Safe2Drive Blog

The first time I felt my steering wheel start to move on its own, I was a little nervous. It just didn’t feel right. Now it’s my favorite party trick when I have new passengers in the car. "Look at this!" I say, and take my hands off the wheel. Then I immediately put my hands back on the wheel where they belong before my car can yell at me, flashing "STEERING REQUIRED" on my dashboard.

The lane keeping assist system in my Honda CRV is pretty cool, but it’s not really "hands-free. " It will help you keep in the center of your lane, but you still need to have your hands on the wheel and control over the car.

My favorite feature is the adaptive cruise control. Unlike standard cruise control that keeps your vehicle at a set speed, adaptive cruise control allows you to indicate how much following space you want between you and the vehicle in front of you, and will accelerate or slow down on its own. It feels futuristic. I recently took a two-hour trip on the highway and didn’t touch my pedals once.

It’s easy to see how features like this start to blur the line between "driver assistance" and "self-driving." When your car can steer a little and handle your speed for hours on the highway, it doesn’t feel like you’re doing much. And that’s exactly why safety experts are paying close attention to how these systems are being used.

Recently, federal regulators opened an investigation into a popular hands-free highway driving system after several serious crashes occurred while the feature was engaged. According to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, investigators are looking at whether the system performed the way it was supposed to and whether drivers were paying attention the way they’re required to. That’s the big issue here. These systems are designed to assist you, not replace you, but the more comfortable and seamless they feel, the easier it is for drivers to mentally check out.

That’s really the heart of the concern. When something works smoothly most of the time, we start trusting it completely. You start answering a text at a red light. You glance at your navigation a little longer than you should. You relax because the car has been doing such a good job staying centered and keeping distance. The problem is that highway speeds don’t leave much room for error, and even a brief lapse in attention can have serious consequences.

Then there’s full self-driving technology. Companies like Waymo are working on vehicles that don’t require any human input at all. Their cars rely on lidar, radar, cameras, and super detailed mapping to navigate city streets safely. The goal is true autonomy, where no driver needs to monitor the road, but the rollout is cautious. Waymo only operates in specific, mapped areas, and their vehicles go through endless testing before carrying passengers. It’s impressive, but it also shows how careful engineers need to be before putting people in a completely hands-off vehicle.

Even the best AI can’t predict everything, and that’s where cautionary tales come in. You might have heard about KitKat, the beloved bodega cat who was killed by a driverless Waymo vehicle. In the heartbreaking viral video, the Waymo drives off within seconds of striking her. It’s an awful reminder that these systems are only as good as the data they’re trained on, and unexpected scenarios can confuse them. It makes you wonder how safe these vehicles really are.

Hands-free and autonomous systems can make driving less stressful and help prevent fatigue, especially on long highway trips, but they aren’t a substitute for alert, engaged drivers. The safest way to use these features is to treat them like a helpful assistant. Keep your eyes on the road, stay mentally engaged, understand where the system works best, and be ready to take over immediately if something unexpected happens.

Technology is moving fast, and the cars of the future are going to be amazing. But right now, no feature can replace a responsible driver. If anything, these systems are a reminder that safe driving still depends on the person behind the wheel.

Tips for Using Hands-Free Features Safely

Even if your car can steer and adjust speed for you, it’s still your job to drive. Here are a few ways to make sure you’re staying safe while enjoying the tech:

1. Keep your eyes on the road: It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to drift when the car is doing most of the work. Treat the system like an assistant, not a replacement.
2. Stay mentally engaged: Avoid distractions like scrolling your phone or looking away from the road for long stretches. Even a few seconds can be the difference between going home or going to the hospital.
3. Understand your system: Know exactly what your car can and can’t do. Lane keep assist works best on clear, marked highways. Adaptive cruise control won’t stop for every obstacle, so you still need to react quickly.
4. Be ready to take over immediately: Keep your hands on the wheel and be prepared to intervene. The car might flash a warning, but don’t rely solely on that reminder.

These features are amazing for reducing fatigue on long trips, but they’re not an excuse to zone out. Think of them like co-pilots helping you stay safe.

