Teen Driving School: Beyond the Basics 

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At 911 Driving School, we offer a variety of driver’s education programs for teens, covering a wide range of important topics, principles, and skills. This could include the foundations of safe driving, signals, signs, and markings, the rules of the road, and even starting and stopping properly.

These are, of course, the basics of defensive driving – the things you need to pass your written and road tests. Your teens can get this kind of information from a variety of sources (although, it must be said, most of them won’t be as good as teachers who have spent time in law enforcement), but we go further than that to ensure our graduates are ready to face everything the open road might throw at them.

Throughout our courses, teen drivers will learn how to:

Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving is directly responsible for more collisions than most people realize. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, some of the most common things that distract drivers include:

Both adults and teens are susceptible to any or all of these types of distractions, and even though they may seem like small things, any of them could lead to a collision.

Teens may be more at risk for distracted driving, though, simply because they don’t have as much experience behind the wheel. Our instructors instill the importance of staying focused when they’re on the road.

Handle Other Drivers

There are a lot of other drivers out there who seem determined to ruin your day. We teach our students to deal with the traffic that surrounds them by staying calm and always making the best decisions.

Our teen driving school teaches new drivers to understand how things like bad weather creates tense situations and brings out the worst in others. We show them how to read the flow of traffic and make adjustments as necessary. We also make it clear that it’s more important to drive defensively than try to engage with other drivers in an aggressive way.

Build Confidence

We want every driver to be confident with their new skillset. The basics we teach give new drivers the experience and knowledge they need to function properly out on the road. The confidence our instructors give their students, though, helps them make decisions quickly – even when they’re under significant stress.

Confidence is a crucial part of defensive driving. If you’re holding your breath or clenching up anytime something unexpected happens, you’re probably going to add to the problem at hand.

Instead, we want our teen drivers to know the right thing to do and why it’s the right thing to do. This way, there’s no question about it. They’ll just do it.

Calm the Road Rage

Knee-jerk reactions on the road never lead to anything good. Unfortunately, one way or another, all of us are going to get mad at someone else while we’re driving. For teens, this can be especially difficult to handle because, again, they simply haven’t had as much experience dealing with anger-inducing situations.

We teach our drivers to keep the rage in check by:

Deal with Extreme Weather Conditions

Anyone can master basic driving skills when the weather is on your side. When the snow, rain, fog, and wind start ganging up on you, however, things can get a little more stressful.

We focus on teaching your teens how to drive in all these different road conditions so they can consistently make the best decisions when the weather turns against them. Is it time to pull over and wait it out? Should they slow down a little more, or are they creating more problems by going too slow?

We’ll make sure your teen can make these decisions when faced with a challenge.

Get Started Today

There are a lot of things you can do as a parent to help your teens develop good driving skills. If your teen is ready to drive, our instructors are ready to go beyond the basics and give them the experience and knowledge they need to be safe behind the wheel.

Tips for Teens and Driving with Friends

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If there are two things that teenagers love, it is being with friends and being independent. When teenagers first start driving, most laws have restrictions on friends in the vehicle. The topic has been well researched and shows that teens are already more distracted and act more recklessly when friends are in the car. 

While some people may believe that this means teenagers should never drive with friends, there is a better way. Helping a teen transition to driving independently is a risky time, but it is vital to help them manage passengers. There are expectations and rules that parents can make that will help their teen learn to drive safely, even with friends in the car. Here are some ideas parents can implement in their family.

