Are you or your teen ready to learn how to drive? Nice! There are a lot of great options out there these days. But sometimes the more options you have, the harder it is to make a decision. This article will hopefully give you the information you need to make the best choice for you.
First let’s take a look at whether you will need an adult driver’s ed course or a teen course.
Adult Drivers Ed vs. Teen Drivers Ed
This is a pretty simple choice as it’s based on what state you live in and how old you are. You’ll need to check what the drivers license requirements are in your state. If you are younger than 18, you’ll need to take teen driver’s ed (if your state requires it). If you are over 18, you would choose adult drivers ed (if your state requires it).
Teen Drivers Ed
Some states do not require teens under the age of 18 to take a state-approved driver's ed course, but they do require a teen to show proof they have done a required number of hours of driving practice with an adult. You’ll be able to find the most current licensing requirements on your state’s government website.
Adult Drivers Ed
The law varies state-by-state for adults over the age of 18. In Texas, for example, you must take an adult driver’s ed course if you are between the ages of 18 and 25. The adult driver's ed course in Texas is only 6 hours, whereas the teen course is 32 hours long. Course length and what must be taught in the courses are mandated by the state, so you can be sure that any state-approved course will teach you what you need to know. The adult and teen courses cover similar content, but the adult course moves through the curriculum at a faster pace.
Here’s a decision tree to help you decide.
Whether you choose to take adult drivers ed or teen drivers ed, the course will cover the rules of the road, the meaning of road signs and signals, basic car maintenance, and what to do in an emergency. Even if drivers ed is not required by your state, these are all good things to know in order to be a safe and responsible driver.
So hopefully you now know which version of drivers ed is right for you – adult or teen. Next you’ll want to look at whether you want to take an online or in-person course. There are pros and cons to both! Let’s take a look.
The Pros and Cons of Online Drivers Ed
When it comes to choosing between online drivers ed and in-person drivers ed, there are many pros and cons to consider, but I’ll highlight a few of the most important ones.
PRO: Flexibility! As long as you have a device and access to the internet, you can take an online drivers ed course anywhere, any time. That’s a pretty major benefit for most people. Busy teens who are involved in extracurricular activities may find it challenging to find time for an in-person drivers ed class on top of everything else. The same thing goes for busy adults!
PRO: Lower cost. In many cases, an online driver’s ed course is less expensive than an in-person driver’s ed course. With an online-course you aren’t paying for the added overhead costs of classroom space and an instructor. Do a little research and look at whether online or in-person driver’s ed gives you the best bang for your buck.
PRO: Self-pacing. As long as you aren’t going through the online course faster than the state allows, you can take things at your own pace and learn in a way that works best for you.
PRO: Engaging content. Online drivers ed courses know how to keep learning interesting with clickable questions, videos, and entertaining case studies. If you learn by doing, you may find you learn better with an online course.
CON: Self-directed learning! If you are someone who isn’t motivated to complete your driver's ed in a timely way, you may find you need a more structured learning environment of a traditional in-person driver’s ed class.
Here’s a summary of those pros and cons:
So there you have it! Hopefully, you’re feeling empowered with the information you need to make a good decision about which driver’s ed course is right for you. If after taking driver's ed, you’d like to continue learning about how to drive safely, then you may want to check out our defensive driving course. This course isn’t just for ticket dismissal; it could help you be a more confident driver and help you save money on car insurance too!
Learning to drive is a major step towards independence and freedom. It’s also a big responsibility! You want to make sure you are well-prepared with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to be a safe and happy driver.
Learn more and get started on driver’s ed today!
