Uncategorized – Page 2 – Traffic School Online

As a parent, you know that there are few things more important than ensuring that your teenage driver is properly prepared for the responsibility of getting behind the wheel of a car. Although the requirements vary by state, all drivers under the age of 18 must complete drivers education training before being granted a probationary drivers license. Of course, not all drivers education programs are created equal. So, how do you choose the best drivers education program for your new driver? Consider the following tips:

Look for a thorough curriculum

Your teenager’s safety is at stake, so you certainly don’t want a curriculum that neglects important topics. Unfortunately, many parents don’t know what should be covered in a drivers education class, so they’re unsure what to look for in a good program. Of course, you’ll want the class to cover the basics– like traffic laws and rules of the road– but you’ll also want to make sure they’re covering other pertinent information. For example, a thorough drivers education curriculum will cover defensive driving habits, appropriate ways to handle adverse driving conditions, accidents, emergencies, sharing the road with bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians, and driving under the influence.

Ask the right questions

When considering a program for your new driver, don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions. What types of questions should you ask? Here are just a few examples:

Will the course help my daughter develop good lifelong driving habits and skills?
Does the course teach drivers to recognize potential hazards on the road?
Will the course teach my son to appropriately manage his driving speed?
Does this online course use various methods of teaching its students (including reading material, audio, and video)?
How will this online course determine whether or not my daughter has mastered the necessary information?
What if my son needs assistance during the course? Will there be someone online available to help him?

Read reviews and ask for recommendations

Although drivers education is required for new drivers in at least 30 states, the course is no longer offered in many high schools throughout the country due to budget constraints. In response to the slow demise of school-based drivers education programs, online programs are now available for new drivers. When choosing an online program for your teenager, ask other parents and newly licensed drivers for recommendations. Additionally, you can often find reviews for online programs via a simple Google search.

Focus on quality

Remember: it’s the safety of your teenage driver at stake. With this in mind, be sure that you’re focusing on finding a quality drivers education program. Many programs focus on their affordability or stress that they’re easy and quick. While these factors might initially seem appealing, they don’t emphasize the quality of the education being provided to your teenage driver.

Be mindful of state requirements

Drivers education requirements vary by state. It’s important to research the requirements in your state and then ensure that the program you’ve selected uses a curriculum that aligns with your state’s requirements.

Ensure that the program is in good standing

Never enroll your teenage driver in a program– online or in-person– without first checking to make sure that the school or program is in good standing. Avoid any drivers education programs that have been subjected to disciplinary action for violating rules and licensing laws.

If you’re a resident of California or Nevada looking for thorough and convenient drivers ed classes for your teenage driver, contact us today. Our online program allows your driver-to-be to work from the comfort of home while providing a well-rounded drivers education. We understand that you want your new driver to be a safe driver; allow us to help you prepare her for the challenges of the road!

There are a variety of situations that might leave you wondering what to do when it comes to being around drunk people. We’re here to give you some advice on a few of the most common drunk driving situations you might come across. It’s important to know how to deal with a potential drunk driving situation to help everyone stay safe on the road.

My Friend Doesn’t Think He’s Drunk

You’re at a party and your friend has had a little too much to drink. He insists he’s fine and capable of driving home. He jumps into his car and is about to drive off.

We can’t stress this enough. Do whatever you can to make sure your friend doesn’t get behind the wheel. Try every angle to take his keys away. Use humor. Be serious. Confuse him. Distract him. Remind him that drunk driving not only puts his life in jeopardy but also the lives of everyone else on the road. In his hands, that key is a weapon. When you’re impaired, you’re incapable of making smart decisions.

Offer him a safe drive home yourself. If you don’t have a car, offer to drive his. If you are unable to drive, call a taxi.

Intoxicated people can become angry. If your friend is insistent on getting behind the wheel, call the police. Doing so might prevent a serious accident on the road. Remember, you are not calling the cops on your friend. You are calling the cops on a dangerous situation and encouraging driver safety. If he drives drunk, he might end up dead.

