Driver Education
Turning your teen into a safe driver is a complex task. It involves learning the rules of the road and how to safely operate a vehicle – two big areas where professional driver education and training can help tremendously.
Quality driver education provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skills that can help mold a safe driver. It can also help preserve your relationship with your teen, as even very skilled and safety-conscious parents might not have the time or temperament to be the best teacher.
Choosing a Quality Driving School
When the time comes to pick a driving school, look beyond your budget and timeframe to seek out a quality driving school—one that focuses on your teen’s safety, not just passing the license test at the cheapest price.
- Ask around. Does your local high school offer driver education? Check with friends and neighbors about driving schools they’ve used.
- Call several driving schools. Ask questions about the quality of their operations, and ask for references.
- Talk to people about classroom vs. online classes.
- Visit several driving schools. Ask to sit in on a session, take a look at the vehicles and student materials. Check to see if they use current training materials, have professional instructors and maintain clean classrooms and safe vehicles.
- Focus on quality. Don’t settle for driving schools that advertise quick or easy programs.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau.
Quality Driving Schools |
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Require instructors to complete ongoing training. |
Have reasonable student-teacher ratios. |
Are members of professional associations such as American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association and Driving School Association of the Americas. |
Want, encourage and facilitate parental involvement. |
Have a solid history of resolving complaints to their customers' satisfaction. |
Kansas youth are required to successfully complete an approved driver education course unless waiting until age 16 to get a restricted license. Regardless, driver education is an important step in the process of learning to drive. Here is a list of commercial driving schools approved by the Kansas Department of Education.
- Choosing a Vehicle – How to choose a safe vehicle when the time comes.
- Teaching Your Teens to Drive – A program that gives parents everything they need to be a good driving coach.
- Choosing a Driving School – Driver education courses are designed to teach new drivers fundamental skills required to drive a motor vehicle. Tips in this AAA brochure will help you select the best driver training school.
- Becoming the New Driver in Your Family -This brochure outlines tips and responsibilities of being a safe driver.