This is part 1 of a 2-part series on the steps of helping your teen learn how to drive.  Next week we’ll cover apps to help your teen with the process.

In the old days, we learned how to drive in our high schools.  We took classes in a classroom and they brought in simulators for us to practice driving.  Today, things are much different. 

Although there are some high schools that still have driver’s ed, most parents need to ask around to find out how to help their teen in learning to drive.

My daughter is 15 and there is no driver’s education program at her school.  I literally had no guidance on how to begin the process.  

We live in California and I know that teens can get their provisional permit at 15 1/2, but I wasn’t clear whether my daughter could start the online classes at age 15, so she’d be ready at 15 1/2 to get her permit.  After much searching online, I found she can start her online classes now.

Today there are online classrooms or in-classroom options for teens, probably several available in your own city.  But with my daughter’s upcoming demanding school schedule, I know that online will work best (and it’s cheaper).

If your teen is interested in learning to drive or is even just a little too young, this article will help prepare your family in your teen’s learning to drive.

The Steps of Learning to Drive

There are the 5 basic steps your teen needs to take in obtaining a driver’s license.  Note, that I am based in California, so much of this information is geared towards my state. 

Nonetheless, the process is fairly similar across the United States.  I have added links to help you determine the requirements in steps for other states as well, where relevant.

1.  Know the Requirements for Your State

I found this website to be helpful, they give a description of the age requirements, fees, and the process for every state.

For California, teens need to…

1.  be at least 15 1/2 (to complete driver’s ed)
2.  finish at least 25 hours of classroom (online or in-person) classes
3.  complete 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving
4.  fulfill 50 hours of supervised driving (10 of which need to be at night)

Note:  Before purchasing driving classes or professional driving training, check to ensure the company is licensed to operate in the California Occupational License Status Information System database.

2.  Take Online or In-Person Classes

There are a number of driving schools in my city, all offering classes as well as driving instruction.  

In searching online, I found a number of classroom (online) training courses.  They range from $12 (with a coupon) all the way up to $65. 

The key is to ensure the school is approved by your state and that your teen will receive the needed certificate to receive his/her permit after successfully completing the course (see Occupational License Status link above for California).

Interestingly enough, I found a bunch of driving school “deals” on Groupon.  After doing more research as well as viewing the companies offered through Groupon, I chose Drivers Ed Direct for my daughter, using the Groupon I purchased for $12. This is a fraction of the $39 sale price Drivers Direct is running on their website (which is even 50% of their normal price). 

I chose Drivers Ed Direct because of their promise of interactive and stimulating flash lessons, no timers (teens can go at their own pace), and their free Ph.DMV app, a fun way to remember driving facts.  They provide online drivers ed for California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

This company and many other online companies offer past DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) tests and made-up questions to prepare your teen for the DMV written test.  There are also apps to prepare students (we will discuss these next week) and students can often take past tests at their state’s DMV website.  Here are some for California.

After completing 25+ hours of training and passing their tests, your online training provider will mail your teen a  certificate (form DL-400C) to prove that s/he completed the required hours of instruction.

Going to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)

For most DMV’s in California, you are required to schedule an appointment ahead of time for permit testing.   Sometimes these appointments are booked up to two months in advance, so if you don’t want to wait that long, schedule the appointment while you’re still finishing up the supervised driving lessons.

Bring with you to the DMV appointment (specifically for California):

1.  Your teen’s certificate of completion of classroom/online hours completed  (form DL-400C) 
2.  Payment for $35, which covers a total of 3 exams (for a 12 month period) as well as both the provisional permit and the provisional license
3.  A completed Driver License and Identification Card Application confirmation number email (a parent can sign it electronically)
4.  Proof of your teen’s…
   1. Identity (birth certificate, passport, etc.)
   2. Social security number
   3. Residency in California

Important: Be sure to apply for the REAL ID permit.  When your teen gets his/her license, this REAL ID license will be required (or a passport) to travel on ALL federally regulated commercial airplanes, beginning October 1, 2020.  For California residents, see this document for supporting documentation for proving the items above.

Your student is now ready to go to the DMV to take a written exam.  The written exam consists of 46 questions about the rules of the road and state laws stemming from the state DMV Handbook, like this online one from the California DMV.

In California, your teen must get at least 37 questions correct to pass.  S/he can take the test up to 3 times to try to pass.  If s/he fails all three times, s/he must wait 7 days before trying again.

If your teen passes both the written and vision tests, s/he will be given a provisional permit.  Yay! for teens and Yikes! for parents!