I think I Witnessed Drunk Driving

You’re out for your evening jog with your dog. It’s typically quiet in your neighborhood. The only noise you hear is your dog panting. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a car speeds toward you, driving erratically. He’s speeding up, slowing down, swerving, going through stop signs, and violating virtually every traffic law.

It appears that the driver is drunk. Unfortunately, you’re not 100% sure. Maybe it’s just a new driver who is still learning. Maybe it’s a new car owner just getting used to driving a manual transmission vehicle.

Either way, the right thing to do is to call the police and inform them of the odd behavior. If you were able to catch the license plate number, that helps. However, any description including the direction in which the car is traveling will be of assistance. The police will be able to determine why this driver is driving unsafely and stop them in their tracks.

Do Whatever It Takes

Making sure that we all stay safe on the road is everyone’s responsibility. If you witness an intoxicated driver attempting to drive a vehicle or already out on the road, you need to help stop them. Not only are they violating the law, but they’re also driving unsafely and endangering people’s lives.

Every year in this country, thousands of people die in alcohol-related driving accidents and hundreds of thousands are injured. If we can help bring that number down by stopping a drunk driver, everybody wins.

Are you a new driver or are you going to have a new driver in your family? If so, you may be wondering what the average cost of a new driver is. Consider the following things a new driver will have to pay for.

Permit and License Fees

Before you have even had a chance to get behind the wheel you will need to shell out some money. To get your permit you will need to pay a fee. The fee varies by state so check your local DMV for the cost. After you have become a confident driver and are ready for your driving test you will need to pay again to get your license. Again, check with your DMV to learn the cost for your state.

Vehicle

To be a driver you need something to drive. Many new teenage drivers have their eyes on their own set of wheels. Buying a car new tends to be a large investment and is often something a teenager cannot afford. Some families select to just share the vehicles the parents drive. Others search for an affordable used car. A few parents will buy their teenager a new set of wheels. As you’d expect, the cost of these three options varies from free to many thousand dollars so the route you choose will set your cost.

Repairs

Purchasing a used car is often done because it is cheaper. It is a good idea to have the car inspected by a trusted mechanic before buying it. Sometimes a used car ends up costing more due to unexpected repairs. In any case a new or used car will need repairs at some point. It is wise to have at least a few hundred dollars saved up in case you need new brakes or tires or if another issue pops up.

Insurance

Once you have obtained your driver’s license you will need to notify the insurance company. If you will be sharing the family vehicle the cost of insurance for the family will increase. This is because a new, inexperienced driver is more likely to have an accident than someone who has been driving for many years. If the new driver is a teenager the cost will be even higher. While the amount of insurance premium increase will vary depending on which state you live in, a Forbes article indicated that the average increase was 79%. The increase is higher for male drivers than female drivers.

If you buy a car for the new driver the insurance company will have to get notified and the car added to the family policy. Again, the insurance premiums will increase.

Inspection and Registration

If your new driver will be purchasing a used or new vehicle they will likely have to deal with inspection and registration. The specifics of these two items vary from state to state.

Seventeen states require cars to be inspected either every year or every other year. In some cases, the rules vary within a state so it depends on where the driver lives. For those locations where an inspection is required, there is a cost to have the mechanic conduct the inspection. Often this is not too pricey. Of course, if they find any issues that prevent the car from passing inspection the cost of repair to get the vehicle back on the road may be significant.

States require registration and the car owner must get license plates. Registration often has to be renewed every other year and requires the car owner to pay a fee.

Gas

A new driver will need to put gas in their vehicle. To estimate the cost of gas you will be using every month, you need to estimate how many miles you will be driving and the gas mileage your vehicle achieves. If you will be commuting a long distance to school or a job you may find you have to fill your tank more than once a week. This can result in hundreds of dollars in gas costs. Those who just travel locally will find the gas cost is not as significant.

While most parents look forward to their child being able to drive themselves to and from sports practice, they are often shocked at the costs associated with having a new driver in the family! It is good to understand the details so you can budget accordingly.

