Is it time for you to take a driver’s education course? Does the cost of driving school keep you from driving? Learn about the average driving school prices as you make the best decision!
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For a person who needs to learn how to drive, the cost of driving school may be “driving” that individual away. But learning how to drive is a mandate in over half of our states in our union. While the cost varies from state to state, the cost of classroom driving instruction ranges from about $50 to $180. The road training can cost between $50 and $150. Many driving schools offer a package that is all-inclusive. Potential driving students can combine their classroom instruction with the road instruction. The general cost ranges between $200 and $800.
Additionally, the vehicle that you are learning how to drive in, should be equipped with an adjustable steering column, air bags and other mandates that your state will require. Additionally, the car should not be more than four years old. Many states now demand that teen drivers have a vehicle that has dual controls, before taking their state driving exam. Most driving schools offer a vehicle to rent, for driving exam purposes.
How Many Lessons Should It Take To Learn To Drive In Total?
Many state DMV offices or state driving offices recommend that a new driving student take at least 45 hours of driving lessons, alongside a fully accredited and certified driving instructor. That driving student should take an additional 20 hours of driving practice with friends and family. This means that a new driver should spend between 45 and 75 hours on learning how to drive. Driving practice is important before you take your driving test.
How Many Lessons Should I Take Per Week?
A driving student should divide those driving lessons into 40 or 50 hours- worth of one to two-hour sessions. The amount will depend on what the driving student is able to handle. A new driving student should not be overwhelmed, as this can lead to frustration, and failure of the state mandated driving test.
When it comes to driving, “practice makes perfect.” We will even take our advice one step further by stating that “constant practice makes perfect.” The key to becoming a great driver, is to constantly practice driving. This means that you as a student should devote at least three to four private lessons a week. Then you should continue your practice with a friend or family. Take a car in a parking lot and practice parallel parking. Or simply practice using the turning signals on less-congested roads. The more you practice driving, the better driver you will become!
Driving School Prices & Getting the Best Deal On Your Driving School
When it comes to getting the best deal for your driving education, you want to make sure that you get the most for your money. So, how do you go about doing that? We have a few tips that may help!
Do Your Research
Just like anything else that you purchase, you want to make sure that you do your research. Ask your DMV or Secretary of State office, to find out what the requirements are for driving. Next, find accredited and state-approved driving programs that will help you to meet requirements and offer you sound, stable and informative driving instruction.
Compare Driving Schools
Now that you have a few driving schools that you are interested in learning more about, you want to compare those schools. What are the prices like? What is the cost of an all-inclusive driver’s education package? What are the ratings of the school? Do they offer discounts to adults, veterans or more seasoned students? Are they approved by the state you live in? What kind of reputation does the driving school have? These questions and more should be happily answered by your driving school.
Who Has The Best Driving School For You?
When you are deciding on a driving school, you want to ensure that the driving school can meet your needs. For example, if you are well over the age of a teen, you want to see who has the best driving education courses and instruction for adults. If you are a parent, you may check with your teen’s school, as many schools have their own driving schools. Driving education should be informative, comfortable for you the child, and even fun. You want to learn how to be a safe, courteous and alert driver. So, if the school cannot provide such, then you need to “drive on”.
Can I Take Driving Education Courses Online?
While some driving education courses are available for online access, you certainly cannot take a driving test online. We as a society have not perfected that yet. So, you still have to show up for your driving test.
Driving Instruction During Pandemic /Global Crisis
It’s no secret that we live in times of global unrest. Therefore, it is important to ask driving schools how they are teaching driving instruction in the midst of global unrest. You want to take safety precautions, while following all of the rules and regulations set by your driving school.
What Should I look For in a Driving Instructor?
There are certain traits that you want your driving instructor to have. Let’s take a look at some of them!
Full Accreditation and Certification
When looking for your ideal driving instructor, you want to make sure that he or she is fully accredited and certified in your state.
Understanding and Informative
The driving instructor you choose, should be someone who is understanding and well versed in driving in your state. You may want to ask your potential driver instructor’s methods of teaching as well as his or her driving philosophy. If those aspects of driving instruction are aligned with your needs, then you may have a great driving instructor on your hands!
Why Take a Driver’s Education Course in the First Place?
If driver’s education isn’t necessary in your state, then the obvious question is “Why bother going to a driving school?” While this is a valid question to ask, there are some benefits of taking a driver’s ed course, even if your state doesn’t require it. Check out some of the benefits below!
You Will Learn The Traffic Laws and Road Signs of Your State
The first benefit to taking a driver’s ed course, is the fact that you will learn about the traffic laws specific to your state. You will also have access to a school that will also help you to learn about laws that change-that affect drivers. A driver’s education course will also help you to identify signs that you will see as you drive. While some are obvious, others can pose a question that a driver’s ed course can help you decipher.
A Reduction in Your Car insurance
If you decide to take a driver’s ed course- even though your state does not require it, your car insurance company may thank you, by offering you a reduction in your premiums! Who doesn’t want to pay less car insurance these days?!
An Education On What To Do, If Stopped By an Officer
Another important aspect of taking a driver’s ed course, is that your instructor will go over the correct protocol that drivers should take, when stopped by a police officer. If you are stopped for speeding, or you fail to use a turn signal, what do you do? How should your hands be placed after you park the car? What do you say to an officer after being stopped? In today’s day and age, it is vital that you know what to do and not to do, should you ever be stopped by law enforcement for an alleged traffic infraction.
Learn How To Be a Defensive An Alert Driver
Thinking that you can learn how to be an alert and defensive driver by just reading a book is not going to “get it.” In an effort to learn how to stay safe and remain alive and alert on the road, comes from a driver’s course. The driving instructor can give you some book knowledge, but also offer great in-person scenarios, and support.
You’ll Gain More Confidence!
Instead of feeling fear and apprehension, a driver’s ed course will help you to be a more confident driver. Your instructor will allow you to practice your driving, while showing you how to adjust your mirrors, look in blind spots and more! The more you do this, the better and more confident of a driver you will be! You just can’t get this form of instruction and assurance from a book about learning how to drive!
Is Drivers Education Required in My State?
At the time of this post, 32 states in our country DO require some sort of formal driver’s education course, and exam that you have to take to become a licensed driver. You want to ask your state DMV, Secretary of State or your driver’s license office what is required. Some states in our union require that ALL new drivers (teen and adults!) take a formal educational training class or course.
Are There States That Allow Me To Take Online Driver’s Ed Courses?
Yes, there are. Check out what some states require, as the driving education can be moved online:
California
While taking some of your driver’s education online, state residents have to complete a state-approved California Driver’s Education class, and pass California’s written test. Additionally, the state of California requires that drivers be between the age of 15 1/2 years old and 18 years to obtain a provisional permit.
Florida
The state of Florida requires that ALL first-time drivers successfully take and complete the Florida DATA drug and alcohol course BEFORE that perspective driver apply for a learner’s permit.
Illinois
Looking to drive and get your license in Illinois? Only persons over the age of 18 years old are allowed to take Drivers Education online.
Kansas
The state of Kansas requires that ALL drivers take a state-approved driver's education course, which can be completed online.
Click here to learn about additional states that offer online driving school at various prices!
Helpful Resources For Driving School Prices and More
Need additional resources? We have them!
- Driving Age by State- Learner’s Permit – click here for more!
- State Driving Requirements- What Each State Requires- Click your state and learn more!
- State By State Overview- Learning Which States Require Driver’s Ed- what does your state mandate? Click here to find out!