Driving is one of the most common forms of transportation in the United States. While many people choose to get their driver’s license at the age of 16, not everyone is interested or able to at that point.

No matter why you are looking into adult driving lessons and whether you are 18 or 48, these lessons were made for you. Here are some of the ways you can gain new independence with driving school for adults.

Finding Independence

If you have relied on public transportation for getting around, you must rely on set schedules. This can work well for many people, but if your schedule is changed or you miss your ride, it can really throw off the rest of your day.

Being able to get yourself around and on your own schedule is a great form of independence. Now you can be spontaneous with your schedule too.

Keep Your Independence

It is possible to do online driving courses when they fit into your schedule. Life is busy and not everyone can attend a class in person at a set time each week.

Taking online courses means you can fit a class in whenever you have a free block of time, any time of day. If you have internet access, you can do it from any location that suits your schedule too.

An Easier Path to Independence

For students 18 years of age or older, there are fewer requirements for getting a driver’s license. With graduating licensing laws in most states, there are restricted hours of day when teenage drivers are allowed on the road, more required practice hours, and more class time, depending on the state.

Since adults have more understanding and generally are more mature, they present less of a risk on the road.

Getting Independence Back

If you have let your driver’s license expire or had it suspended, taking driving school may be a requirement. Since you have known the freedom that comes with a driver’s license, there is more incentive for you to get it back.

A Better Independence

Adult driving lessons are not just for people who don’t have a license. There are different laws in each state for driving. If you move to a new state, taking a driving course to learn the laws or take a refresher is a great idea.

Other adults like to take a driving course to improve their driving. Taking driving lessons once you already know how to drive puts a lot of the information in context and is easier to understand than before you had driven a car.

Enroll in a Course

If you are ready to get your driver’s license, stop waiting around. With so many options for taking online courses and learning to drive, it is easier than ever to get your license as an adult.

This will help improve your driving skills and your confidence, no matter what age you are when taking driving lessons.

Contact us today to see how our certified teachers and course schedules can help you become more independent today.

Getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage for many teenagers around the country. It is a license to more than just driving a vehicle, it is a token of freedom and responsibility.

Not all teenagers are anxiously awaiting the day to get licensed though. Many put off drivers’ education courses or have no interest in driving.

While there are a lot of reasons why teenagers feel this way, here are four of the more common “whys” behind the lack of interest.

1. No extra time

Teenagers have a lot on their plates and managing it all can become overwhelming. Most are trying to plan for their futures and all their time is dedicated to pursuing those goals.

Keeping up with schoolwork is important to have good grades. Extra-curricular activities like clubs and sports are vital for social lives, health, and college applications. Jobs are another taxation on time because they pay the bills for social lives and fill up savings accounts for moving out.

2. No need for a license

Walking, biking, buses and other forms of public transportation are improving in big and mid-sized cities. If teenagers don’t have a parent or friend to get them around where they need to go, they can often rely on these other forms of transportation.

With so many other options for getting where they need to go, many teens just don’t feel the need to get a driver’s license.

3. Limited access

Not every family can afford to buy and insure another vehicle for their teen driver. This is something that might feel discouraging to a teen who doubts they will have access to a car for practice.

Even if a teen does have access to a car, they might feel like they won’t have money to pay the insurance or keep the tank filled themselves.

4. Fear

Whether it is the added responsibility of having a license or just the fact they could potentially get into a car crash, some teens just are scared to drive. If they never enroll in a class or have a license, they don’t have to confront their fear and find other ways to get around.

The Solutions

While not everyone will be ready to drive at the same time, there are ways to combat the reasons for not getting a driver’s license. Each person will or will not find the motivation to get a driver’s license when they have the time and have a need for it.

One thing that has really changed the driver’s education courses is having them online. The best part about this option is that with online driver’s education classes, they can work on them anywhere and whenever the student has time. This makes driving lessons more accessible for busy students.

For those who are afraid of driving, the one sure way to get over it is to do it. This doesn’t mean you jump straight into a car and drive across the country though. Start small and enroll in a teen driver’s education class. This will help build confidence and feel empowered. When driving, most states will require a responsible adult in the passenger seat to help educate and be a tutor for new drivers when needed.

For those who just don’t feel like they need a license or won’t have access to resources for driving, that will come with time. One day they may want to get licensed and that’s okay.

For anyone wanting to learn to drive later in life, there are driving classes for adults available. Most people who want to drive will end up learning at some point in their lives and it is never too late to learn.

So, if you or your teen aren’t ready to drive the day they can become licensed, don’t sweat it. Work on a timetable that works for your situation.

Driving anxiety is feeling hesitant to drive or when anxiety is always present when driving. This anxiety can be a fear or a full-blown phobia, but it is usually irrational. Avoiding driving can be difficult if you live in an area where there isn’t good public transportation. The good news is that driving anxiety is common and can be conquered. Here are some tips for helping yourself overcome adult driving anxiety.

1. Keep Driving

For many who experience anxiety while driving, it only gets worse the longer you avoid it. That is true for all fears, phobias, and anxieties. The best thing to do is start slow and go easy on yourself. Be patient and stick to close locations. Avoid the highway and drive in the daytime so you can ease into driving when feeling anxious. If you are experiencing driving anxiety because of an accident, the sooner you start driving afterward, the better you fare in the long run with keeping anxiety under control.

2. Bring Someone You Trust

A great way to combat the fear of driving is to have someone ride in the passenger seat who you trust. It can be a friend, family member, or a driving instructor. Having someone there to listen or help talk you through the anxiety can relieve a lot of the stress involved. Even if they just make some small talk, it can help get your mind off your fears and just focus on the driving.

3. Take a Driver’s Course

If you have never gotten your driver’s license and would like to as an adult, enroll in a course of driving lessons for adults. If you already have your license and are feeling a lot of anxiety, it can be helpful to re-enroll in a driver’s course to help refresh your skills and increase your confidence. These classes also give you an opportunity to practice with an instructor, which can bring some peace of mind.

4. Make the Car Peaceful

External factors like sounds and smells can contribute to increased stress while driving, especially if you are already feeling stressed. To help soothe yourself and create a peaceful environment, play soothing music while you drive and keep an air freshener in your car. Lavender is a common smell that relaxes, but you can pick any smell that helps you feel peaceful. Also, try to keep your car clean and organized for a clearer mind.

5. Manage Your Stress

One of the common underlying issues of driving with anxiety is feeling stress in other areas of your life. Try decreasing the other stressors in your life and incorporate general ways of dealing with stress by exercising, taking breaks, meditating, or whatever you find most helpful. During driving, it can be helpful to say positive affirmations out loud. Hearing these positive statements, such as “I can do this” and “I am a good driver” help boost confidence and fortify this state of mind.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Since there is no way to tell when anxiety will hit you, it is a great idea to keep multiple tactics up your sleeve to help deal with driving anxiety. That way, when it does start to set in, you are prepared and know that you can calm your thoughts. Keep driving and keep trying. Eventually you will learn how to cope and conquer the fear of driving.