3.  Begin In-Car Driving Lessons

Learning to drive is a big step!

Some states allow for parents to handle all of the driving lessons.  Other states, like California, require certified drivers to conduct the first lessons.  In fact, parents are not allowed to drive with their provisional permit-toting teen until their first two hours with a certified instructor are complete.

Not sure you’re ready for your teen’s learning to drive?  Read this tips to get prepared and this Parent-Teen Training Guide from the DMV.

Finding a Driving School

My daughter is not ready for this step yet, but I started searching my local community to find what driving schools we have near us and how they stack up against each other. 

Ways to find out which driving school is the best fit…

1.  Look online on Yelp to see how people rated driving schools near you
2.  Search for the driving schools on the Better Business Bureau website for their grade and complaints
3.  Check Facebook.  If your city has a community Group page, search for “teen driving school” to see what other people had to say.  You can be even more specific and search for a particular driving school
4.   Ask other parents you know whose children have had driving lessons already – do this after doing some research so their opinions will be more relevant

After you settle on a driving school you are interested, make sure they are a good fit.  

Ask the Driving School…

• Are they licensed by the state?
• Are their driving instructors fully licensed?
• Can they pick up and drop your teen off at your house?
• Do they have a lesson plan they follow for each driving session?
• Is their training one-on-one?
• What guidance can they give you during supervised driving at home and how to track the 50 required hours (for California)?
• What kind of cars do they use and do they have dual brakes?
• Will they be teaching with both automatic and manual cars?
• How will they communicate your teen’s progress to you?

In California, teens need to complete 6 hours of professional driving.  Once your student completes his/her time with the driving school, you will receive a DMV Certificate of Completion of Driver Education (form OL 238) paper. This is needed before your teen can take their DMV driving test.

BEFORE taking your teen to get his/her provisional permit, we recommend that you have your teen sign a Parent/Teen Driving Contract first, as s/he will most likely be driving a car you are providing.

4.  Take the Behind-the-Wheel Test at the DMV

You will need to book an appointment to take a DMV Behind-the-Wheel test and obtain a provisional license from your state’s DMV.  

Ensure your teen has completed these steps:

• Is at least 16 years old
• Has had a permit for at least 6 months
• Has taken and completed drivers education (classroom/online/mobile app)
• Completed 6 hours of driving training with a professional
• Completed 40 daytime and 10 hours of nighttime training with an adult, 25 years or older

At the Behind-the-Wheel DMV appointment, your teen should bring …

1.   his/her learner’s permit
2.   proof of vehicle registration and insurance (for the car s/he’s taking the test in)
3.   you, your spouse, or his/her guardian

Your son/daughter will be tested on the road and for things within the car.  If s/he does not pass, s/he will need to wait 2 weeks to retest and will need to pay $7 for each retest.  S/he will have up to 3 times to try to pass the Behind-the-Wheel test.

Once your teen passes, s/he can get a provisional permit by following the next steps below.

5.  Getting A Provisional License

Now that your teen has successfully completed the Behind-the-Wheel test, you can submit any necessary documentation while you’re at the DMV to receive a provisional license.

You will need these documents:

1.  Newly acquired provisional permit
2.  Behind-the-Wheel driving log, signed by parent/guardian
3. Professional driver’s training course completion proof (form OL 238) 
4.  Receipt showing your teen passed the Behind-the-Wheel test

After taking a picture, your teen will receive a California provisional license.  Your teen can now drive by themselves.  This license is valid for 90 days until s/he receives their new photo license in the mail.   

But there are some restrictions until age 18:

1. No driving between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am
2. No passengers under 20 years old can be in the car unless a licensed driver over 25 is also present 
3.  No electronic communication devices can be used while driving – even if used in the hands-free mode for talking or texting

Upon turning 18 years old, these restrictions no longer apply.

A Note about Drinking Under the Influence (DUI)

Teenagers are notorious for making bad decisions at times.  Their brains aren’t fully developed.  Ensure your teen feels safe to call you for a ride instead of driving under the influence.  Let him/her know that you will pick them up and get them home safely.  This could avoid a deadly accident.

What Can Happen with a DUI Conviction:

• 96 Hours to 6 Months Behind Bars
• $390 to $1000 in Fines
• 6-Month License Suspension
• Required DUI Classes
• Ignition Interlock Device
• Will need to disclose on college applications

Drinking and driving is never a good idea, whether your teen is driving or someone else is driving them.