What Every New Driver Needs to Know

Suppose you’re a young driver about to enroll in an online driver’s ed course in California, excited about adding a driver’s license to your wallet and car keys to your keychain. In that case, this is probably one of the most amazing times in your life.

At OnlineDriversEd.com, a leading California online driving school, we know how exciting the prospect of freedom can be. So it’s a shame to spoil all that excitement with such a downer of an article.

While we’d love to pretend that getting your driver’s license and hitting the road for the first time will be a walk in the parkor a drive by the park since you’ll have your license we’re not going to do that. That first time out on the road with your license will be scary, even after you’ve taken a state-approved online driver education class.

As an online driver’s ed in California provider that takes safety ridiculously seriously, we feel it’s important to address a road safety issue that many new drivers enrolled in an online driving school class often overlook. The issue? Sharing the road with people other than operators of motor vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007 there were 698 bicyclist deaths on our nation’s roads. While the good news is that the most recent numbers show a 14% drop from 10 years prior, the bad news is that there were still 698 unnecessary deaths involving bicycles in this country.

Bicycle injuries, while not as serious as deaths, are no laughing matter, either. In 2007, there were 43,000 reported bicycle injuries.

So what do all these numbers mean? Is it unsafe for cyclists to be out on California roads? Are California drivers not paying attention to the people they share the road with? Are they forgetting everything they’ve learned in an online drivers ed class? Are bicyclists to blame?

While nobody can say for sure, understanding how bicyclists and drivers of motor vehicles share the road can help everyone stay safe. Here’s a quick look at some of the rules bicyclists in California must adhere to:

Under California law, bicyclists are legally allowed to ride on certain sections of freeways.
Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic. Riding against traffic is not permitted.
Bicyclists should not ride on the sidewalk. They must ride in a straight line as close as safely possible to the right curb or edge of the roadway.
When making a left or right turn, a bicyclist must use the appropriate turn lane.

If you thought bicyclists belonged on the sidewalk or weren’t aware of any of the other rules, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Thankfully, you’ll learn even more about how bicyclists must behave on the road when you sign up for an online drivers ed course.

Whether you share the road with a bicyclist, or whether you are a bicyclist, you need to know the rules of the road as it pertains to non-motor vehicles. OnlineDriversEd.com is pleased to help shed light on the matter.

For many years the answer to this question has been no. The rule has always been that you must be of legal driving age to drift. There is now an exception if you complete a Safe Driver Training course.

In California, on March 16th, Dominic Martinez, 14, who does not yet have a driver’s license, was allowed to legally drift at Sonoma Raceway. Generally, you need a license at any drifting location or raceway. This is to ensure that everyone at the track is capable of driving safely. Part of drifting is knowing the ins and outs of driving legally. You can’t know how to drift and race without first knowing how to drive within the confines of the law.

For drivers who want to experience the same thrills as Martinez, they will have to find the right place to drift. You won’t be able to just drift in your neighborhood, or on any streets for that matter as it’s completely illegal. But, many race tracks allow you to legally race, drift, and compete against others. So you will want to look locally in your yellow pages, or a quick Google search will help.

Drifting is Getting Bigger and More Diverse

Drifting has been a pastime since at least the 70s and is continually growing its community and media attention. With the thrill and exhilaration of pulling off skillful maneuvers, and driving faster than normal, sometimes with dream cars that the drivers themselves build and customize, it’s no surprise that teenagers, such as Dominic Martinez in the video, are now actively participating in drifting events.

Why Should I Drift at Events and on Race Tracks?

Not only is drifting at events and race tracks safer and more fun than illegally doing it on the streets but there is a sense of being a part of your local community. You can meet new people who are interested in the same thing you are. You can be part of a competitive scene if you’re interested in how you stack up against others. At every event and track, there are a variety of skill ranges, so you don’t have to be good or experienced to go. You can participate, learn how to drift, and even improve with advice from others. Newcomers are always welcome!