  1. Set a time limit. Once teens are allowed to drive with friends in the vehicle, parents can help their teen ease into the change by setting limits on the amount of time friends are allowed in the car. Saying that a teen can drive for an hour a day with friends or five hours a week helps the teens make plans that are within those limits. It also keeps them somewhat close to home for better practice and more familiar surroundings. 
  2. Limit the number of friends. Research shows that the more friends in the car, the more distracted a teen is behind the wheel. In fact, having a friend in the car doubles a teen’s chance of crashing, but if there are two or more passengers in the car, the teen driver is five times as likely to crash. Ease them into the freedom of driving with friends by limiting the number of friends allowed in the car. With just one friend to start, then two, the teen learns to adjust to staying focused on the road.
  3. Set specific driving hours. When your teen is going out with friends, set clear rules on what hours they are allowed to drive during. There are several things to consider with setting this rule. First, driving in the dark means there is less visibility and more focus on the road is required. Second, the more tired a person is, the slower their reaction time becomes. A great way to help keep your teen and their friends safe is to only allow friends until a reasonable hour. Parents can even set it early and then move it later as their teen driver show responsibility.

Letting your kids take the wheel without a licensed driver in the passenger seat is a scary step. It is difficult to know if they will remember everything from their defensive driving classes. By limiting peers in the car, teens are safer. Setting boundaries around driving with friends in the car helps set expectations and ease them into driving responsibly.

5 Simple Ways to Make Safe Driving More Fun

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It is really easy to associate the word “safe” with the word “boring.” It’s just human nature. If we’re being “safe” then we’re obviously missing out on a chance to have more “fun.”

Before we go any further, let’s be clear about this one thing: “Driving is FUN!”

The best part is that it is still fun even when you’re taking all the necessary precautions to stay SAFE.

That’s right: you don’t have to drive at super speeds to have fun driving. You don’t have to weave through traffic and drift to a stop in your parking spot to make it fun.

We do, of course, understand that many of you won’t believe that defensive driving at the speed limit with both hands on the steering wheel is a total party. That’s understandable, too.

So, let’s take a look at some simple ways to make driving – even safe driving – more fun.

Why It’s Important to Make It Fun

We can compare “safe and boring” to “unsafe and exciting” all day, but that’s not the most important thing, here.

Many new drivers deal with a lot of anxiety when they get behind the wheel. They’re so worried about doing everything just right and avoiding potential dangers that they end up driving in a way that actually puts them in more danger.

If you’re having fun while you drive, chances are you’re feeling confident behind the wheel. And when you’re feeling confident, you’re in a better mindset for making better decisions and reacting appropriately.

How to Make It Fun

What is it about driving that makes it so fun? Is it the freedom of the open road? Probably. Is it the feeling of being in control of a powerful vehicle? That’s a part of it, too. Is it the chance to sing along with your favorite songs at the top of your voice with no one around to provide criticism? Well, your mileage may vary on that one.

The point is, there are a lot of things that make driving fun, so let’s consider a few things you can do to build on those elements to reduce anxiety and help new drivers look forward to their time behind the wheel.

  1. Improve the vehicle’s performance. We’re not suggesting that you must have a “performance vehicle” to have any fun on the road. We are, however, suggesting that a vehicle that makes strange noises and doesn’t respond like it should can add to the stress of a situation rather than make it fun. Get your vehicle in for some servicing to ensure it performs like it’s supposed to.
  2. Make comfort a priority. This is especially true if you’re heading out on a long drive. So, clean out the car every now and then, add some cushions if needed, and make sure the AC/heater is working well. You can’t have fun in a vehicle that smells bad and makes you sweat all the time.
  3. Choose your entertainment carefully. If you enjoy podcasts of a political nature – and yelling at those podcasters because they’re obviously out of their minds – then maybe you should just listen to some music instead. If you’re mind is focused on arguing with people who aren’t there – well, it may be fun, but it certainly isn’t safe. Sing along with the music if you like. Really give those vocal cords a stretching, but always keep your mind on the road.
  4. Don’t let it become a chore. For many of us, driving stops being fun when we move on from those early days of excitement and freedom to the later days of driving family members or friends from one place to another. If it starts to feel like a chore, it may be time to reward yourself for completing those chores. This way, you’ll have something to look forward to, even if it is just a quick drive to take your little sister to school.
  5. Don’t let the “fun vampires” get to you. Nothing ruins a nice drive like getting cut off on the highway, or getting stuck behind a driver who insists on going 5 mph under the speed limit. Find new and interesting ways to avoid an aggressive response on the road. A backhanded compliment instead of a raging tirade could help. Maybe take the higher road (pun intended) and ignore them all together. Vampire rules state that they can’t come inside unless you invite them in, so it really is up to you to determine if those other drivers ruin your fun or not.

