The Changing Face of Drivers' Training

By Michele Blandino

Like so many things in the lives of today's teens, the way in which they learn to drive has seen many significant changes in the last ten years.

The Original Drivers' Ed Class

At one point in the not too distant past, Drivers' Education was a staple in the curriculum of nearly every high school in the United States. Unlike so many other aspects of their academic day, most students considered their participation in Drivers' Ed as a rite of passage that was every bit as important as attending the prom or even graduation day. In those days, students nearing the minimum age for obtaining a drivers' license were given the opportunity to enroll in Drivers' Ed, and while doing so certainly wasn't mandatory, most were eager to participate. In addition to classroom instruction which was used primarily to prepare the students for the written portion of the drivers' test, the course usually included several hours of behind-the-wheel training which gave the novice drivers a chance to gain experience in the driver's seat.

And while most parents were happy to have their children receive their driver's training at school, the reality is that in many cases, the instructors assigned to these classes didn't have any type of formal training or for that matter, certification. As a result, the students receiving the training in school-run drivers' education programs were no less likely to be safe drivers than their peers who were taught to drive by a parent or other family member.

The End of the Road

While there isn't any factual data to support this, it is likely that school administrators eventually came to realize that drivers' education - at least in the manner that it existed - did not provide an enormous benefit. Further, budget cuts, rising insurance costs and pressures to keep school curriculums as academically challenging as possible have all combined to push the responsibility for educating young drivers out of the schools and into the homes.

Drivers' Ed Today

With fewer schools offering formal training, today's young drivers are forced to look elsewhere to learn this important skill. And because many families are already pushed to the limit in terms of having free time, many parents opt to enroll their teens in private driving lessons. While there is certainly nothing wrong with going this route, it is important that care be taken to ensure the school you select is reputable. The best way to do this is to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints filed against the school. You should also ask your friends and the parents of your child's friends for recommendations.

Before you commit to anything, be sure to make a visit to the school. Ask to see the cars that will be used for the behind-the-wheel portion of the training and verify that they are equipped with the proper passenger restraints as well as fully-functioning airbags. Finally, ask about the curriculum. Like any other skill, learning to drive properly takes time; programs that claim to be able to have you or your teen on the road within a matter of weeks should be avoided.