Texas parents: Driver's Ed or through school or parent taught

[v.t.]

Any advice? Our twins are turning 15 and getting ready for driver's ed. For driver's ed our school charges $250, going through the DMV it looks like it will be around $100. Our insurance said they will honor driver's ed or parent taught for a discount on insurance. Does anyone have experience with this? Any advice would be appreciated!

TIA

 

[kv777]

I would recommend going through Driver's Ed as opposed to parent taught. Both my kids did the Driver's Ed as opposed to the parent taught. Although it is more expensive, I think my kids learned much more from hearing about the dangers of driving from someone other than me. Also, I think it is easier to just get it all done by going to Driver's Ed as opposed to us trying to find the time to fit it in. (We didn't have the school option but I'm sure that would work just as well.) Good luck! This is a scary and exciting time!

 

[dawnhaze]

My dad tried to teach me to drive and we barely spoke for a year afterwards. I'd send them to a class, whether it was at school or the DMV.

 

[JessM]

I took driver's ed thru a class. I listened A LOT more than if my parent's had taught me.

I don't care who the kid is at that age teenagers know way more than their parents, or at least they think they do

I'd pay for a class to avoid all the fights that will inevitability come with trying to teach your teens how to drive. Your house will be a lot more peaceful too if you aren't trying to teach them.

 

[Iowajes]

In Texas I did private driver's ed (it was not through the DMV though) and thought it was a very good choice. I still had to practice with my parents, but I am sure it saved A LOT of yelling/fighting/stress etc.

My husband did driver's ed through school and he would not recommend for one reason: it lowered his GPA. He had a perfect grade in the class, but he was an honors student and it was not available as an honors class. The 100 in a 'regular' class cost him class ranking points. Not to mention it takes the place of an elective, and he could have taken something that would have looked better on his college applications. (In the end, it didn't really effect him, he went to a great college, but I think the ranking bothered him.) This would obviously depend on what kind of students your kids are if this effects them.

 

[cvjw]

Have a professional teach your child! It has been my experience that I can tell my teen something and they just roll their eyes at me. If a stranger tells them the same thing, they actually listen

We had DS take his driver's ed class thru our local county. I would recommend picking a course that comes with actual driving time with a driving instructor. That was great for our DS - driving with someone other than a parent, who could give him constructive advice that he actually took to heart.

 

[Earstou]

Our kids did the driver training course at school and we also taught them how to drive, so both!
We got them out on the road before classes started, so they wouldn't be embarassed (about having no skills) when they started classes in front of their peers. Really, some of those kids weren't even able to drive the car out of the school parking lot, and all the other kids saw this and talked about it. Plus, since they already knew they could handle a car, they were less stressed and could pay better attention to the instructor.
Also, when the class ended, we continued driving lessons to sharpen their skills, plus to get them out driving in all kinds of conditions, rain, snow, night-time driving, and night-time driving with bad weather.

We only got a discount on insurance if they took a class. Parents teaching them got us no discount.

 

[Iowajes]

so they wouldn't be embarassed (about having no skills) when they started classes in front of their peers. Really, some of those kids weren't even able to drive the car out of the school parking lot, and all the other kids saw this and talked about it.

This makes me even more glad I did private drivers ed- I knew no one in the class, so what people thought of me was a non-issue. I was never one of the people who was so unsafe that I was confined to the parking lot, but I cried the first time they made me go over 45 I was so scared... it took me many times out before I was allowed to try entering the freeway!

 

[Debbie7452]

I've done it both ways and everyone in the family(including the kids) agrees that private taught is much better. Ask about a sibling discount. You might save a little. I got 10% off.

 

[mcraige]

I did parent-taught driver's ed for DD, and it worked out fine. She was in a lot of AP/Pre-AP classes, and we were able to schedule it around her classwork. Today, at 19, she is a great, very conservative driver. She always obeys the speed limit, signals for all turns and lane changes, and won't even touch her phone when driving (even tho her car has hands-free Bluetooth integration). Really, I guess it just depends on the child.

 

[tiggerluver12]

Our eldest DD did parent taught. She is a very careful driver. Our second DD did school taught and is not as careful, but has not had any issues/wrecks, etc. We are now in the process of parent teaching our DS. He is much like his oldest sister. VERY cautious - almost to the point of not wanting to drive. Like a previous poster said, it all depends up on the child.