Hands-free and self-driving technology is exciting, and it’s making driving easier and safer in many ways. But the bodega cat story and recent investigations are reminders that nothing replaces a fully alert driver. The better you understand the technology, the safer your trips will be, whether it’s a short commute or a long highway drive.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

The first time I felt my steering wheel start to move on its own, I was a little nervous. It just didn’t feel right. Now it’s my favorite party trick when I have new passengers in the car. "Look at this!" I say, and take my hands off the wheel. Then I immediately put my hands back on the wheel where they belong before my car can yell at me, flashing "STEERING REQUIRED" on my dashboard.

Daylight saving time is one of those things we all notice but don’t really talk about much… until we lose an hour of sleep. In 2026, the clocks will spring forward at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, when most of the United States moves clocks ahead one hour. That means we get more daylight in the evening, but it also means losing an hour of sleep, and that can affect driving safety in ways a lot of people overlook.

For most of us, losing that hour doesn’t feel like much at first. But it can make it harder to stay focused, react quickly to sudden situations, or notice hazards on the road. That’s especially true for teen drivers. They’re still gaining experience and building good habits behind the wheel, so even slight fatigue can make driving more challenging.

Why the Time Change Can Affect Driving

Sleep isn’t just something that helps you feel rested. It directly affects how well your brain functions. When teens lose an hour of sleep, their attention span, decision-making, and ability to stay focused can all suffer. That might mean missing a turn signal, not seeing a pedestrian in the distance, or reacting slower than usual to changing traffic conditions.

It’s also not just about the first night of the time change. Sometimes it can take several days for someone’s body clock to fully adjust. So even if a teen thinks they’re fine, their body might still be running on "standard time" internally. That can mean a week where they’re carrying around a little sleep debt and not realizing it.

Practical Spring Forward Driving Safety Tips

The good news is there are simple things families can do to make this transition safer:

• Encourage a gradual bedtime shift. In the nights before March 8, have your teen go to bed 15 to 20 minutes earlier each night. That way their body has time to adjust before the morning of the change.
• Limit late-night driving when you can. Fatigue is usually worse later at night, especially when a person is still adjusting to the time change. If your teen can avoid late drives for a few days, it helps.
• Keep distractions under control. Driving with music up loud, group conversations, or phone use can make it even harder to stay focused when a driver isn’t fully alert. So, turn the music down, keep conversations to a minimum, and put the phone away.
• Plan short breaks for longer trips. If your teen is headed out on a longer drive after March 8, build in breaks. A quick stop every hour or so lets them stretch, refresh, and refocus.
• Watch for signs of drowsy driving. If a teen yawns a lot, rubs their eyes, or can’t keep their focus on the road, it’s a sign they’re too tired to be driving. Make sure they know it’s okay to pull over or call for help rather than pushing through it.

These tips can help a lot!

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Daylight saving time gives us lighter evenings and a hint that spring is on the way, but that first week of adjusting can catch a lot of people off guard. For teen drivers, even a small amount of added fatigue can increase the chance of mistakes behind the wheel.

Talking about the effects of the time change before it happens, encouraging good sleep habits, and setting clear expectations can help teens stay safer on the road. It’s one of those small changes that doesn’t take much effort but can make a real difference when the clocks change this year and every year.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

Daylight saving time is one of those things we all notice but don’t really talk about much… until we lose an hour of sleep. In 2026, the clocks will spring forward at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, when most of the United States moves clocks ahead one hour. That means we get more daylight in the evening, but it also means losing an hour of sleep, and that can affect driving safety in ways a lot of people overlook.

Most drivers don’t think about vehicle recalls until they receive a notice in the mail. In fact, I recently took my car in for a recall issue from 2024. I know, I know. Life gets busy, especially for families juggling school, work, sports, and everything in between. Unfortunately, putting off a recall repair can mean driving around with a safety issue you may not even realize is there.

