Driving Courses for Teens

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death of teenagers in this country, with 81,000 deaths attributable to accidents involving teen drivers between the years 2000 and 2009, according to SafeRoads4Teens.org. Even if your teen is a responsible driver, others on the road may not be. Preparation and training may make the difference between having an accident and avoiding one. Statistics show that defensive driving classes substantially lower accident risk.

1. Hands-On Driving

   • Experience makes the driver, and your teen will get plenty of that at many hands-on driving schools. Teen students will be placed in mock hazardous driving situations and given training by experienced personnel. The Danny McKeever driving school in Southern California offers training in vehicle dynamics and car control, as well as other critical areas. Other driving schools such as Street Survival course, Driver's Edge and New Car Control Clinic, offer experience for your teen behind the wheel of his own vehicle in such maneuvers as braking around a corner and performing figure eight patterns under wet and dry conditions. Check online for hands-on driving courses in your area.

   Simulators

   • Computer software driving simulators are available to order online and may be used with a student's home computer or with school computers to teach multiple drivers in the classroom. Different software packages are offered depending on the driving experience and skill level desired. One such software company even offers alcohol goggles to simulate the effects of driving under the influence. AAA Michigan, as of December 2010, had four simulators in use at Michigan schools to help teach teens driving skills and the effects of distracted driving.

   Internet Courses

   • Driver's ed classes in schools fill up quickly with teens anxious to get behind the wheel. As an alternative to waiting on the classroom, several online schools offer training to obtain a learner's permit. Prior to paying course fees, however, contact your local DMV to make sure the online course is acceptable.

   Insurance Company Courses

   • Insurance companies may offer a combination of online video courses and parent-supervised driver training to lower insurance rates for teen drivers. Depending on the insurance company, the course may require parent-logged time behind the wheel with question and answer sessions for your teen driver.

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