Find Fun in the Journey

Many have said that it’s not about the destination, but the journey.

Granted, when they say that, they’re usually being metaphorical in some way. We, however, believe that the literal interpretation applies.

The fun of driving is in the journey. It doesn’t matter where you’re going, you can enjoy everything about getting from point A to point B. Whether you’re finding simple pleasure in exploring a new location or loving the freedom of going where you want, when you want, driving is fun. 

It’s up to you to make sure it’s also safe.

Supporting and Encouraging Your Teen Driver

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Your teen is about to embark on an exciting new adventure – that of being a legal and licensed driver.

Many new drivers look at this opportunity and imagine the freedom and independence that comes with it. Others, though, feel a lot of anxiety at the prospect. They aren’t sure if they have the skills or confidence to get behind the wheel and navigate congested roads and deal with aggressive drivers.

We want your teens to feel confident every time they get behind the wheel, and you can help make that happen.

This is an important time for your teen, and while our instructors know how to create an engaging classroom environment and provide a structured curriculum that includes all the knowledge and skills a fledgling driver needs, real learning doesn’t end there.

The simple fact is that you, as the parent or guardian of the soon-to-be-driver, can have a huge impact on how they develop their skills and knowledge. 

With your support and encouragement throughout their driving lessons, your teens can acquire the skills they need for a lifetime of safe driving.

Let’s take a look at a few simple things you can do to help your teen through their driver’s education and their first years as a licensed driver.

Set the Rules

The rules for driving a car have to be very strict, and they have to apply to everyone who is in the vehicle. That means that if they drive with friends, they should all be aware of the rules and agree to keep them.

The exact rules you set will be up to you, but we would recommend something like:

These rules will help you set and reinforce expectations (more on this later).

Make Driving Fun

Many new teen drivers feel anxious behind the wheel and start overthinking every action – slowing their reactions and actually upping the risks. If they’re enjoying the experience, though, they can feel more confident out on the road.

There are some simple things you can do to make driving more fun without relaxing your safety standards. You can start by making sure the car is in great shape, that it’s comfortable to be in, and that they can enjoy their favorite music.

It’s also important to avoid making driving a chore. You may be happy to have a new driver in the house – one who can help shuttle people to school and back or run a quick errand down to the grocery store – but if you overdo it, they may start to feel like driving is a tedious task they have to do for someone else. 

Don’t ruin the fun.

Find Opportunities for Positive Reinforcement 

If your teen is able to show that they are taking the rules seriously and proving to be a safe and responsible driver, you can provide some positive reinforcement by easing up on some of your rules and restrictions.

Or just by letting them drive more often.

This is the time when teens will develop the skills that will carry them throughout their lives. It’s important to build positive associations with positive driving.

Set Your Expectations and Make Them Clear

Statistically speaking, the risks for teens getting into a fatal speeding-related crash increases exponentially for every other teen in the car. 

If you have made it clear to them how they are expected to behave when they’re behind the wheel – whether they’re alone or with a passenger – you can help significantly reduce this risk.

It’s all about setting those expectations, making it clear that they will lose privileges if they don’t live up to them. Of course, you should also reward them when these expectations are met. 

Making Confident and Safe Drivers

Real confidence is critical for safe driving. Through your support and encouragement, along with our structured curriculum, we can produce a generation of drivers who always put safety first.

You can help your teens feel confident behind the wheel so they make good decisions, ignore peer pressure, and keep their eyes on the road. 