Get Your License

If you’re interested in drifting or racing legally, the first big step is to get your license. Once you have that, most race tracks will let you drift if you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle (but only in singles, if you’d like to drift with others, you will also need a roll cage). Any stock sports car out there is rear-wheel drive. If you do not have one, you are most likely driving a forward-wheel drive car, or, all-wheel drive (off-road vehicles). Then contact the track you want to go to and find out more about the events that are going on.

Have fun out there and remember to drift safely and legally. Sign up today with OnlineDriversEd.com to help get you started with getting your license and gaining the knowledge required to understand how to drive.

Driving is an exciting experience, especially if you are a new driver. However, along with the freedom that you feel from driving, there are also several things that you must do to be a responsible driver. Taking your time and concentrating on what you are doing is the most important thing you can do when behind the wheel.

However, there are also several other things that you can do to improve your driving skills. With these driving tips, you will quickly become more comfortable behind the wheel. Make sure that these are something that you are taking the time to master.

Form Good Habits

Plenty of drivers out there have bad driving habits. To stay out of this group, it is best to start your driving career by developing some good habits. Start by making sure that you are always safe in your vehicle. Use seatbelts and check your mirrors before you begin driving. Also, work at obeying the traffic laws and driving safely consistently.

Know your Traffic Signs

Taking your eye off the road is very dangerous. However, this is something that you must do if you are to read traffic signs. One way to make this a safer thing is to fully understand what the traffic signs in your area mean. This will help you to prepare for the road ahead and will cut down on the distraction of the signs. Instead of focusing on the sign, you will simply be able to glance at it in passing and discover what information it is sharing.

Don’t Forget about your Blind Spots

When you are preparing to change lanes or make a turn, always remember that your vehicle has blind spots. In these areas, other cars may be located. You should always make sure to watch these areas carefully before you begin changing lanes. You should also make sure that you never drive your car in another driver’s blind spot. Instead, slow down to remain behind them so that they can see you or proceed to pass them safely.

Get to Know Your Car

Every car is different and it is easy to be distracted from driving by attempting to learn more about your car. Instead of taking this risk, spend some time in your car before you hit the road. Study the buttons and switches on your car so that you know where all the important features are located. A couple of the most important features to look for are the headlights and the windshield wipers. Knowing where these items are can help keep you safe driving.

Take a Drivers Class

To fully understand the ways that you should drive, it is always recommended that you take a class from a driving school. In today’s world, this is something that you can either take in person or online. This makes taking these classes extremely convenient. Drivers will find a great deal of benefit from these classes and will be able to learn more about the best ways to drive a vehicle.

The most important thing that you can do when you are driving your vehicle is to take the time to be safe. Always obey the rules of the road and keep other drivers in mind while you are driving. You should avoid following vehicles too closely and should use caution when passing or changing lanes. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to becoming a safe driver who can truly enjoy the freedom that is presented by being able to drive a vehicle.

Taking a driver’s education course can be lots of fun, especially if you opt for an online driver’s education class that lets you learn the rules of the road from the comfort and convenience of your own home.

But once you complete the in-class educational component of driver’s education and learn everything you ever wanted to know about road safety, the next step to being comfortable with road safety and applying your driver’s education knowledge is obvious: Get behind the wheel to practice everything that was preached.

But where do you start? Is it safe to just get behind the wheel and drive?

That’s where parents come in. Once you have your learner’s permit, you’ll be eligible to get behind the wheel as long as someone with a driver’s license and years of experience is in the front seat with you. Here are some tips on some great places to start learning how to drive.

Start in an Empty Parking Lot

Empty parking lots can help simulate a real-world road environment while minimizing the dangers that come with actually being out on the road. One of the best places to start learning how to drive is in a school parking lot after hours. Wait until it is the weekend, later in the evening, or over a holiday, and the school parking lot will likely be empty. You can also typically find an empty parking lot by going to a closed shopping center.

The first time a driver’s education student gets behind the wheel could very well be with his or her parent. Having never been behind the wheel of a car before, the last thing you want is to be out in the middle of a busy intersection without being comfortable operating a motor vehicle.

