in driver seat

Driver's Education

Driver's education or driver's ed is a class or program offered by independent agencies and most high schools in the United States. However, the number of high schools offering driver's education courses are steadily decreasing. This is mostly a result of less education funding, and booming fuel prices. In driver's education students learn how to safely operate a car and learn traffic code. During driver's education courses, a dual-controlled car, usually meaning a car with brake pedals on both sides, is used. Students usually take driver's education to supplement the knowledge from mostly government-printed driving handbooks so that they will be prepared to test for their learner's permit or driver's license. Some car insurance agencies also offer discounts to those students who have completed a driver's education program.

In some U.S. states, students taking driver's education have the opportunity to receive a waiver for successful course completion, which allows them to receive a learner's permit or driver's license without taking some of the tests required of those who didn't take a driver's education course. Successful completion of a driver education course is required by many state agencies before young drivers receive their driver license or learner's permit. Driver's education courses are now also offered through online education websites. Such websites offer an alternative to classroom courses, as some schools do not offer driver education due to decreased budgets, and rising fuel prices. One should check with one's department of motor vehicles, or the local equivalent. Some internet courses are not state-approved programs.

On Track

Some car clubs, such as the Porsche Club of America and PBOC Motorsports Club, conduct Driver's Education programs focused on how to handle an automobile under high-speed driving conditions, rather than on learning the rules of the road. There are peer reviewed studies that report a higher incident of car crashes after drivers take high speed driving courses. These programs take place at road racing courses and include both classroom instruction and driving. Students drive with an experienced instructor until they are "signed off". At this point they can continue practicing and improving their skills without an instructor. DE programs involve multiple cars together on a racetrack, but they are not considered racing because they are not timed, winners are not declared, and drivers must wait to pass until the driver being passed gives permission with a hand signal. These programs require approved, up-to-date racing helmets and rollover protection for convertibles. Some also require long-sleeved shirts and long pants for fire safety. However, they do not require full rollcages, five- or six-point seat belts, fire extinguishers, fire-resistant racing suits, or other safety features seen in racing and more. There are many other clubs in America devoted to help young drivers succeed. These various organizations can be found sometimes just around your corner. If you are a struggling young driver, do not hesitate to find help; sometimes, help could be easier to find than you think.