That’s why we have Vehicle Safety Recalls Week. Observed March 2-8, it serves as a nationwide reminder for drivers to check for open recalls and take care of them. The campaign is led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is the federal agency focused on reducing crashes and improving roadway safety across the country. The message is pretty straight-forward: check your vehicle and fix safety defects before they lead to disaster on the road.

What Is a Vehicle Safety Recall?

A vehicle safety recall is issued when a car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, or even a child safety seat has a defect that affects safety or does not meet federal safety standards. These defects can range from minor issues to serious problems that increase the risk of injury in a crash. Recalls may involve airbags that do not deploy correctly, brakes that wear out too quickly, steering components that can fail, or electrical systems that increase fire risk.

When a recall is issued, the manufacturer is required to fix the problem at no cost to the owner. That means you should not be paying out of pocket for recall-related repairs. Depending on the issue, the repair could be as simple as a software update or as involved as replacing a major component. Either way, the goal is to correct the safety defect and reduce the risk on the road.

Why Checking for Recalls Is So Important

Millions of vehicles on the road today have open recalls that have never been repaired. In many cases, drivers simply do not know there is a problem. If you purchased a used vehicle, moved to a new address, or ignored a notice that came in the mail, it is possible your vehicle has an open recall without you realizing it.

For parents of teen drivers, this is especially important. New drivers are still gaining experience and learning how to respond to unexpected situations. The last thing they need is a preventable mechanical issue that could make a challenging situation worse. Making recall checks part of your regular vehicle maintenance routine is a simple way to add an extra layer of protection for your family.

Even experienced drivers benefit from taking a few minutes to check. Mechanical defects do not always show obvious warning signs, and a vehicle can seem perfectly fine until something fails at the worst possible moment.

How to Check Your Vehicle for a Recall

Checking your vehicle for an open recall is quick and free. All you need is your Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN. This 17-character number can be found on the lower corner of your dashboard on the driver’s side, usually visible through the windshield. It’s also listed on your vehicle registration card and insurance documents.

Once you have your VIN, you can enter it into the recall lookup tool on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. The search will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that have not yet been repaired. If there’s an open recall, you can contact your local dealership to schedule the repair.

The repair itself is free, and dealerships are required to complete recall work regardless of whether you purchased the vehicle there.

Taking a few minutes to run this check can give you peace of mind before your next commute, road trip, or daily school drop-off.

A Simple Safety Habit Worth Building

We tend to think about vehicle maintenance in terms of oil changes, tire rotations, and brake checks. Adding recall checks to that list makes sense. It doesn’t take long, it doesn’t cost anything, and it can prevent a serious problem down the road.

Vehicle Safety Recalls Week is a good reminder to check your own vehicle, but it is also a great time to remind friends and family members to do the same. If you have a teen driver in your household or a child riding in a car seat, taking this extra step is well worth the effort.

Before you head out on your next drive, take a moment to make sure your vehicle is not subject to an open recall. It’s a small task that can make a huge difference in keeping everyone on the road a little safer.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

Most drivers don’t think about vehicle recalls until they receive a notice in the mail. In fact, I recently took my car in for a recall issue from 2024. I know, I know. Life gets busy, especially for families juggling school, work, sports, and everything in between. Unfortunately, putting off a recall repair can mean driving around with a safety issue you may not even realize is there.

If you’re trying to figure out how to get a first-time driver license in Indiana, you’re not alone. Many families want clear, step-by-step guides that explain permits, supervised driving hours, and testing requirements. This guide walks through the process from start to finish, answering common questions Indiana families may have.

Before we get into it, here’s a quick checklist that gives you a simple overview of the steps you’ll need to complete before the Indiana BMV will issue a first-time driver license:

• Meet the minimum age requirement
• Apply for and hold a learner’s permit
• Complete required supervised driving hours
• Pass the vision, knowledge, and driving tests
• Bring the right documents to the Indiana BMV

Step 1: Get an Indiana Learner’s Permit

The first step for any new driver is getting a learner’s permit through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

• You may apply at age 15 if you’re enrolled in an approved driver education course.
• If you’re not enrolled in driver education, you must be at least 16 years old to apply.
• You must pass a vision screening and a written knowledge test.
• Drivers under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the application.
• You must bring documents proving identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and Indiana residency.
• Pay the fee. The learner’s permit fee is set by the Indiana BMV.

