The Driver’s License: Then and Now

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.

Supporting and Encouraging Your Teen Driver

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.

5 Simple Ways to Make Safe Driving More Fun

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.

Tips for Teens and Driving with Friends

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.

Teen Driving School: Beyond the Basics 

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.

Top 10 Questions People Have about Drivers Ed

When you sign up for drivers ed classes, it represents a big step toward a lot of new freedom and responsibility. These classes will help teens and adults gain the knowledge and experience they need to become safe and defensive drivers.

Naturally, this means most students (and parents of driving students) will have some important questions about the drivers ed courses and what they can expect after they sign up.

Explore the following 10 questions and answers about driver’s education to help get ready for this big milestone in life.

  1. Why are Experienced and Professional Instructors So Important?

Many parents feel like they can prepare their teens for a driving test on their own. After all, they’ve been driving on the streets for all these years without any problems, so, surely, they can impart that knowledge to their kids.

The fact is that teens have a tendency to not hear the things their parents tell them. On top of that, the situation may feel too casual, and they won’t take it as seriously as they otherwise might.

At 911 Driving School, our driving instructors make all the difference. These teachers have experience as public safety officers and they know how to impart their expert, first-hand knowledge.

  1. How Much Does It Cost?

We offer several different courses for teens and adults, depending on your location. (You can find the driving school closest to you here.) The final cost will depend on which courses you need. However, we recommend that in your search for drivers ed classes, you remember that you always get what you pay for. Instead of focusing strictly on price, make sure you also know the quality of the lessons that the school provides.

  1. Are There Any Special Enrollment Requirements?

Enrolling in a drivers ed class does not have many requirements. However, these will be different in each state. In general, though, the new driver should be at least 15 years old and have consent from their parents or guardians before the first class starts.

  1. What Is Required to Complete the Course?

Again, this could change depending on your location. In most places, though, students will need to complete their classes and drives within 120 days from the day they start the course. These courses will include around 34 hours of classroom instruction, at least 5 one-hour behind-the-wheel sessions, and some observation sessions. 

  1. Is a Drivers Permit Required Before Starting the Course?

These courses involve a number of behind-the-wheel experiences, so the student will need to have a permit. We recommend getting the permit at least 10 days before starting the classes, but there is a little leeway to that, as long as you have it before the first drive.

  1. What Happens If the Driver Does Pass the Course?

Our instructors do everything they can to impart the knowledge and experience that new teen drivers need to pass the course and prepare for their final tests. However, if the student requires extra practice, or they can’t complete the requirements within the given time span, they will simply have to retake the class.

  1. What Is Your Pass Rate?

This question could either mean: “how difficult are your courses?” or “do you just pass everyone so you can have a higher pass rate?” Either way, we feel it’s more important to focus on the experience of our instructors and the techniques we use to develop safer drivers. (Though, if you’d like to get the numbers, be sure to talk directly to the admin of the driving school closest to you.)

  1. Are Your Schedules Flexible?

Whether you’re a teen or an adult, fitting driving classes into your busy schedule can be a bit of a challenge. Our schools have a wide variety of scheduling options so you can get to your get to your teen or adult driving courses and complete all the requirements.

  1. How Can I Get Involved as a Parent of a New Driver?

We always see better results when the parents of teen drivers are quick to get involved and help the new driver develop their skills. Parents can be great coaches, so we recommend following up with your kids to make sure they’re completing the work and preparing for the written test. Make time to go out with them and get some experience on the road. If you’d like more tips, our instructors can provide plenty of guidance.

  1. What Makes a Good Driving Instructor?

Your instructors are going to make the biggest difference in your driver’s education, so it’s important to make sure they’re up to the task. An instructor should know how to relate to their students. They need to have first-hand experience with potential problems on the road. They should be able to help their students understand the importance of defensive driving and how their decisions behind the wheel can impact others.

At 911 Driving School, our instructors meet all of these qualifications. 

If you have any other questions, be sure to get in touch with the 911 Driving School nearest you and discover the benefits of a driving class led by experienced public safety officers.

Tips for Using a GPS Safely on the Road

GPS devices come in many different varieties- phones, tablets, independent systems from technology stores, and even built into a vehicle’s dashboard. Having a GPS system available to driver’s helps them navigate the roads with more confidence. However, drivers taking their eyes off the road to view directions or input information is dangerous. Here are some tips for using a GPS safely on the road.

These safety tips are taught in new driver training courses. If you are looking for a refresher or a little more help to be safe on the road, there are also adult driving courses. Knowing this information is a great way for teens and adults to be prepared for navigating roads.

Is it Safe to Drive with Headphones and Earpieces?

The trend for headphones among teenagers and young adults is always wearing one in your ear. As far as driving is concerned, is it safe to wear headphones this way? What about the more traditional, over the ears style? And how do Bluetooth earpieces play into this safety protocol? These questions are just a few that drivers deal with daily. See what is (and is not) allowed by law and how you can drive safely on the road.

The Legal Aspect

There are many laws that dictate what drivers can and cannot legally do. Every state has its own driving laws, including laws on earpieces. According to AAA, most states do not have restrictions on drivers using an ear bud, headphones, or blue tooth earpiece speaker while driving. Other states require that only one ear may be covered while driving. They list a complete list of current state laws for headphones and earpieces on their site.

