Where To Take Driving Lessons

Taking driving lessons can be exciting and intimidating. When you are not sure where to turn, make sure you check out this comprehensive guide. 

You will learn what driving lessons entail, when to take driving lessons, the costs of driving lessons, and where you can take driving lessons. One of the most exciting days in a young adult’s life is being able to obtain their first driver's license. Likewise, maintaining or advancing driver's licenses is a proud accomplishment for many adults. Before taking a driving test, it is important to take driving lessons so that you can ace the exam and obtain your license. Naturally, you may wonder what driving lessons entail, when you should take driving lessons, the costs of driving lessons, and where you can take driving lessons. 

What Are Driving Lessons? 

Driving lessons, also known as driver’s education courses, help you learn how to physically drive, abide by road rules, and handle common driving scenarios. In most states, you will need to take and successfully pass a written exam before being able to take physical driving lessons. You need to pass a vision test and obtain a learner's permit to take driving courses. After successfully enrolling in a driving course, you are assigned an instructor who will offer you different driving classes, over a period of time. In general, it takes about 10-20 hours of lessons and 60 hours of practice to learn how to drive. It may take you more or less the same time, depending on your comfort level with driving and how quickly you apply practical knowledge. 

When Should You Take Driving Lessons?

When thinking of driving lessons, first-time drivers may come to mind. After all, they need to learn how to drive and pass an exam to obtain their driver's license. However, there are also many other situations where someone may need to take drivers education courses:

• Refresher Courses: Many individuals stop driving for various reasons, for a certain amount of time. A few of the most common reasons include suffering injuries, having an accident, or moving to an area where they did not need a vehicle. In these cases, they may benefit from taking a refresher course to feel comfortable with driving again. 

• Safety Courses: Some people have trouble driving in certain scenarios. They may wish to take a defensive driving course to reduce the chances of a vehicle collision and improve safe driving. They may also wish to take a driving course to learn how to drive safely in dangerous weather conditions or on certain types of terrain, especially if they have recently moved. 

• Court-Appointed Courses: If individuals have driving violations or had a car accident, the court may order them to take driving lessons. They may specifically suggest taking a defensive driving course.

• Employee Courses: Employers may require staff who drive to take specific courses. 

• International Visitors and Immigrants People who arrive in the United States from another country or immigrants may wish to take driving courses. Driving dynamics (such as driving on the other side of the car) or driving laws may be different. 

• Advanced Licenses: Although people may have a license to drive a standard motor vehicle, they must obtain different licenses to drive other types of vehicles such as motorcycles or trucks. Driving lessons can help them to drive other classes of vehicles and obtain special licenses

What Are the Costs of Driving Lessons?

Driver’s education course costs vary depending on your state and region, your driving school and instructor, and how many lessons you would like. You may also pay more if you are learning to drive a more advanced motor vehicle, such as a truck or bus. 

In general, most driving schools charge their students per lesson. On average, a lesson may cost between $50 and $200. You can also opt for a package of lessons, allowing you to learn how to drive within a certain number of lessons in a progressive manner. The packages typically come with 10 lessons, costing between $500 and $2000. These packages may only contain physical driving lessons or may alternate between theory coursework and driving. Some driving schools also charge by the hour, rather than by the lesson. On average, instructors charge between $50 and $100 per hour. 

You may reduce your total costs by taking a minimal number of lessons but practicing with a trusted driver. In this way, you can learn how to drive from a professional yet spend the majority of your time working with a family member or a friend. It is important that you do not evaluate a driving school based on the price alone, as many driving companies can reduce their costs by employing unqualified teachers. They may be excellent drivers but lack the expertise to teach a student, or they may not all the driving laws and rules. When you are choosing a driving school, be certain to verify their qualifications, read their reviews and ratings, and make sure you feel comfortable with your instructor. 

Where Can You Take Driving Lessons?

If you are taking driving lessons for the first time, you may not know where to find a reputable driving school. One of the best ways to find an excellent driving school is to contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV, to ask if they recommend any particular driving schools in your area. You may also contact your local high schools, as many work with and allow driving lessons after school, starting from their premises. 

It is important to look at what a driving school intends to teach during its courses. First, make sure they teach the type of courses you wish to take. Many schools offer first-time driver courses, but others do not provide more advanced lessons or safety courses. Second, check to see if it is recognized by an organization such as the National Safety Council. In this way, you can make sure you will be learning relevant driving knowledge and applicable skills. 

Another way to find a driving school or driving lessons is to ask your local car dealerships. However, you may receive a general list of local driving schools. If you decide to pursue this route, be sure to fully vet the driving school before applying for their courses. You may ask if their instructors are qualified, what their programs contain, and how they evaluate their students.