A wide-open parking lot can help you get comfortable with steering, stepping on the gas, braking, and turning. Sure, you’ve heard how to properly make that left turn in a driver’s education class. But talking about it and doing it are two completely different things. You’ll be able to get a feel for how a vehicle responds to human control in a safer environment.

What’s more, with all those empty parking spaces, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to practice parking. Make a right turn into a spot. Make a left turn into a spot. Back into a spot. Do a three-point turn to turn around. The possibilities for applying your driver’s education knowledge are endless.

You can even turn that parking lot into a simulated main street. Set up pylons and simulate parked vehicles, pedestrians, curbs, stop signs, traffic lights, and other things that you’d experience out on the road. This will help you prepare for your in-car driver’s education class before you get out on the road in a real-world environment.

Move up to More Crowded Parking Lots

Once you are feeling comfortable with the basics of driving (steering, braking, turning, reversing, parking) move up to a larger, more crowded parking lot. You can go to a mall or a shopping center during business hours.

Take the skills you are learning and start using them around other drivers. Now, instead of parking in an empty lot, try parking next to an already parked car. Then reverse out with another row of cars behind you.

You can circle the parking lot and pretend they are actual streets. There are several areas in parking lots that act as small intersections. The important piece is to start feeling comfortable with other vehicles on the road.

Practice on Various Types of Road

Make sure that you practice driving on different types of roads such as asphalt, dirt, and gravel. The car will handle differently on different types of roads so it’s important to get a good feeling for each. You may notice the steering and accelerating will vary depending on the road.

Find back roads that aren’t as commonly traveled to practice your driving skills on these different road types.

Find Roads with Different Speed Limits

Drive on roads with varied speed limits so you can start to get used to how it feels to travel at 25 mph versus 35 mph, versus 40 mph. Once you have enough practice you’ll be able to get a good sense of your speed without even looking at the speedometer.

For now, just practice at one speed until you get comfortable with it, and then move to a faster speed until you get comfortable with it. Remember to move back to the slower speed afterward so you can get a good sense of how it feels at each speed.

Drive on Roads with Different Weather and Visibility Conditions

Practice driving in different weather and visibility conditions. Try driving in the rain and snow. The road is much different when there is rain or snow, especially if it is the first rain of the season. You should also make sure you can put on the proper snow equipment such as cables or chains.

You should also practice driving at night. Driving at night adds new challenges because of the decreased visibility and the need to be extra cautious of other drivers and pedestrians.

Once you are feeling comfortable with driving in the rain and driving at night you should combine the two. Though it is more difficult to drive at night in the rain it is an important skill to have and a situation you will likely come across often.

Practice Using Freeway On and Off Ramps

Once you have mastered the basics of driving on varying road types with varying speed limits and in different weather and visibility conditions you should move on to the freeway. Start by getting used to entering and exiting the freeway. Enter the freeway and then take the next exit, you can loop back around and do the reverse. Make sure you feel very comfortable with getting on and off the freeway and getting up to freeway speed.

Getting your driver’s license is still a rite of passage in many parts of the United States. A license represents independence, freedom, and a step toward adulthood. With the wheel in your hands, and the wind in your hair, nothing is stopping you. Before you get your driver’s license, you most often need to get a learner’s permit. While it might seem like a hassle, there are benefits that come with your permit.

What Are The Benefits of Getting a Permit?

A learner’s permit allows new drivers to legally get behind the wheel while under the supervision of an experienced driver. This lets newer (and usually younger) drivers get more experience on the road. This will make passing an actual driver’s test easier. Also, there’s a correlation between driving experience and the likelihood of getting in an accident. So, there’s a vested interest in ensuring new drivers get some seasoning before getting a license.

A learner’s permit gives drivers more time to acclimate to the rules of the road. It can allow younger drivers to clock many miles before shooting for their test.