Once your permit is approved by the BMV, you’re allowed to practice driving with supervision.

Step 2: Complete Supervised Driving Practice

After receiving a learner’s permit, new drivers must gain real-world experience behind the wheel.

• Drivers regardless of age must complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving.
• At least 10 of those hours must take place at night.
• All practice hours must be recorded on Indiana’s official supervised driving log.
• The supervising driver must meet Indiana’s licensing and age requirements.

Completing these hours helps ensure new drivers are prepared for different driving conditions before taking the road test.

Step 3: Apply for a First-Time Driver License

Once the permit holding period and practice requirements are met, drivers can move forward with applying for a license.

• You must hold your learner’s permit for at least 180 days.
• With approved driver education, you may qualify for a probationary license at age 16 years and 90 days.
• Without driver education, you must be at least 16 years and 270 days old.
• You must pass an in-person driving skills test.
• Your supervised driving log and required documents must be presented at the BMV.

After passing the driving test and meeting all requirements, the Indiana BMV can issue your first probationary driver license if you are under age 21. If you are age 21 or older, it is considered a full license.

Indiana BMV Approval

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles oversees every stage of the licensing process, from issuing learner’s permits to approving road tests and granting driver licenses. All documents, tests, and supervised driving hours must meet BMV standards before you can move from one step to the next.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to get a driver’s license in Indiana?

You must be at least 16 years and 90 days old if you complete driver education, or 16 years and 270 days old if you do not.

How long do you need to hold a learner’s permit in Indiana?

You must hold a learner’s permit for at least 180 days before applying for a driver license. This waiting period gives new drivers time to build experience under supervision.

How many driving hours are required in Indiana for new drivers?

Indiana requires at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 nighttime hours.

Is driver education required in Indiana?

Driver education is not required, but it allows drivers to qualify for a license at a younger age.

Can you take the Indiana driving test online?

No. The driving skills test must be taken in person at a BMV location or through an approved driving school.

What documents are needed to get an Indiana learner’s permit?

You’ll need proof of identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and two Indiana residency documents.

Are there nighttime driving restrictions for new drivers in Indiana?

Yes. Probationary license holders have nighttime and passenger restrictions during the early months.

For the first 180 days after getting a probationary license, a driver may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. They also may not carry passengers unless there is a licensed driver at least 25 years old in the front seat, a licensed driving instructor, or a spouse who is at least 21. The only exception is that they may transport a child, stepchild, sibling, half-sibling, step-sibling, or spouse without another adult present.

After the first 180 days and until the driver turns 18, additional nighttime limits apply. Probationary drivers may not drive Sunday through Thursday after 11 p.m., or before 5 a.m. the next day. On Friday and Saturday, they may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. There are exceptions for driving to and from work, school-sponsored activities, or religious events, or if they are accompanied by a qualified adult. These restrictions stay in place until the driver turns 21.

How much does it cost to get a first-time driver license in Indiana?

Fees vary by permit and license type and are set by the Indiana BMV.

Can parents teach their teen to drive in Indiana?

Yes. Parents who meet Indiana’s requirements may supervise practice driving.

What happens if you fail the Indiana driving test?

If you fail the driving skills test, you must wait 7 days (1 week) before you can take it again. If you fail the driving test three times, you must wait two months from the date of your last failed test before trying again.

What to Do Next

Once you understand how to get a first-time driver license in Indiana, the next step is choosing how you wish to proceed. Many families look into approved driver education programs or additional behind-the-wheel training to help new drivers build confidence and stay safe on the road.

If you’re interested in completing the driver education requirement online, Safe2Drive would love to help! Visit our website to learn more about the course and register today!

If you’re trying to figure out how to get a first-time driver license in Indiana, you’re not alone. Many families want clear, step-by-step guides that explain permits, supervised driving hours, and testing requirements. This guide walks through the process from start to finish, answering common questions Indiana families may have.