Home schooled teens can get a home school driver education, the same as their public school counterparts. A home school driver education course can be taught in several ways:
- The parent can teach the driver education
- Enroll in a driver education class from a local driving school
- Take a driver education course online and then drive with an older licensed driver to gain experience
Option 1: Parents teaching their child
The most popular option is the parent teaching the driver education course. Very little is needed if you are teaching your own child to drive, other than a lot of patience. Depending on which state you live in, the first step is to obtain the necessary paperwork and study booklet on state driving laws from your local Department of Motor Vehicles.
The next step is to help the student study the driving laws to prepare for their permit exam. The permit exam usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and is usually given at various times at the Department of Motor Vehicles. There is also a fee associated with the exam. Assuming that the student passes the permit exam, they will be given their drivers permit and they will then be allowed to drive with a licensed driver until they are ready to take the state drivers license test.
Option 2: Drivers School
A driver's school is another popular option if a parent doesn't feel comfortable teaching their child how to drive. Many parents don't have the patience to teach a teen to drive, nor do they want to take the chance that their car will be totaled.
A driver's school will charge a certain amount per hour, or they will charge for a course that includes a certain amount of driving time within a specified period of time. Students are required to obtain a driver's permit before they can start driving though. The price varies, depending on location and demand for this type of service. Expect to pay several hundred dollars, which includes study materials, drive time and insurance for the student driver.
Option 3: Online Driver Education Course
A few states are beginning to offer online driver education courses. These can be a great way to take a home school driver education course as an elective. The course is usually offered through the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. The course gives students an opportunity to learn their state's driving laws in an online format, which is usually given in a true/false and multiple-choice format. As long as the student completes all of the modules satisfactorily, they will be given credit for the course. Many insurance companies will reduce a parent's auto insurance premium if a teen student successfully completes the online course.
A teen student will still need to have an experienced licensed driver help them learn to drive a motor vehicle. This can be a parent or a trusted older friend of the family. The student will also need to take the state's driving test to obtain their license.
Several sites that offer more information on online drivers education courses include the following:
No matter which option the family chooses, there is a way to successfully complete a home school driver education course. It all depends on the needs of each individual family. A home school driver education course enables the student to achieve one of the rights of passage, while still receiving an education at home.
