Do You Need Drivers Training To Get Your Permit?

When kids hit those teen years, most of them start thinking about getting their driver's license and gaining that freedom of the road. However, there are responsibilities that come from that freedom. There are many steps and requirements when you are working to get your license and become a safe, licensed driver. One of the first steps is getting your learners permit, but do you need drivers training to get your permit? We address that question today!

Graduated Driver License Programs

One thing to keep in mind is that every state is different with their laws and regulations. However, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have a three-stage Graduated Drivers License (GDL) process. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) developed this process, which requires new drivers to complete a three-step process:

• Learners Permit
• Intermediate Permit
• Drivers License

The First Step: Drivers Education

For most states, the first step in the drivers training process is obtaining your learners permit, which will help you learn the rules of the road. To get your permit, new drivers will take a formal drivers ed course. There are many options for this course, which includes taking it at your high school or taking an online drivers ed course, which Coastline Academy offers.

To start the Drivers Ed process, most states require that you are at least 15 years of age. Check your state requirements to see if you are old enough. If you are, then you are ready to start your driver's license process, which includes:

• Take a drivers education course
• Pass the learners permit exam
• Begin behind-the-wheel training
• Apply for your drivers license

Drivers Ed was put in place to teach you everything from your state driving laws to automobile basics and life-saving defensive driving maneuvers. Most states allow you to fulfill this requirement with an online course.

Do You Need Drivers Training To Get Your Permit?

This question is tricky, as it does depend on your state laws. However, most states do require new drivers under 18 to take a Driver's Ed course before obtaining their permit, like in Ohio. This course usually consists of in-class (or online) instruction and then behind-the-wheel training, which can be done with parents/guardians or a professional driving instructor, depending on your state's rules.

How Many Hours For Drivers Training?

The number of hours required for drivers training is based on what your state mandates. For the Driver's Ed course, most states are around 20-30 hours of instruction before the permit is issued. From there, each state is different in the number of hours required for driving lessons and/or driving practice. In Maryland, they require a minimum of 66 hours.

How Old To Start Drivers Training?

Teenagers want to get started on their driver's license journey as soon as possible and we get it. For most states, that time can start when the teenager turns 15. However, it could be a little earlier or later, based on the state you live in. Some states allow you to get started with things at 14 1/2 years old and others it is 15 years and 9 months old.

Before getting started on the driver's training journey, it is best to check with your state's licensing division to find out their specific rules and regulations. You can find a link to each state's licensing division by clicking here!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.