The Common Sense Aspect

Whether or not it is legally allowed, drivers should still consider whether using earpieces is responsible and safe. When there is any sort of device blocking the hearing in an ear, the ears cannot hear as well. It is important that drivers can hear if there are emergency vehicles coming, hear honks or warnings given from other drivers, and be able to listen to their car in case there are odd noises. 

Hearing is important to the driving process. While people who are hard of hearing or are deaf can drive, there is a difference when people choose not to use their hearing. Having music, a phone call, or any type of audio in their ear is a distraction from the road. If you must have something in your ear and it is legal in the state where you are driving, at least wear it only in one ear. This can help you hear important noises while driving. 

Use Tech in a Smart Way

Car manufacturers are working hard to design vehicles that use technology in a safer, smarter way. There are safer ways to use technology while driving. Rather than putting any sort of earpiece in your ear, why not utilize the technology that is already there? If you must make a phone call, use the Bluetooth through the dashboard. If you want to listen to music or an audio book, keep your ears open by listening through the speakers.

Enroll in a National Driving School to learn other smart ways to use technology while driving. Staying safe on the road helps protect you and everyone else on the road too.

Car Insurance Tips for New Drivers and How to Keep Rates Low

Adding a new teen driver to your insurance plan is expensive. If a teen wants to drive though, most states require proof of insurance before getting a permit or license. This rule guarantees that both parties will be able to cover the costs of the car, property damaged, and health costs associated with crashes. To understand how to save money, there are some basics to understand about how insurance works.

The Basics of Insurance Coverage

Insurance companies weigh probabilities of costs per driver versus how much money customers put into the coverage. Newer drivers of any age have less experience driving and therefore present the most risk for the insurance company paying out in a crash. Not all new drivers are the same though. New drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 have the highest risk, being three times more likely to get into a fatal crash than drivers 20 years of age or older. Teenage males are twice as likely as females to crash and all teens have their risk go up with each additional passenger in the car. The older a teen gets and the more experience they gain operating a car, rates will begin to drop because they are not as likely to crash.

There are various coverage plans that insurance companies offer. The lowest is liability coverage and is what is mandatory in most states. It covers bodily injury to another person in an accident and property damage coverage if the driver causes property damage. This way, drivers can assume the risk of paying for their own bodily injury and property damages in a crash. There are more optional coverage options that help cover medical bills, loss of income, childcare, and rental cars for a higher cost.

Tips to Save on Insurance

With an understanding on how insurance works, there are some simple ways to save on insurance for new drivers.

Even with finding the right coverage option for your family, insurance costs will be higher for a new teen driver. The best thing to do is keep encouraging them to be good drivers with your words and actions. Set a good example of staying focused on the road and using safe driving practices. As your teen gets more experience, they will develop good driving habits that will benefit them their entire life.

Sources:

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/car-insurance-new-drivers
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/car-insurance-tips-2021/

 

Using Apps to Monitor Your New Teen Driver

When a new driver is learning to drive with their permit, a licensed driver is required to be in the passenger seat. Once they earn their driver’s license, parents and teens lose the security of always having an experienced driver there. For parents who want a little more safety for their new driver, they can download apps to monitor their driving and even get them help if needed. Here are five of the most popular apps for parents of new drivers.

Mama Bear

The app that does the most monitoring is Mama Bear. It is available on iOS and Android. It monitors driving and common safety concerns and reports to the parents. First, parents can set a speed limit for their teen and get notified if they are going over that limit. This speed limit is applicable to your teen driving or if they are the passenger in another car. There are also location settings that allow parents to input addresses and get alerts when their child has arrived and left those places. It can also monitor text messages and phone use while driving and social media use, like tracking followers, pictures, and mentions.

Automatic

Automatic is an app that does more than monitor, it works to be a car assistant. It monitors a driver’s habits and gives tips to improve driving. It also has crash detection, location monitoring, and can provide information on a customizable dashboard.

TrueMotion Family Safe Driving

This free app also monitors driving habits and reports back to parents. Available on iOS and Android, it makes safe driving a family goal. Behaviors like speeding, aggressive handling, and other driving habits are tracked and given points. Family members are ranked for a little friendly competition so drivers are encouraged to break bad habits by being more aware.

Life360

With Life360, parents are sent a detailed weekly report on their teen’s driving habits. Available on iOS and Android. The report includes phone usage while driving, hard braking, speeding, and sudden, fast acceleration. This provides parents an opportunity to discuss safe driving with their teen. Parents can also rest easier knowing that the app has crash alerts with emergency response system and roadside assistance.

AT&T Drive Mode

A free app on iOS and Android, it helps silence text messages and phone calls on a teen’s phone when they are going faster than 15 miles per hour. Instead of letting the message or call through, the app sends an automated message saying the phone user is temporarily unavailable. If the teen turns off any of the safety features, parents are alerted with a notification. While this is not a monitoring system with all bad driving habits, it does help limit phone usage with new teen drivers. This app is available to any phone user, not just AT&T customers.

Get Started Today

Before letting your teen get their license, make sure they are getting the best driver’s education possible. New driver training with a defensive driving course provides a teen with exceptional knowledge and skills for driving safely. Help your teen driver be safe behind the wheel by checking in and staying involved.