Soon, your teen is going to be driving places without you. But in a way, your influence will always be with them.

The Driver’s License: Then and Now

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The iconic driver’s license has been a symbol of freedom ever since it was first created in 1899. Here is a quick look at the timeline of the driver’s license.

1899: The driver’s license begins in Troy, New York. With a letter signed by the mayor, the driver of a horseless carriage can go up to 6 miles per hour on city streets. In Chicago, they also require a certification to operate a steamer.

1900: Anne Rainsford French Bush becomes the first licensed woman driver. Her license allows her to drive a “four-wheeled vehicle powdered by steam or gas”. She was a good driver too, with Life Magazine reporting 52 years later that she never even got a dent.

1903: New York begins requiring an operator’s certificate for motor vehicles, which also require registration. This required licensing cost drivers $1 and must always be carried while driving. Massachusetts and Missouri also begin to require licenses.

1909: Pennsylvania becomes the first state to put an age restriction on licensing, making it an absolute minimum of 18 years old.

1913: New Jersey starts requiring drivers to pass a written exam before they can get a driver’s license. It consisted of “seven or eight general questions”. They also add a road test for licensing. The motor vehicle commissioner in New Jersey, Job H. Lippincott said “I confidently believe that other states will follow New Jersey’s lead, and that the results will be fewer accidents and better road conditions”.

1919: Michigan joins the licensing process and issues linen-backed paper permits. They are renewable every year until 1931, when the renewing period grows to three years.

1921: Connecticut drops the age requirement to age 16 for obtaining a license, also implementing an early version of graduated licensing laws like many states have today.

1924: New York State begins requiring all drivers to be licensed, regardless of type of vehicle or how often they drive. 

1925: The learner’s permit is introduced in New York State. It was a 3-month permit requiring the holder to have driving guidance from a licensed driver.

1930s: The standardized driver’s education courses are developed.

1935: Texas issues free licenses that expire after two years. Each license comes with perforated sections that a patrol officer can remove for each driving violation.

1954: South Dakota becomes the last state in the country to require driver’s licenses.

1958: California driver’s licenses start putting photographs on the licenses.

1959: A written exam is implemented in licensing in South Dakota after 240 people die on the roads. 14-year-olds are allowed to get a license in South Dakota, but the field for sobriety tests also start.

1972: Photographs on California licenses become colored photos.

1983: One-third of all licensed drivers in the United States are younger than 30 years old.

1995: Florida introduces graduated licensing for teen drivers that eventually spread in some version to all states.

Modern Day Drivers Licenses and Beyond

The driving age depends on the state, but the youngest is 14 (in multiple states) and the oldest is 17 (New Jersey).

95% of people in their 60s have a driver’s license.

Driver’s licenses become a standard form of identification.

Driver’s education courses for operating a car and learning the laws are implemented. Teen drivers ed courses are the most common, but many also get licensed as an adult for the first time.

It will be interesting to see how driver’s licenses look in the future and how they change. Will they become digital? Or maybe everything will be done with facial recognition software instead of carrying anything around? How will driverless cars change the licensing process?

Only time will tell, but for now, they stay the constant symbol of freedom.

The 4 P’s for Dealing with Heavy Holiday Traffic

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Updated December 23rd, 2021.
Originally published November 28th, 2018

The holidays are a magical time of year with the lights, sights, and feelings in the air. One thing that isn’t so fun about the holidays is the extra traffic on all the roads. It is frustrating to try and get anywhere.

If you find yourself in some extra heavy traffic this year, keep in mind these holiday driving tips, or the four P’s; plan extra time, practice good driving habits, proactive driving, and patience.

Plan extra time.

Driving in heavy traffic is most common during weekend evenings, dinner time, rush hours, and around special events, it is important that you allow some extra time for driving. Leave early to reach your celebration on time and don’t rely on estimated GPS travel time.

