What Is Driver Training Program?
With your driver's license in hand, you will gain a new-found freedom like never before. However, that freedom brings responsibilities, especially as you are working to get the license and become a safe, licensed driver. You will learn this during your drivers training journey, so what is driver training program? We take a look at the process for you below!
Graduated Driver License Programs
While each state is different, many states have what is called the 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.
The Second Step: Behind-The-Wheel Training
It is now time to take what you learned in the Drivers Ed course and apply it on the road! It is time to start behind-the-wheel training, which can be done with a professional instructor or your parent/guardian. This is a stressful time and many emotions can come out while learning to drive, but always remember that practice makes perfect. The more you drive, the better you will become.
With your learners permit, you will be allowed to learn how to drive with an adult licensed driver. Each state has different rules and regulations of who that adult licensed driver can be, so make sure to check your state guidelines.
The Final Step: Get Your License
Once you have met your state's requirements for behind-the-wheel driving hours, then it is time to head to your local DMV office and apply for your driver's license. This will include taking a behind-the-wheel driving exam. This is the final step and if you pass, then you will be a fully licensed driver!
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.
About the Author
Nigel Tunnacliffe is the co-Founder and CEO of Coastline Academy, the largest driving school in the country, on a mission to eradicate car crashes. An experienced founder and technology executive, Nigel and his team are shaking up the automotive industry by taking a technology-centric approach to learning and driver safety. Having served over 100,000 driving students across 500+ cities, Coastline was recently named the 6th fastest-growing education company in America by Inc. Magazine. Nigel is a frequent podcast guest and quoted driving education expert for major publications such as Yahoo!, GOBankingRates, and MSN.