Getting your drivers license is an exciting new adventure, especially for a teenager. With your new license comes new-found freedom. But your driving privileges also come with great responsibility. To become safe licensed drivers, teens are required to follow a path of education and practice to help them prepare.
Phrase One: Drivers Education
Before you ever step foot in the driver’s side, you’ll have to complete the driver’s education course. For most new drivers, your first step towards earning your learners permit is to learn the rules of the road. This will come in the form of a formal drivers education course. Or you can also sign up to complete them online. Some schools may still offer Driver’s Ed as an elective class but many do not. We suggest signing up for this class at school if you have the option. Here’s a quick outline of what you can expect.
- Take a drivers education course
- Pass your learners permit exam
- Begin behind-the-wheel training
- When you’ve completed your required number of behind-the-wheel training hours, apply for your drivers license
Drivers education is a valuable first step in teaching you everything from automobile basics, to driving laws in your state, to life-saving defensive driving maneuvers. In most states you can fulfill your drivers education requirement from home with an online course. Some of the Things You Can Expect to Learn in Your Drivers Education Include:
- Road signs, traffic signals, and right of way
- How to safely change lanes, turn, and enter or exit roadways
- Basic vehicle safety and maintenance
- Proper strategies for emergency situations
Phrase Two: The Written Test
Next stop on the road to earning your license is the written exam, which will test the knowledge you learned in your Driver’s Ed courses. Before you freak out, this test is multiple choice and is held at the DMV. If you’ve ever heard your parents complain about the Department of Motor Vehicles, you’re about to find out why.
Once you pass your written test you will receiving a Driver’s Permit which is a green light towards moving forward with your driving lessons.
Phrase Three: Learning to Drive
Once you’ve learned the rules of the road on paper, you’ll need to take your knowledge behind the wheel.
Your driving permit will allow you the opportunity to learn to drive with adult licensed drivers. Your state will have specific requirements for how you can complete this portion of your license process. For some new drivers, you may be sharing your instruction time with other teen drivers. This offers an excellent opportunity to learn from observation. Listen closely to what the instructor tells the other student drivers and watch their reactions. This will better prepare you for when it’s your turn to take the road.
Phrase Four: The Driving Test
It’s time to put all of that practice to work and show the DMV you are a responsible driver. Just like the lessons, you’ll hop into a car (this time your family’s car) and complete the course of your tester’s choice. They’ll start by asking you to point out fundamental parts of your car, like mirrors, hazard lights and the emergency brake.
Once you’re off on the road, they will watch the way you look over your shoulder before merging, and they’ll internally count to three when you roll up to a stop sign.