Car crashes, construction, and more drivers on the road at once add up to common holiday driving hazards.

If you want to make sure you reach your holiday work party, family function, or any other get-together on time, give yourself some extra time to get there. This will help you feel happier and less stressed behind the wheel, which decreases risky maneuvers in traffic and road rage during your travels.

Practice good driving habits.

Following proper driving etiquette is more than just good advice, it’s the law. Driving in heavy traffic requires following procedures and using good driving techniques.

Make sure that you signal before turning, switching lanes, or waiting for a parking spot.

Don’t follow the car in front of you too closely and give them plenty of room to drive.

Watch how fast you are traveling. Drivers tend to drive too fast when they have been feeling stuck to make up time.

Another common holiday driving hazard is bad weather, which can be especially dangerous.

Proactive driving.

While no one can read minds, you can anticipate the actions of other drivers. One of the best holiday driving tips is to watch for hazards, like attempting to switch lanes, not watching the light change at an intersection, or staying vigilant for a driver suddenly pulling into traffic.

If you are watching other drivers, chances are good that you are giving the road your attention and not paying attention to a cell phone.

Patience is a virtue.

While the holidays are full of fun and giving, there is also a lot of stress. People are out buying gifts, everyone out rushing around to the different sales, and others are trying to travel for the holidays to see their family and friends. It isn’t easy to get everything done and can leave you feeling tired and impatient on the roads.

Remember to slow down, bring things to keep kids busy in the back seat, and find ways to make your time in the car more enjoyable, like audiobooks, podcasts, or listening to a new Christmas album. Keeping yourself calm and trying to be more patient can lead to a more enjoyable experience on the road, even while driving in heavy traffic during the holidays.

Improving Your Skills.

These four holiday driving tips are a great starting point to driving safer during the holidays. Following these and the other defensive driving skills you learned in driving school can help keep you safe any time of year.

For more winter driving tips, enroll in a driving school near you. Our instructors successfully teach drivers how to be great defensive drivers. They can help guide you to make better choices behind the wheel and have a more enjoyable holiday this year.

 

How to Avoid Common Traffic Violations in Washington

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Traffic tickets can be a reminder to follow the rules of the road, but in Washington, traffic violations can also be expensive. Traffic laws are designed to keep everyone safe, so imposing fees and penalties for violating the rules make sense. Find out more about the most common traffic violations in Washington and how to avoid them.

Learn the Right Way

Understanding the most common traffic tickets can help you drive more safely and avoid the fines and penalties that come with a violation. Another way to prevent traffic violations is to enroll in driving school. If you are a parent, you may want to consider a teen driver’s education program for your child. Learning more about laws and how to drive a vehicle properly can help you stay safe and avoid tickets.

Moving Vs. Nonmoving Violations

Traffic violations are defined as moving or nonmoving. Generally, a moving violation is more dangerous and will incur a larger fine and more severe consequences. Moving violations may stay on your record longer and typically cause your insurance to go up. Repeat offenders with numerous moving violations may end up losing their license.

Driving Too Fast

Speeding is the most common traffic ticket in Washington. Driving too fast is dangerous, but it is also a moving violation. The fee that comes with a guilty decision is based on the speed limit and just how much over that limit you were driving, but a speeding ticket in Washington is usually between $100 and $400.

Illegally Driving in the Carpool Lane

Carpool or HOV lanes were introduced to encourage people to drive together and reduce the number of cars on the road. Fewer cars work out to less traffic and congestion so that people can reach their destination faster. Driving in a carpool lane without a passenger is illegal, and this moving violation can equal a fee of $186.

Negligent Driving

Negligent driving essentially means any instance in which a driver endangers themselves or others or property. Driving under the influence can be categorized as negligent driving. Each case is unique, but the fees for a negligent driving violation can be in the thousands, and in some instances, it can be considered a criminal offense.

