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Teaching Your Teen to Drive

About your Teen’s Driver’s Education Program

Many states require that teens attend a driver’s education or driver’s training program.  Here are some suggestions on how to help make sure your teen gets the most out of it:

• Find other parents of teens who’ve completed a driver’s education program. Ask about their experience and listen to their recommendations.
• Visit the facility and find out as much as you can about the program.
  • How much on-the-road practice do they do? 
  • If the program is not affiliated with your local high school, is it accredited?
  • What are the instructors’ credentials?
  • How much liability insurance does the school carry in case there’s an accident?
• How much parental involvement is encouraged?
• Talk to your teen’s instructor to find out what you should focus on when it’s your turn to be the instructor. It’s also a good idea to ask how you can supplement what they’re teaching your teen.
• Remember that a driver’s education program is just a small part of learning to drive. It’s up to you to provide your teen with the majority of their supervised driving practice.
• Avoid programs with training in skid control or other emergency driving maneuvers. Such programs have been found to increase rather than decrease crashes.