It’s Often A Requirement

Getting a learner’s permit isn’t just a good idea; in many states, it’s the law. To get a driver’s license, someone first has to get a learner’s permit. Several states also have rules for how many hours someone has to drive and under what conditions. This forces future drivers to go through the “introductory level” of driving. This ensures new drivers are exposed to night driving, inclement weather, highway driving, etc.

In these states, it doesn’t matter how old someone is. Every driver has to go through the same routine and get the same time on the road, before taking a license exam.

How To Get A Learner’s Permit

For those who need to go through the permit process, getting a learner’s permit is easy. All you have to do is head down to your local BMV and take a written test. There’s no driving needed because that’s what you need the permit for in the first place.

The specific tests will vary depending on where you live, but it’s a good idea to pick up a learner’s manual. This will help you see what sorts of facts you’re expected to know.

For some states, you’ll need to take a driver’s education course first. Even if it isn’t needed for your state, a drivers education course can help you pass your permit test. You can take classes at your convenience right from home. That way you can get all the preparation you need to build a firm foundation.

Transitioning From A Permit To A License

A permit is a temporary thing, but it can be scary to take that leap. The more time you spend driving, though, the less frightening your license test will be. Also, the more road rule knowledge you have, the easier it will be to move from theory to practice.

Inevitable aspects of driving can be stressful, and aggressive driving behaviors like brake checking and tailgating only make things worse. Let’s break down what these actions are, why they’re dangerous, and how to handle them safely.

Brake Checking: A Recipe for Rear-End Collisions

Brake checking, also known as “brake testing,” happens when a driver deliberately slams on their brakes in front of another vehicle. This can have several motivations, ranging from retaliation for tailgating to road rage.

Why It’s Illegal and Dangerous

Brake checking is explicitly against the law in California. According to Vehicle Code Section 22109, you must signal before stopping or suddenly slowing down. Brake checking violates this rule and can lead to serious rear-end accidents.

What to Do if Someone Brake Checks You

Don’t Retaliate: The worst thing you can do is brake check back. It escalates the situation and increases the risk of a collision.
Increase Following Distance: Immediately create more space between your car and the one in front. This gives you more time to react.
Switch Lanes (If Possible): If it’s safe, move to another lane to put distance between you and the aggressive driver.
Report the Incident: If you can safely get the license plate number, report the brake checking to law enforcement.

Tailgating: The Three-Second Rule

Tailgating, or following too closely, is a widespread problem. It significantly reduces your reaction time if the car ahead stops suddenly.

The CA DMV’s Guidance

The California DMV recommends the “three-second rule” to maintain a safe following distance:

Choose a fixed object on the road ahead (a sign, tree, etc.).
When the vehicle ahead passes the object, start counting: “One-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.”
If you reach the object before you finish counting, you’re following too closely.

How to Handle a Tailgater

Don’t Brake Check: As tempting as it may be, brake checking only worsens the situation.
Maintain Your Speed: Don’t speed up to try to “lose” the tailgater.
Signal and Move Over: When it’s safe, change lanes to let the tailgater pass.
If Necessary, Slow Down Gradually: Reducing your speed can encourage the tailgater to go around you.

Sharing the Road Responsibly

Everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe. By avoiding aggressive behaviors like brake checking and tailgating, and responding to them in a calm and collected manner, we can all contribute to a less stressful driving environment.

Let’s be courteous, respectful, and focused on safety while behind the wheel.

Over the past two decades, all 50 states have implemented graduated driver licensing or “GDL” laws. These laws mandate special requirements for new drivers under the age of 18 and introduce driving privileges gradually by restricting driving during the first six months to one year of being licensed.

GDL systems are known to have reduced crash involvement of 16 and 17-year-old drivers, but some studies have suggested that strong GDL laws may increase fatal crash involvement of 18 and 19-year-old drivers. Concerns have emerged that teens may be waiting to obtain their first license until they are old enough to avoid the additional requirements, missing the opportunity to gain experience under the less risky conditions of the GDL system.

How many teens delay getting their driver’s licenses, and why do they wait? Could this be a serious safety problem? The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety surveyed over a thousand young adults between the ages of 18 and 20 to answer these questions.