Drive Safe

Understanding the danger and penalties of traffic violations can be an incentive to drive safely. The best way to ensure you learn the laws and how to follow them is to take a driver’s education program. Learning from a professional will allow you to master driving and stay safe while avoiding the most common traffic violations.

What to Expect from Driving School

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For teens in Washington state, you need to complete a driver training course from a Teen Driving School before you can get your license. For adults, you may need driving school if you have been ordered to attend, or just to refresh your driving skills. The 911 Bellingham Driving School offers courses for both teens and adults. Find out what you can expect from enrolling in one of these courses.

 

Finding a Teen Driving School

First, you’ll need to find a driver training course. In the state of Washington, driving teachers must be certified. The Washington Department of Licensing regulates driver’s education courses and educator certification. You can enroll in a driver’s education course as soon as you turn fifteen years old. In Washington state, all driving education classes must include time spent learning in a classroom setting, as well as time spent behind the wheel with an instructor.

Classroom Training

You will spend thirty hours in a classroom learning from driving instructors. Your instructors will use this time to teach you how to safely operate a vehicle on the road. They will go over starting and stopping, understanding road conditions, and defensive driving techniques.

911 Driving School also offers four hours of simulation training included as part of their teen driver education course. You can have the opportunity to test your skills in hazardous situations without putting yourself at risk.

Behind the Wheel Training

After you’ve attended classes and gotten your permit, you can schedule drives with an instructor. Usually, there will be two students in a vehicle with one instructor. You will alternate between driving and observing the other students.

In Washington state, you need between five and six hours of supervised driving with an instructor to get your license depending on if your school does drive simulation. The Department of Licensing also requires at least one hour of observation time. You will schedule several drives with your instructor to get the required hours.

Practice at Home

You should be practicing driving in addition to classroom training and drive time with an instructor. Washington state requires permitted drivers to log 40 hours of daytime driving and 10 hours of nighttime driving before they can get their license. These drives must be supervised by a driver that has been licensed for at least five years.

Taking the Test

Your driving school instructors will help you study for your driving exam. They will provide you with the knowledge you need to pass, but also have helpful information about studying. There are practice tests available online for the knowledge test skills. The Department of Licensing also provides some very helpful information about what to expect during the driving portion of the test.

Knowledge Test

Before your driving test, you must first prove you know the rules of the road. Your test will include 40 multiple choice questions, and you must answer at least 32 correct to pass, which is 80% accuracy. The test will go over road signs, right-of-way rules, traffic laws, and other safe driving practices. Once you pass the knowledge test, you can schedule your driving test.

Driving Test

Your driving test will involve just you and an instructor. You can ask them questions before the test begins, but once the car is in motion conversation is considered a distraction. Your test proctor will not ask you to do anything illegal or try to trick or confuse you.

Your proctor will be looking for several signs of safe driving. They will verify that you are following traffic laws and road signs. They will also make sure that you are paying attention to other drivers and pedestrians. You must demonstrate safe driving skills for the entire test. 

Your instructor will score you on your ability to drive safely and follow traffic laws.  To pass the driving portion of the test, you need to get a score of 80 out of 100. After the test has finished, your instructor will tell you the results and share with you anything that you may improve on. If you pass, your test results are good for one year to get your license. If you do not pass, you may be required to wait before you can test for your license again. 

There is a fee for both the written test and the driving test. These are in addition to your driver’s education course fees. Once you’ve passed both the knowledge test and the driving test, your scores will be shared with the Department of Licensing. 

Schedule a Class with 911 Bellingham Driving School

Now you know the basics of what might be included in your driving school experience. The next thing to do is pick up the phone and make the appointment to start the process of getting your license. 911 Bellingham Driving School offers courses throughout the year. Check out their availability and enroll in a driver’s education course today!

