivers ed program, make sure to check for a time limit to complete the course. Set aside a specific time to work on the class—make it an appointment.
Avoid a Repeat of Drivers Ed
Even if you’ve taken and passed a certified drivers education course, if you get a ticket, Amended Senate Bill 1005 requires any persons younger than 25 years of age who commit a moving traffic violation to complete an approved driving safety course. They must also complete a driving skills road test, even if they previously completed a road test.
In Conclusion
Teens want a license so they can drive around with friends and get to work. But as a new driver, having other teens in the car presents a big risk. Fatal crashes involving teen drivers tend to include passengers. Unfortunately, statistics also show that teens wear seatbelts less often when driving with other teens. For those who pass drivers education, these statistics improve.
This page has been accessed 924 times. This page was last modified 20:15, 8 February 2007.
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