Hit the Road, Jack: Summer Driver’s Education Training

The summer months invoke a sense of freedom in us all — but especially for teenagers on the brink of learning to drive. As a teen, summertime may conjure images of the car top down, hair blowing in the wind, and singing with the car radio blasting. As a parent of said young driver, the images that come to mind may not be quite as pleasant as you picture your teenage child barreling down the street in a dangerous piece of machinery. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that August is the most dangerous month and Saturday the most dangerous day for auto accidents.  

Luckily, summer driver’s education training is just around the corner to put your mind at ease and make sure that your teenager is as prepared and safe as possible.

If you are wondering what to expect from driver’s training, look no further.

Familiarize Yourself with the Basics

In Texas, anyone under the age of 18 must complete a driver’s education course and submit the certificate of completion to the Driver License Office prior to taking a driver license test. Teenagers as young as 14 years old are permitted to take the classroom portion of the course; however, they must be at least 15 years old to apply for a learner’s permit.

Three Different Options for Driver’s Education

Of the three types of driver’s education programs available, you should choose one that best suits your needs:

1. Licensed driver training school – These are generally private enterprises, and the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) regulates them. TDPS has information available on its website to find one that is currently licensed.
2. Driver education course taught in a public school setting – This is the typical program that you picture when you think of driver’s education. Public schools, colleges, or universities in your area may offer a course. The Texas Department of Public Safety has a list of current schools with an approved program.
3. Parent-taught driver education (PTDE) – For the parents not faint of heart, there is the option to teach your child on your own. However, the Texas Department of Public Safety also regulates this course. Parents or legal guardians who are interested in taking this route should call TDPS at 1-800-803-9202 to find out more information.

Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Program

After completing the driver education course (but prior to taking the driving skills examination), your teen driver will have to participate in the ITTD program, which is separate from the driver training course. ITTD is a 2-hour video broken into 8 modules that focus on the importance of not driving while distracted. It is offered online and free of charge through the Department of Public Safety. It must be taken within 90 days of the driving skills examination, and a certificate of completion is required at the time of the test.

All of this training may seem like a lot to you or your teenager, but Texas takes the safety and wellbeing of all its residents seriously. These programs will help your teenager not only become familiar with the rules of the road but also become a responsible driver.

Hossley & Embry: Helping Car Accident Victims

Unfortunately, even the most responsible drivers may find themselves involved in a car accident, and we have qualified and experienced attorneys at your service who can evaluate your unique situation and help you determine your best course of action. Call our offices today at (866) 522-9265 or fill out our convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We have the resources available (including charter aircraft) to travel throughout Texas and the United States on short notice to investigate your potential claim.

Reference

Elliot, H. (2009, January 21). Most dangerous times to drive. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/21/car-accident-times-forbeslife-cx_he_0121driving.html