Teenagers…getting behind the wheel… driver’s education…learning to drive. These phrases are either exciting or terrifying (or probably somewhere in between) to parents and teens alike. The biggest thing our unscientific poll of teenagers agreed on is, the new drivers want the person teaching them to be confident/calm. If their teacher is anxious or nervous it made them more anxious and nervous than they already were. Driving is a big responsibility that experienced drivers often take for granted but it can be nerve-wracking, even overwhelming to new drivers (or parents of new drivers).
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Solution? You could have a trusted friend or family member step up or you could hire a licensed professional. A Driver’s Education course can be a great way to teach new drivers, younger or older, the many aspects of driving a vehicle (including an overview of street signs, overcoming fears, learning about the vehicle itself, the rules of the road, et cetera). Whether one is a new teen driver or older adult, learning a new complicated skill can often be a better experience with someone who’s been trained to train.
Some states require Driver’s Education before taking the written and/or road tests for new teen drivers, and the requirements can vary by age. If you do an internet search for “Requirements to get a driver’s license” and list your State, you can find out what your state requires. Whether required or not, working with a qualified driving instructor who’s trained all types of students and different skill levels can give a new driver confidence and some peace of mind since the courses should be designed to cover many scenarios.
For instance, in cities like Joliet, Illinois, teens under the age of 18 will need to be enrolled in an Illinois state-approved teen driver education course in order to apply for their first instruction permit (also known as a learner's permit). These teen driver ed courses typically consist of 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of in-car driving instruction.
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Which brings up another factor for preparing your young driver to go solo, actual drive time. Many states also require a certain number of hours behind the wheel to qualify for license testing. Let your child be the driver for the adults whenever you go places. Start simple and work up to more complex. They should drive with you in the car on the city streets, congested highways, parking lots, drive-throughs, in bad weather and so on. The more scenarios you as the parent can calmly share with them, the greater your confidence in them will be. They’ll be happier, too, knowing they’ve earned your confidence.
Regarding Driver’s Education and car insurance, some states and some companies do offer discounts for new drivers completing driver’s education courses within certain age ranges. Another point worth noting is car insurance companies vary greatly with how they handle premium for new drivers with a Learners Permit. Some do not charge any extra but must list the driver on the policy as Permit only. Some companies see Permit drivers as a high rated drivers. Policy holders are required to make their carriers aware of the driving status of all people and drivers in their household and keep their policies updated.
As a side note, if you’re an older driver and take the refresher course some states and some companies offer discounts for this as well. For an older driver, the classes are typically called Mature Driver courses.
It’s always a good idea to go with a car insurance agency that has options for you as your needs change. Not all carriers offer the best rates for all drivers so your agency, like Solo Insurance®, is able to shop the rates for your as your circumstances change.
Contact Solo Insurance® for more information about car insurance savings or to get a quote.
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