Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:58:24 +0000

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Drivers Education for Teens

Virtually every teenager will do it; take a drivers education course to obtain their learners permit and eventually an unrestricted drivers license. Most states have requirements that must be met for a teen to get their learners permit.

What is a learners permit?

A learners permit is a special permit issued by a State Department of Motor Vehicles (often referred to as DMV, but some states have varying titles) office for teenagers to begin "behind the wheel" drivers education training. For many states, the average age you can apply for a learners permit is 15. However, there are a few states where you can apply as early as 14 and as late as 16 years of age. Different states have different requirements. For example, there are a few states that have no formal requirements, where as most require initial written testing of driving basics. Six to eight hours of classroom (or approved home training course) is typically required.

Drivers Education Training

Once you've achieved your initial learners permit, you can expect to continue your classroom study, but can typically begin your "behind the wheel" training with an adult; usually a drivers education instructor or parent. During this time, most states require a certain number of hours of "behind the wheel" experience. You'll learn many of the basics, such as: stopping, watching for traffic around you, turning, identifying various traffic signs, how to parallel park and more. Don't take these for granted! Your initial drivers education training can set an important track for your driving record.

The trip to your local DMV

Once you've completed an approved drivers education course, you'll be issued a license. This varies from state to state. Some allow you to complete a drivers education course while 15, but must wait until you are 16 years of age to obtain a license. Still others impose conditions for a new driver, such as limited hours of driving, driving with an adult of a certain age, etc. Your local DMV office will let you know any special provisions.

Before you get your license, there are some things you should know about that will be necessary to receive your drivers license. DMV offices are very strict about documentation you must present to get your license. You should always check with them first and even get a checklist. Typical items you will need to bring to your local DMV office to obtain your drivers license:

Your original birth certificate, or a certified copy of your birth certificate with a state seal. Be prepared! Simply taking a photocopied certificate will not work for most states. You should be prepared for this very early on in your drivers education training. If need by, contact the state where you were born to obtain a certified copy if you do not have one, or your original certificate.

Social Security Card. Make sure you have your social security card. Most metropolitans have a local Social Security Office where you can quickly go and obtain an SSN card if you've lost your original. Again, make sure you have this early on.

Glasses or contacts. You will be required to take an eye exam when applying for your drivers license. Be sure to bring your glasses or wear your contacts to the DMV office.

Proof of completion of a state approved drivers education course. If you are taking a local classroom drivers education course, they should provide you with a certificate. You should always be sure they are certified by the state, if your state requires such certification. If you have taken a state approved home study course, such as a parent taught course issued by some states, or a third party software training course, they will provide you with a certificate of completion.

Proof of insurance. Check with your local DMV. Some states require this, some states may not. You should have the minimum insurance required for your state, usually liability insurance. Be prepared to present proof of insurance to the DMV clerk.

Proof of enrollment in High School. Many states require that you be enrolled in school and have proof of enrollment to obtain a drivers license under the age of 18. Your school will have the necessary form and can provide it for you to take to the DMV office. In cases where you may no longer be in school, and have opted for a GED, make sure you bring your GED certificate with you.

These are the typical things you will need to take to your local DMV office when applying for your drivers license. Of course, each state can vary and you can visit your State's DMV website for more specific information.

Drivers Education Software

More and more states are offering modern alternatives to the typical classroom drivers education courses. Some states offer a parent taught drivers education where students can study and test at home, as well as "behind the wheel" with a parent or legal guardian. Many states are now allowing students to take an approved CD ROM based or online course.

About the author: Wesley Smith is the Product Manager for the Drivers Education web site and helps teens with state driving requirements to obtain their learners permit and drivers license.

Unfortunately, a green light does not mean “Go”, it only means that ” it’s your turn”.  It does not mean that it is safe to go.  Yet, people still interpret the green light to mean “Go”.  Last week Michael Phelps, winner of 14 Olympic Gold Medals, had the green light and, as he proceeded through the intersection, he had a collision with a vehicle whose driver, according to police reports, did not obey a red light.  Michael Phelps was lucky.  If the other vehicle had been a semi-tractor trailer truck with a full load, he might have been seriously injured, his career over or he may not have survived at all.

Visually clear every intersection before you go through it.  This is one of the three most important things you can do to become and remain a collision-free driver.  And make sure that you do so by turning your head so that you can expand your peripheral vision.  I cannot overemphasize how important this is and neither can you when you are working with your son or daughter.

I still teach in the vehicle.  Granted, I limit the number of students I am willing to teach, but what I have noticed is how easy it is for the students to slip into a pattern of just moving their eyes slightly as they approach an intersection where they are not required to stop.  This occurs even after they had initially developed a pattern of turning their head to clear the intersection.  It’s as though as their confidence and skill in their ability grows, they feel they can get by without doing all those little things they had to do before.

Intersections are dangerous places.  I do not know Michael Phelps condition at the time of the collision (and from the news and police reports he did not seem to be impaired), but I do know that he did not visually clear that intersection before he entered it.  If he had correctly visually cleared the intersection, he would have avoided the collision.

Well, that about wraps up this post.  Next week I plan to discuss some new laws that go into effect September 1, and hopefully have a surprise feature for you.

Until then…Drive like your life depends on it…because it does.

Sincerely,
Patrick Barrett
Driver Ed in a Box