IT’S TRUE! If you choose the wrong driver ed program – IT’LL COST YOU TIME AND MONEY WITH LITTLE OR NO RESULTS
Many parents looking for a driving school ask these questions-
- How long is the class?
- How much is the class?
- How easy is the program?
- Is it convenient?
HOWEVER, THESE ARE NOT THE RIGHT QUESTIONS TO ASK – Unless you don’t care about wasting your time and money.
THE RIGHT QUESTIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING-
- Will your teen pass their test?
- Does the instructor really care about your teen?
- Is the classroom information organized and easy to understand?
- Does the course include defensive driving instruction?
- Does the course include help for par
WHAT ARE THE RIGHT QUESTIONS A PARENT SHOULD ASK WHEN LOOKING FOR A DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM? VETERAN CRASH INVESTIGATOR AND DRIVER TRAINING EXPERT- MIKE PEHL SAYS
- When you’re shopping for a driving school in your area, ask your neighbors and ask your neighbor kids! If the kids say “It was boring,” that’s not a good sign.
- Find out whether a driver’s ed program has an orientation program. Parent Night presentations are very helpful for parents whose kids are about to learn to drive. Instructors who are really serious about training novice drivers – are instructors who know how important it is to get mom and dad “on board.” Your local branch of the National Safety Council may be sponsoring those events, too.
- Ask whether the curriculum includes any defensive driving information. “77% of all crashes are preventable if you know what to do,” according to veteran crash investigator Mike Pehl. “Knowing what to do and how to do it BEFORE you are in a crash situation is truly the difference between life and death.”
- Understand the difference between the classroom instruction & behind-the-wheel. The book learning that happens before getting a learner’s permit is important, but nobody ever becomes a good driver sitting behind a desk. Ask who really does the behind the wheel training, and how they are chosen. There should be a good answer!
- Ask what happens if your teenager isn’t ready to be an independent driverafter the standard number of behind the wheel sessions. There may be laws requiring driver’s ed teachers to sign your teenager’s paperwork after the minimum amount of practice … but a good teacher will speak honestly to a student’s parents about whether their teen is going to be a hazard on the road if they “luck out” and pass the road test. Someone who is truly committed to the safety of their students will do that. That’s the kind of teacher you want for your son or daughter.
- Finally, educate yourself. Being the parent of a student driver means you need to learn some new things now, too. As Julie Smith, a part-time behind-the-wheel instructor says: “Knowing how to drive is not enough when it comes to teaching someone else!” Many resources such as driver education videos like “Roadworthy: a Parent’s Guide to Teaching Teens to Drive” are available now for the parents of teenage drivers. They’re filled with good information that can make a difference for the safety of your teenager, their passengers, and all of us who share the roads.
Check out our Roadworthy DVD for more information.
