DRIVER EDUCATION FOR TEENAGERS
. . . the most important classroom of their lives
None of the education received by a teenager will be more important than learning to drive. The knowledge and skills learned in a driver education class will be used day in and day out for the rest of their lives. It may possibly be the most important classroom of their lives. Poor driver education training can impact a teenager immensely, so second to deciding if it’s time for a teen to drive is deciding which driving school to choose.
ABC Driving School offers an excellent driver education program for teenagers that surpasses the curriculum requirements of the Texas Education Agency. The up to date information and state of the art training provided throughout the course will provide the essential skills needed for the complex task of driving in today’s congested traffic.
THE COURSE
The educational requirement for a driver education course in Texas is 32 hours of classroom theory instruction, 14 hours of in-car training with a licensed instructor, and 30 hours* of behind-the-wheel practice with a qualified adult. (*See information regarding 30 hours behind-the-wheel practice below.)
At ABC Driving School, our classroom phase consists of 16, two-hour sessions and the in-car phase is 7, two-hour driving lessons. At this time classes are only available during the summer vacation. Call our school for details and schedules at (512) 477-4500.
The in-car training phase begins once the student obtains a Texas Instruction Permit. Driving lessons are scheduled by appointment only. Our staff works with each student to find the most convenient driving appointment times to meet their busy schedule.
Students must attend all class days and schedule driving lessons until both phases of training at the school are completed. Completion time for the entire course varies according to the student’s availability for school training and completion of the additional driving practice required with an adult [see * above]. Average completion time is 6 weeks.
Age Requirements and Restrictions
Participants should be 15 to 17 years of age. A teenager 14 years of age may enter and start the program; however, that student may not receive an instruction permit or schedule in-car driving lessons until they turn 15 years of age.
Texas Instruction Permit
To qualify for an Instruction Permit, students must complete the initial 3 days of class instruction which are dedicated to mastering Texas traffic laws and highway sign topics. Students are then tested and issued a state certificate to present to their local Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Office when applying for their instruction permit. (See other required documents.)
Instruction Permit Testing & Notary Public Service
ABC Driving School provides Texas DPS knowledge exams and vision testing to each student in-house. Students completing this process are exempted from having to take these exams at the Driver License Office. All state-required driver license forms are provided by our school including free notarization of signatures on the original driver license application. This FREE service relieves the parent/guardian from having to be present when their teenager applies for their instruction permit.
In-Car Training with a Licensed Instructor
The in-car training is divided into 7 hours of actual behind-the-wheel instruction and 7 hours of observation. (Observation lessons are where students observe other teenage students being trained.) The driving phase is taught separately from the classroom; during the week and on weekends.
Behind-The-Wheel Practice with a Qualified Adult (effective May 1, 2010)
In an effort to reduce the number of teen crashes and to save lives in Texas, the 81st Texas Legislature enacted the Less Tears More Years Act, which requires new drivers to have more driving experience prior to obtaining a license. Under this act, young drivers must receive an additional 20 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. These hours are required to be certified by a parent or guardian before a teenager may receive a Provisional Driver License and operate a vehicle alone. The additional hours must include at least 10 hours that take place at nighttime.
Please click the Texas Education Agency links to view and print the required forms. The Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Log must be used to document the 30 hours. TheBehind-the-Wheel Instruction Guide will provide information to help make practice drives with your teen a good experience for both of you.
Adult “coaches” are encouraged and welcome to ride along during their teen’s driving lessons with a licensed instructor to pick up additional tips and information that will assist them with their practice sessions. Please feel free to discuss any problem issues you may encounter with our professional staff. In addition, our staff can assist in completing the additional practice hours required for a nominal fee.
Upon Completion
Graduates are provided a second state certificate acknowledging completion of the state requirements for driver education for presentation to the DPS Driver License Office, subject to completion of all other state graduated driver license program conditions. Graduates are also provided a certificate qualifying them for automobile insurance discounts. (Please check with your individual insurance carrier for conditions and restrictions.)