6 Things To Prepare Your Teen For Drivers Ed

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Sitting behind the wheel of a car for the first time always brings so much excitement. With your teen fast approaching the legal age, it is time to enroll them in a teen driving school. Teen drivers ed helps student practices caution and maintains safety as they take on the driver’s seat. As the parent, you fulfill your responsibility of supporting your teen through their first steps.

6 Things to Prepare Your Teen for Drivers Ed

Driver’s ed for teens can be unsettling for parents, especially if it is your first time. You wish to teach your teen to become responsible, so you should prepare adequately for the task. Below are some valuable tips to prepare your teen for driver’s ed.

1.    Apply For a Learner’s Permit

The age requirements for teen drivers vary from state to state, so it is vital to look up your state’s requirements. Applying for a learner’s permit is the first process to training your teen about responsible driving.

Gaining a learner’s permit prepares your teen mentally for the responsibility they are about to take up. Holding the learner’s permit is essential for a specified time before applying for a full license. Applying for it at the first available opportunity helps minimize time at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when the time comes.

2.    Research Driving Laws and Training Requirements

There are numerous laws covering driving and training requirements that your teen should know. Information research offers your teen an understanding of local driving laws.

Teens memorize the local laws and apply them in practice when driving. Understanding the rules of the road and DMV requirements helps them become better drivers.

3.    Set Some Ground Rules

Your teen should understand that driving, although necessary, is a privilege and not a right. They bear so much responsibility on the roads, so setting some ground rules is essential.

Here are some areas that the ground rules should cover:

•    Irresponsible driving like driving late at night or risky behavior when driving with friends

•    Drunk driving and its consequences

•    Use of mobile phones and electronics when driving

•    Costs of a running car – deliberate on the car’s use and expenses like maintenance, gas, and insurance

Ground rules offer an excellent foundation for learning since your teen will likely stick to the rules even after becoming independent. Setting ground rules saves lives and helps your teen become a better driver.

4.    Teach Your Teen the Various Automotive Basics

Vehicle mechanic basics are essential for young aspiring drivers to help them bud into great motorists. Here are some of the automotive basics that your teen should know;

•    Primary automotive care; covering cleaning and maintenance

•    The functionality of different gauges on the dashboard

•    Teach the teen about the different types of fuel motor vehicles use and guide them through filling a tank with gasoline

•    Help them learn about operational features like wipers, side mirrors, indicator lights, and seat adjusters

•    Teach them about the use of emergency kits

•    Train them on critical mechanical adjustments and approaches like changing a tire or jumpstarting a dead battery.

•    Offer them a vehicle owner’s manual.

5.    Drive Time Is Important

Practice is essential in teen driver’s ed; you never know how much your student learns unless they put it into practice. Offering your teenager some drive time is vital to help them learn how to drive

Driving takes a lot of concentration that the learner has to master over time. Here is a step-by-step process on how to help them learn like a pro

Step 1. Let the teenager start the car and familiarize themselves with the driver’s seat

Step 2. Start the lessons at an empty parking lot as they learn control of the vehicle.

Step 3. Have your teenager treat the parking lot like a regular road. Observe their turning and adherence to road rules in a mock setting

Step 4. After the confidence sets in, you can practice driving around the block when the roads are less busy

Step 5. Practice at different times of the day to help with their comfort levels

6.    Set the Standard While Driving

Teenagers are visual learners, so they will likely emulate driving how they see you do it. Set a good example while driving to train your teen to be a skillful yet safe and cautious driver.

Follow the speed limit at all times and stop at red lights or stop signs. Communicate using a hands-free device if necessary to answer a phone call. Such tips, although simple, go a long way to training your teen about safe driving.

Find the Best School for Teen Drivers Ed

Learning to drive can be an exciting time in your teen’s life since it offers them some sense of responsibility. As the parent, it is your obligation to help them learn, so preparing for teen drivers ed is essential. Enroll them in a reputable driving school to turn them into responsible drivers.

