What Is the Age to Start Driver's Ed?
With the exception of Kansas and South Dakota, potential drivers under the age of 18 in the United States must acquire a driver's permit, otherwise known as a graduated license or learner's permit. The age at which you area allowed to apply for driver's permit ranges from 14 to 16 years, depending on the state. A driver's permit allows the driver to operate a vehicle contingent on certain conditions, including that the learning driver complete a driver's education course.
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Driver's Education
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Completion of a driver's ed course is required for those under the age of 18. In most states, driver's ed consists of about 30 of classroom instruction, which can be achieved through various means, as explained in the sections below. It is possible to get a learner's permit without taking driver's ed; however, you will not be able to apply for a regular, non-restricted driver's license until the age of 18.
Public or Private School Instruction
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Students can take driver's ed through their private or public school. A public or private school program is one way to meet the driver's ed classroom requirement. Although not all high schools offer an in-school driver's ed course, those that do usually make it available to sophomores who have reached the age of 15. Private schools that meet in the evenings, on weekends or during the summer are also available as an option in most areas.
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Parent Taught
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Guardians can teach students driver's ed through the DMV. Some states will allow a parent or legal guardian to teach a driver's ed course, providing the person is accepted into the Department of Motor Vehicles' Parent Taught Driver Education Program. The parent/instructor must have a state valid driver's license, have no convictions of criminal conduct while driving, or not have had his license suspended or revoked within a certain number of years, depending on the state.
Internet Instruction
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Not all online drivers' ed courses are state approved. Taking a driver's ed course through the internet is not only convenient, but it can improve teen drivers. According to the USA DMV, online driver education has "shown dramatic improvements in the accident rates of teen drivers when compared to the current national and state averages." There are numerous online drivers training courses--you can find a few in the "Resources" section--but not all are state approved. Check with the local DMV before choosing an online course.
Cost
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Driver's ed costs vary from state to state and depending on the method you choose. Registering for a parent to teach driver's education costs about $20 in most states. Public or private school instruction ranges anywhere from free to $425 or more, depending on the school district. Internet instruction prices can range from $60 to $100.
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References
Resources
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