ARE DRIVER’S EDUCATION COURSES WORTH IT?
Today, by the age of 16, many teenagers are now getting their Driver’s License. For them, this is the highest level of freedom they can have and with this freedom comes a lot of dangers. Around the world, it has been noted that teenage drivers are responsible for a large chunk of car accidents.
Learning to drive is not a simple task, therefore, mastery and full understanding of the skill is required. There are different road rules and circumstances that everyone needs to be conversant with to ensure that they’re able to take the necessary actions at the right time. In this article, we will be analyzing the nature of driver’s education to determine if it’s really worth it or not.
The Nature of Driver Education Courses
Driver’s education varies depending on the state but for the most part, there are many similarities. For some states, driver’s education classes are mandatory while other states are optional. States like Georgia require teens to complete a driver’s education course before they receive their license, while states like New jersey do not need this requirement. During most driver’s education courses, students are taught the rules of the road, and defensive driving techniques as well as basic requirements to operate a motor vehicle. In Georgia, driver’s education courses (Joshua’s Law) include about 30 hours of classroom time and six hours of Behind The Wheel (BTW) lessons.
Although, some states have their own standards, because driver’s education courses are not federally regulated, there are some schools that will be better than other schools. This has forced the National Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue guidelines to be followed by all driver’s education courses. But it is important to note that the basic curriculum for driver’s education programs has gone relatively unchanged for more than 50 years. The NHTSA has recommended the improvement of this curriculum and the adherence to the guidelines set. So it is recommended that you go for driver’s education courses in states that follow these guidelines. One of the states that have proven to offer high standard driver education courses in Oregon. With numerous experts in the field of driving, this state offers one of the best levels of driver’s education courses in the US.
Real Benefits of Driver’s Education
Research has shown that there are some benefits to taking driver’s education courses. Here are two major benefits.
- More confidence: After the completion of a driver’s education course, you feel more confident when driving and confidence has been proven to help driving performance.
- Master the road and become a safer driver: Once you finish a driver’s education you better understand the rules of the road, your responsibilities as a driver, and what to do during emergencies. Teenagers will be taught tips on weather conditions and the importance of avoiding distractions while driving.
- Peace of mind: For parents, knowing that their teen is equipped with the right set of skills provides a comfort in knowing that a professional set of eyes and experience was included in the developmental process.
Cost of Driver’s Education
Nowadays, there are fewer driver’s education courses available due to several budget cuts. This has, therefore, put pressure on the few available making them cost as high as $500. This could seem high but compared to some of the benefits like gaining the knowledge required to handle emergency situations, it’s a small price to pay for your own safety. Apart from the benefits, depending on the insurance company, some provide between 5 to 20 percent discount. This has over time helped reduce the cost of taking these courses.
The Wiser Driver Driving School provides teen and adult driving lessons as well as driver education courses. We offer Joshuas Law Courses in the classroom and online formats. The Wiser Driver is a veteran-owned and operated driving school located in Powder Springs, Georgia.