911 Driving School is your trusted institution for driver education. We hire the best police officers and first respondents to offer students the best instruction. Contact us to get started.

Do I Need Driving School as an Adult?

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Most people associate driving school with teens. Young people need the training to be safe drivers, but adults can benefit from driving lessons as well. Here are several reasons that a driving school for adults could be right for you.

You Need a Defensive Driving Refresher

If you struggle with aggressive driving, you can be putting yourself and others at risk. If an aggressive driver taught your lessons, you may not understand that there is a safer way to drive. Improvements in vehicle and road safety since the 1990s have reduced the number of traffic fatalities. However, there has also been an increase in road rage-related accidents. You can add defensive driving skills to your driving toolkit to make you a better driver.

Being a defensive driver keeps you safe on the road. Being able to identify risks and hazards can increase your confidence and prevent accidents. An experienced driving instructor will help you find the gaps in your understanding and keep you safe. Programs like 911 Driving School offer classes specifically for defensive driving. These classes are tailored to help you understand the risks on the road and take action to avoid accidents.

You Are New to Driving in the United States

Driving rules are not universal, even from state to state within the United States of America. If you have recently immigrated from somewhere else, you may not know the rules of the road in your new country. A driving course will help you understand your responsibilities as a driver in America.

This doesn’t just apply for people that are new to the country. There are many reasons as you may not have gained driving experience as an adult. If you’ve grown up with access to reliable public transportation, you may have never needed to drive a car before. If you’ve made the move to the suburbs or have decided it’s time to learn to drive, attending school can increase your confidence and keep you safe.

You Have Had Accidents or Been Ticketed

Getting in a car accident can be frightening. You may be feeling unsure of your driving abilities if you have been in an accident or received a ticket. Attending a driving course will help you understand how you can avoid these situations. The instructors for your course are experts on the rules of the road.

Taking a class also offers you the opportunity to ask questions. Perhaps the officer that ticketed you did not fully explain their reasoning and you’re feeling confused. If you were in an accident and don’t understand why you were found at fault, taking driving lessons may help with this as well.

You Need to Boost Your Driving Confidence

Attending a driving class will boost your confidence in several ways. You will learn more about being a safe driver, as well as the rules of the road. If you’ve been in an accident or gotten a ticket, you may be feeling less sure of your driving abilities.

If you’re an older adult, it may have been several years since you were last formally educated on driving rules. New technology has been developed for cars that can keep you safer on the road. Your instructor can help teach you about blind-spot detection features, adaptive cruise control, and other safety features in your car.

Not only have cars changed, but roads have changed too. For example, roundabouts are a relatively new road invention that has only existed on American roads since the 1990s. However, there’s good evidence that there are fewer accidents at intersections with roundabouts compared to traditional intersections. Learning how to use the new road and car features can boost your confidence and keep you safer on the road.

You’ve Been Ordered to Attend Driving Lessons

If you have been ticketed for a driving infraction, a judge may order you to attend driving school as an adult. This may be in addition to a ticket or fine, but may also be offered as an option for drivers without past driving infractions.

In some cases, attending a driving class means you could qualify for a “deferred finding”. This is an alternative to having a driving infraction appear on your record. So if you attend driving school, you may qualify for fine dismissal, and not accrue points on your license. Work with the courts in your jurisdiction to see if you qualify for a deferred finding. 

Where Can I Find a Driving School for Adults?

Many people avoid driving school because of feelings of shame or fear. Attending such a program can increase your confidence and safety on the road. Seek out a driving school with experienced teachers and a proven curriculum. 911 Driving School employs first responders as their instructors, so you can learn from an expert in the field. We offer online driving education across the United States and in-person classes in several states.

Contact

If you would like to contact or find a 911 Driving School by state or zip code, please use the Locations Page button.

Our locations

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12345 Lake City Way NE #348
Seattle WA 98125-5401

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12345 Lake City Way NE #348
Seattle WA 98125-5401

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