Parent-Taught Drivers Ed: A Flexible and Effective Way to Teach Your Teen to Drive
Introduction: The Role of Parent-Taught Drivers Ed
Teaching your teen to drive is a significant milestone that comes with both excitement and responsibility. Many parents prefer a parent-taught drivers ed program because it allows them to personally guide their teen’s learning experience while ensuring they develop safe driving habits.
With a structured approach, parent-taught drivers ed offers flexibility, hands-on experience, and a supportive learning environment that can help teens become confident drivers. At Get Drivers Ed, we provide a state-approved parent-taught drivers ed course that makes the process easy, efficient, and effective.
If you're considering teaching your teen how to drive, here’s everything you need to know about parent-taught drivers ed, its benefits, and how to get started.
What Is Parent-Taught Drivers Ed?
1. Understanding the Parent-Taught Drivers Ed Program
A parent-taught drivers ed program allows a parent or legal guardian to take the role of a driving instructor, guiding their teen through both the classroom and behind-the-wheel training. Instead of attending a traditional driving school, teens complete their coursework at home and receive hands-on instruction from a trusted adult.
This program is a great option for families who want to be directly involved in their teen’s driving education while providing a safe and supportive environment for learning.
2. Who Can Teach Parent-Taught Drivers Ed?
Most states have specific eligibility requirements for parents who want to teach their teen to drive. While regulations vary, common requirements include:
Being the teen’s legal parent or guardian
Holding a valid driver’s license
Having a clean driving record (no recent suspensions, DUIs, or serious traffic violations)
Before enrolling in parent-taught drivers ed, it's important to check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) guidelines to ensure you meet the requirements.
Benefits of Parent-Taught Drivers Ed
1. More Personalized and Flexible Learning
One of the biggest advantages of parent-taught drivers ed is the personalized learning experience. Unlike traditional driving schools with fixed schedules, a parent-taught program allows teens to learn at their own pace. Parents can adjust lessons based on their teen’s progress, spending more time on challenging areas like:
Parallel parking
Navigating highways
Defensive driving techniques
At Get Drivers Ed, our online parent-taught drivers ed course provides structured lessons that guide parents step-by-step through the teaching process.
2. A Comfortable Learning Environment
Some teens may feel nervous or overwhelmed when learning from a professional instructor. Parent-taught drivers ed allows them to learn in a familiar and supportive environment, making them feel more comfortable behind the wheel.
By learning from a parent or guardian, teens can ask questions freely and practice driving without the added pressure of a formal classroom setting.
3. More Hands-On Driving Experience
A parent-taught drivers ed program ensures that teens receive ample behind-the-wheel training. Parents can provide real-world driving experiences, allowing their teen to practice in:
City and rural roads
Highway and interstate driving
Different weather conditions
Nighttime and heavy traffic scenarios
This varied driving experience helps teens become well-rounded drivers, better preparing them for real-life road situations.
4. Cost-Effective Alternative to Driving Schools
Professional driving schools can be expensive, often charging hundreds of dollars for classroom instruction and in-car lessons. Parent-taught drivers ed is a more affordable alternative, as it eliminates the need for costly driving school fees.
By choosing Get Drivers Ed, parents can access state-approved online courses at a fraction of the cost while still providing high-quality education.
5. Helps Build Stronger Parent-Teen Relationships
Teaching your teen to drive is a valuable bonding experience. Parent-taught drivers ed allows parents to play a hands-on role in their teen’s education, fostering trust and open communication.
By working together, parents can reinforce safe driving habits and set clear expectations about responsible behavior behind the wheel.
How to Get Started with Parent-Taught Drivers Ed
Step 1: Check Your State’s Requirements
Before enrolling in a parent-taught drivers ed program, check your state’s requirements to ensure:
Your teen meets the minimum age to start the program
You (as the instructor) are eligible to teach the course
The program meets state-specific guidelines
At Get Drivers Ed, we offer state-approved courses that align with local requirements.
Step 2: Enroll in a Parent-Taught Drivers Ed Course
Once you've confirmed eligibility, the next step is to enroll in a state-approved parent-taught drivers ed program.
At Get Drivers Ed, our online course includes:
Engaging video lessons and quizzes
Road signs and traffic law instruction
Defensive driving techniques
Tips for handling real-world driving scenarios
Step 3: Complete the Online Coursework
Teens must complete a certain number of instructional hours before obtaining a learner’s permit. The online drivers ed course covers essential topics such as:
Understanding road signs and signals
Right-of-way rules and intersections
Safe driving habits and defensive driving
The dangers of distracted and impaired driving
With Get Drivers Ed, students can study at their own pace, making it easier to retain important information.
Step 4: Start Behind-the-Wheel Training
Once the online coursework is complete, the in-car training begins. Parents must log a required number of practice hours, ensuring their teen gets hands-on experience in different driving conditions.
At Get Drivers Ed, we provide a parent-led driving guide to help structure each lesson effectively.
Step 5: Prepare for the Driving Test
After completing parent-taught drivers ed, teens must:
Pass the written permit test
Complete supervised driving hours
Schedule and take the road skills test
By following the parent-taught drivers ed curriculum at Get Drivers Ed, teens will be well-prepared for their final driving exam.
