Most teenagers are excited to begin their driving career. In most states, teens who hope to earn a driver’s license are required to complete a driver education course. If you’re a teen and you’re thinking, "Ugh, another class I have to take? Does driver education even matter?" We hear you! There are a lot of misconceptions about the value of driver education courses out there. All new drivers could benefit from a driver education course. We’re going to address three common misconceptions about driver education courses.
1. Are Driver Education courses a waste of time?
Ideally, no! Just like anything else, the effort you put into it matters. If you treat driver education like a time waster and never pay attention, then that’s what it will be! But if you take your time, take it seriously, and really do your best to absorb the information, it will be well worth it. When you take a driver education course, you learn about traffic safety, how to operate a motor vehicle, defensive driving techniques, impaired driving, how to protect yourself in a collision, how to avoid collisions, and many other topics! Each state has specific guidelines for the topics driver education courses must cover, and courses are designed to give you all the information you need in order to obtain your driver’s license and become a safe, defensive driver.
2. Isn’t Driver Education super boring?
That depends on which course you take! Driving topics can be a little dry. At Safe2Drive, we want you to enjoy your driver education experience. That’s why our online driver education courses include interactive games, videos, pictures, illustrations, and slideshows. When you take a driver education course with Safe2Drive, you won’t be mindlessly scrolling through boring text, or struggling to stay awake in a stuffy classroom.
3. Can’t I just skip Driver Education and get my license later?
Honestly, maybe. It depends on what state you’re in. Some states, like Illinois, require people age 18 to 20 to take an Adult Driver Education course if they skipped the regular driver education course. Even if your state doesn’t require driver education after you turn 18, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider taking a driver education course anyway. Driver education courses help you build the foundation you need in order to be a safe and defensive driver. Skipping your driver education course and going right into driving on your own may sound like a good idea in theory, but in reality, you will be underprepared for the world of driving.
Driver education courses are valuable because driving is something you get better at with more practice, but not all practice is equal. You may have heard the phrase, "Practice makes permanent." I first learned this phrase from my band director in middle school. If you play the school’s fight song 100 times, eventually you’ll probably be able to play it from memory. The more you practice, the more it sticks in your brain. But if you practice a song incorrectly, you’re going to memorize it incorrectly.
The same holds true for driving. Over time, you’ll get more comfortable behind the wheel, and you’ll know how to drive from memory. But, if you never really learned how to drive safely and defensively, your driving skills may be lacking. Driver education courses give you a solid foundation from the start so that over the years, you’ll memorize not just how to drive, but how to drive safely and defensively.
Driver education courses teach teens skills they will use for the rest of their lives. When you take a driver education course, you’re doing more than fulfilling a requirement. You’re giving yourself the best start to a long and safe driving career. We think that’s pretty valuable! If you’re ready to register for a driver education course, visit our website to see if we offer an online course in your state!