 

[Gina]

I did the parent-taught course, one of the DPS-approved courses, with my DS 2+ years ago for a number of reasons, and it worked out great. One, I know my son, and I know our relationship -- I felt comfortable that he wouldn't blow off anything I said, and he knew I wouldn't yell at him or stress him out. Two, between marching band and other extracurricular stuff, it would have been extremely hard to adhere to someone else's driving course schedule. It isn't offered at school, and he wouldn't have wanted to give up his elective (and screw up his rank with a non-AP course) for it.

And lastly, my own driving record is spotless -- and that was after growing up with insane Houston drivers. I felt more comfortable teaching DS myself than letting anyone else do it.

As others have said, you have to know your kid and yourself. My best friend is my son's best friend's mom -- and they nearly strangled each other in the learn-to-drive process.

 

[Sadie22]

Our kids did the driver training course at school and we also taught them how to drive, so both!
We got them out on the road before classes started, so they wouldn't be embarassed (about having no skills) when they started classes in front of their peers. Really, some of those kids weren't even able to drive the car out of the school parking lot, and all the other kids saw this and talked about it. Plus, since they already knew they could handle a car, they were less stressed and could pay better attention to the instructor.
Also, when the class ended, we continued driving lessons to sharpen their skills, plus to get them out driving in all kinds of conditions, rain, snow, night-time driving, and night-time driving with bad weather.

We only got a discount on insurance if they took a class. Parents teaching them got us no discount.

Both elements are so important. It's also important to realize that just because a young person can pass a test or two and the state will issue them a driver's license, that does not know that teen is ready to drive alone in all situations or with siblings or friends in the car. Young drivers need lots of experience driving, but with an experienced driver in the car with them, and discussions about various situations. That being said, not every parent has the temperament to teach every child.

 

[way2tyred]

We have two drivers. One took drivers ed in school (in OK) and one is in the process of doing parent taught in Texas. BUT burg of them were driving for years before they were old enough and the next 3 age wise can drive as well. We live on and have several friends that have ranches and it is normal too drive early. So I would call them all parent taught.

For our family, I can't imagine paying so much for something we can teach them. But then again, having kids that won't listen to me is not an issue for us. Those kids wouldn't even be close to driving as we'd have much bigger issues lol.

 

[jen73]

our daughter took drivers ed at Texas Driving School during the winter break right after she turned 15. A few months before that, I took her practice driving, so as another mom said, she could at least know the basics. And forget it...she was petrified everytime I took her out...lol I took our (back then) 9 year old twins and I was texting as she was driving and she would freak out because I wasnt watching the road or they were too loud...lol I told her this is what is real. She definitely calmed down at the driving school..lol I know also, she had to take 10? daytime hours and 10? nighttime hours that I had to sign off before she could take her driving test at 16

 

[Boston Tea Party]

We did Driver's Ed in a Box. It came with lots of yelling, long periods of surly-ness and an unknown bonus received two years later - a ticket for 96 in a 75.

Good luck with whatever you decide...

 

[SGMCO]

I live in Colorado and there are no Driver Ed Courses in the HS. The Business Driver Ed Courses Cost $400. So we are teaching our DS.

 

[v.t.]

Thanks for all the opinions and experiences. If we go through the school, it does not count as a class or go towards grade point, they meet at 6:45 am, which I am not excited about. The boys already know how to drive, like way2tyred's. They can pull a trailer as well, (unless the air conditioner goes out while picking up hay in the summer) got to love living on a farm.

Boston, my plan for speeding is the buddy system. No matter which kid is driving, if they are both in the car they both are grounded. Hopefully they will police each other.

Thanks again!

 

[theelfqueen]

I taught my Oldest.

Came across this recently on a blog about road safety...

"At times it may not seem like it, but the reality is that parents have a great influence over their teen’s behavior, specifically their teen’s driving behavior. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia released a study in 2012 showing that when parents are highly involved in teaching teens to drive, teens are 50% less likely to crash, 71% less likely to drive intoxicated, 2x more likely to wear seat belts, and 30% less likely to use a cell phone. Even still, we know it can be terrifying to sit in the passenger seat with a teen who is driving for the first time, even the most mature teen."
From:
http://fixthetoaster.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/a-guest-post-by-safe-roads-alliance/
(the post is mostly apparently an ad for a driving log app,but the quoted study is interesting )

 

[MillauFr]

None of the high schools in our area teach drivers ed. You have to sign up with a private company. It cost us about $600. Then you have to practice 50 hours with your son/daughter. Driving around here is a nightmare and my daughter seems to be in no rush to get her 50 hours of practice even though she took the class about a year ago.