For you under-18ers: Before you even think of eyeing that shiny new roadster, you're going to have to take drivers ed classes. (If you're past 18, you aren't required by law to take one, but it's still a good idea.) With fewer and fewer high schools offering drivers education courses as part of their curriculum, you may be among the many road-hopeful teenagers who now have to look elsewhere.
When it comes to finding a good driving school, cost and distance are important factors to consider - who wants to pay an expensive tuition on top of round-trip gas? But drivers ed classes are essential to your future driving confidence and safety, so they're worth a bit of an investment. Since most states require between 24-30 hours of classroom training plus 6 of actual driving instruction, you'll want to make sure to enroll in the best possible school for your money and time. So keep these four steps in mind when looking for the best driving school:
Step One: Make A List
First, find out what schools are nearby. Look through the yellow pages, search online, and ask friends for their recommendations. As soon as you've got a couple of places to check out, it's time to start narrowing down the list.
Step Two: Weed 'Em Out
Make sure the schools on your list are accredited by your state's DMV: you can find this out by calling them or checking online. Ask about prices and lesson packages too. If everything's reasonable and the place seems credible, schedule a visit. You're going to be spending more than a couple of hours in the school you choose, so it's best to make sure it's one that you're comfortable in and actually like.
Step Three: Evaluation Time!
Once there, survey the school: do you feel at ease there? Do they seem organized, helpful? The best school will have decent sized classes, up-to-date classrooms & student cars, and driving simulators for realistic, safe practice. The instructors should be knowledgeable and give each student plenty of one-on-one time. Ask about the class curriculum; it should teach useful driving skills like defensive driving and car maintenance, not just basics out of the DMV manual. If a school doesn't measure up, keep it moving until you've found a winner.
Step Four: Negotiation
Now you may have found the perfect school, but what if tuition is a little too high? Try asking if they can offer you a "new driver" discount or an installment plan to break up the cost. Many driving schools are happy to do this, so there's no harm in asking. Keeping customers happy is a good school's first priority, so they shouldn't worry about bending just a little!
So that's all! Yes, of course choosing a random driving school in the phone book is much simpler and faster than following these steps, but finding the right one is definitely worth your time. Drivers ed will teach you the skills and maneuvers that will benefit you for as long as you drive, and that knowledge may even help save your life one day. Plus, wouldn't you rather enroll at a driving school that actually makes the experience fun, interactive, and useful?
About the Author:
Need a little help getting your drivers license? Go to http://www.driversed-game.com, where you can play some virtual drivers ed games and read all our secrets to acing the drivers test.
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