Getting your first driver’s license is a big privilege and an even more significant responsibility.
But before you can even get your driver’s license or even your learner’s permit, you may be required to take driver’s education courses depending on your state’s law.
Drivers Education courses cover a large variety of topics including traffic codes, laws and vehicle operation, different road conditions, driver impairments, and hazardous weather conditions. They also offer in-vehicle instruction to teach you the proper way to operate a motor vehicle.
These courses are offered as an affordable and convenient way to obtain a driving education. They can show you things that your parents or other guardians and family members might forget while providing you instruction at home.
They are comprehensive and efficient and will tell you exactly what your state expects of you before taking your written and driving tests.
What Can I Gain from a Driver’s Education Course?
A new driver can gain a lot of benefits from taking a driver’s education course.
First and foremost, you will be taught the importance of safety. They will also cover any fears you may have like driving on the freeway, navigating busy streets, or what to do when the weather hinders road conditions or even when a tire on your vehicle fails.
Courses these days can also teach you basic mechanical knowledge of your car that could prove to be useful if there is ever a time that you are broken down on the side of the road. Having this mechanical knowledge will also provide you with added confidence when you get to the point of being able to drive alone.
Driver’s education courses also prepare you for the written and road portions of your license testing. You will be exposed to all the knowledge that you will need to succeed. You will always be reviewing this information and will be tested on it. This kind of instruction helps you soak in all of the information and have a better recall of these topics during your test.
How Do I Obtain My First License?
There are many steps that you have to take from thinking about driving to being able to drive on your own.
To earn a learner’s permit, you must be fifteen years old in most states. At sixteen or seventeen you can move up to an intermediate and provisional license, and when you are eighteen, you can finally get your full driver’s license minus all of the restrictions.
When you go to the DMV, you need to be able to provide proof of a completed drivers’ education course, evidence of your identity, such as a birth certificate, proof of your social security number, and your residential address.
You will be required to practice driving for a minimum of fifty hours, ten of these hours will be nighttime driving. When you have only a learner’s permit, you are only allowed to drive with another adult licensed driver. You are restricted to daytime only hours for the first three months. After the three-month period, your time will be extended to ten pm.
In the state of Florida, in addition to all of these steps, you must complete a drug and alcohol course online and be able to submit your certificate of completion. This course trains you on the dangers of driving while impaired, and you will gain a greater awareness of drugs and alcohol.
Important Points to Remember
You are sixteen and on the verge of obtaining freedom from your parents and all of the possibilities that the impending open road has in store for you. Please remember that driving is a privilege that can be taken away any time that you fail to act responsibly, or fail to follow the laws that your state has set forth.
Driving is a huge responsibility, and driving education courses are the best way to help ensure your safety. Learning driving techniques, safety procedures, Florida laws, and ways to increase your awareness and focus while driving are pivotal to your success.
In Florida, these driving education courses are mandatory. No one ever said that getting your license would be easy, so just think of this very necessary step as a means to an end.
Plus, think about it, do you want the added stress of your parents in the front seat telling you everything you are doing wrong and making you even more nervous? Nerve-wracked parents are an example of why you will find a formal driving instructor, alongside online classes, a very acceptable alternative.
The classes online are easy to follow and convenient. You are offered the opportunity to work at your own pace and go back and review any material you weren’t clear on during the first time you complete it.
While this is an exciting time in your life, it is an experience of mixed feelings for your parents. Your parents will more often than not worry about you out on the road all by yourself, worry about your newfound freedom, concerned if they raised you to be responsible enough.
Prove to everyone that you are that responsible kid they brought up. Go online and take the initiative to find your class and show your parents that you are serious about driving. Show them that you are responsible enough to take care of this paramount step with only a little assistance from them. They will have to provide their consent of course for you to take the driving classes.
The online course for Florida will teach you the basics, help you learn how to identify state-specific road signs, and teach you the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. When you are finished with the driver’s ed course, as well as the drug and alcohol course, you have the option to take the written portion of your exam online. The results will be sent directly to the FLHSMV.
Signing Up for a Driver’s Ed Course
TrafficSchoolCritics.com is a valuable resource when it comes time to sign up for your first course. Online courses are state-approved and you can have the same high-quality experience online as you would in the classroom.
Our website will point you to the best and most affordable options available, including the following:
- iDriveSafely – They offer different course options for you, wherein you are given a choice whether you want to take your permit test online (after your 15th birthday) or if you prefer taking it at the FL DHSMV.
- DriversEd – Enjoy interactive lessons that are proven to help you learn better. They have videos, 3D animations, and case studies that are incorporated in the lessons to help increase memory retention, and help you get through the course without getting bored as well.
- Aceable – If you’re from Miami-Dade County, I’d recommend taking your Driver’s Ed with Aceable. They are fairly new in the field but they offer a very modern user interface that’s been getting a lot of positive reviews from their students. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this one!
- MyImprov.com – Ever heard of Improv Comedy Club? This school was founded in partnership with them, and their course was written by professional comedy writers. This school promises that you will not only learn everything you need to know, but you’ll have fun all throughout. Definitely go check this one out!
- DriverEdToGo – Love playing games? This school has a dedicated corner for games that you can enjoy while learning about the different driving concepts. This is one of their ways of making sure that you’ll remember all the information you gained even after completing the course. However, keep in mind that this isn’t state-approved in Florida, meaning you’ll have to ask special permission from the DMV if you want to take DriverEdToGo’s course.
There you have it! Have some fun while learning how to be a safe and responsible driver!