Most Teens Wait to Drive

Getting a driver’s license has long been considered a major rite of passage for American teenagers. However, even before GDL laws were introduced, it was common for teens to wait to obtain their licenses. Studies from the 1980s and 1990s show that the majority of teens did not actually obtain their licenses immediately.

While data shortcomings make it difficult to compare the timing of teen licensing over past decades, the AAA study found that the majority of teens today do not get licensed right away either. Only 44% of teens surveyed had obtained a driver’s license within a year of the minimum age for licensing in their state, and only 54% had obtained one by their 18th birthday. 51% had obtained a learner permit within 12 months of the minimum permit age in their state, and 72% had obtained one before their 18th birthday.

The proportion of the entire driving-age population holding a license has declined, falling from 90% in 1992 to 86% in 2011 according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, but there is no evidence that this shift is a result of teens delaying getting their license.

Graduated Licensing Laws Not to Blame for Delay

When young people who did not obtain a license before they turned 18 were asked why they did not obtain their license sooner, the predominant reasons were related to opportunity, cost, and motivation:

44% did not have a car
39% could get around without driving
36% reported that the overall cost of driving was too high
35% “just didn’t get around to it”

In comparison, fewer respondents considered factors related to GDL laws to be important reasons:

23% indicated that special requirements made it hard to get licensed at a younger age
21% did not want a license with special restrictions that only applied to young drivers
19% wanted to avoid taking driver’s education

Furthermore, if teens were waiting to get licensed to avoid the GDL system, we could expect more of them to obtain their licenses soon after their 18th birthday. The AAA study found that this was not the case. Of 19 and 20-year-olds who had not obtained a license before they turned 18, fewer than 1 in 3 obtained it before they turned 19. Of those who didn’t even have a learner permit before turning 18, fewer than 1 in 5 obtained a license before they turned 19.

Safety Concerns

Even if teens aren’t trying to avoid the GDL system, many are missing out on its safety benefits.

Based on the licensing rates found in the AAA study, between one-third and one-half of all young people who eventually become licensed drivers will do so outside the GDL system.

The AAA survey also found significant differences in licensing rates related to income and race, suggesting that most minority and low-income young people are even less likely to experience the GDL system and receive its intended benefits.

Of respondents whose households had annual incomes of $60,000 or more:

60% were licensed within one year of their state’s minimum age
72% were licensed before age 18

Of respondents whose households had annual incomes of less than $20,000:

16% were licensed within one year of their state’s minimum age
25% were licensed before age 18

Only 32% of respondents who identified themselves as black or Hispanic were licensed before age 18, compared to 67% of non-Hispanic whites.

Strengthening GDL Systems

Further research is needed to investigate risk factors for older novice drivers and to evaluate the potential benefits of expanding GDL systems, but some states are already taking steps to fill in the gaps. Illinois has passed a law requiring new drivers ages 18 to 21 who did not take drivers education in high school to complete an adult drivers education course before obtaining a license. The law will go into effect next July.

Even among younger teens, there is still room for improvement within current GDL systems. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has estimated the potential reduction in crashes and fatal crashes that could be achieved by altering GDL provisions in each state. Recommended steps include raising the permit age to 16 and the licensing age to 17, along with increased practice hours, night driving restrictions, and passenger restrictions.

“It Takes Two” to Become a Safe Driver

Parental involvement is a crucial factor, but a study released by State Farm Insurance last month revealed that teens may not be adhering to driving restrictions as well as their parents think they are. Two-thirds of parents reported that they actively enforced night driving and passenger limitations, but only one-third of teens indicated the same. About 70% of parents thought that their teens almost always followed the rules, but less than half of teens reported doing so.

National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs from October 20-26, will address parent-teen cooperation with this year’s theme, “It Takes Two: Shared Expectations for Teens and Parents for Driving.” The TeenDriverSource website, created by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, provides information and tips for both parents and guardians and teens to help teens become safe and skilled drivers.

◉ Choosing the Right Drivers Education Class For Your Teenage Driver