by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 12/12/2017 at 17:07
by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 12/12/2017 at 17:07
No Tags
STARS: 0
A question for Oppo parents, and those who recently got their driver license.
My oldest son turned 15 last September, and he’s starting to ask about getting a learner’s permit. In TX, I have two options for getting him trained:
1. Driver education school. This option would cost anywhere from $300-500, and all the initial classroom and OTR training would be handled by the school. He would get his 32 hours of classroom training, plus 14 hours of driver training. After that, the parents do 30 hours of training OTR, but the training may not exceed 1 hour at a time, though this is on the honor system. This is attractive, since kids tend to listen to other adults more than their parents, and anecdotal evidence from friends is that their kids learned more in this setting. The downside is the time getting him to and from the school, and trying to schedule the OTR training. And the cost.
2. Parent-Taught Driver Education (PTDE). This option costs $20 to purchase a packet of information, then $50-100 for an online course. The course is 32 hours, and the student may not exceed 2 hours of coursework per day (the course cannot be completed in less than 16 days). After that, the parents are responsible for 30 hours of OTR training. The upside is that the cost savings is significant, but the downside is the same as above, where kids tend to learn more in a classroom setting, without parents. There is also a benefit to having a structured course taught by somebody who (supposedly) has experience—and patience—teaching teens to drive.
So, what are your thoughts, Oppo? Do any of you have experience with one or the other? Oppo parents, would you have a preference?
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
12/12/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 2
I’d do number 1. My kids don’t listen to me.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:25, STARS: 2
What?
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
12/12/2017 at 17:25, STARS: 2
Depends on your son. If you think he’d listen to you carefully and follow your instructions you might be OK with the second method. If you think he’d learn better from someone else (hey, he’s a teenager) do that.
The one thing I plan to do when this time hits me is to take the soon-to-be new driver to a u-pull junkyard. There’s something about seeing mangled and burned out cars with personal items left behind that’s sobering. Optimism bias is very real.
"Under_Score" (tomtheatum)
12/12/2017 at 17:25, STARS: 0
I got my license in 2015, so I’m a newer driver here. You have to be 15 to get a permit and 16 to get a license in Georgia.
When I did driver’s ed during the summer of 2015, I took a class at another local high school and I spent time behind the wheel. A lot of people seemed to do the driver’s ed online. Though I don’t remember most of what I learned, a class at a local school would probably be much more beneficial, so please choose option 1.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:26, STARS: 2
My stepmother taught me to drive initially in a graveyard. It’s a good place, since there are paved roads and no traffic. And the visuals are effective, too.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
12/12/2017 at 17:26, STARS: 2
Scout out the school’s curriculum. If it’s well done, spring for it. You can’t put a price on safety.
In fact, with Texas drivers surrounding him, consider signing him up for “graduate” training at a track.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
12/12/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 4
Just something about seeing a mangled car with kids toys in it. Thomas and Percy will never go home.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 0
Back in 1981 (!!) I took driver’s ed in school, along with my initial training in a Chevy Chevette. I don’t think our HS offers it, though. So doing it at his school is not an option. And yes, learner’s permit at 15, DL at 16.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:29, STARS: 1
As I was researching this and talking to a (very helpful) person at the Texas Department of Licensing, my wife called to say that she was stuck in traffic because of a wreck. So, yeah, Texas drivers.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
12/12/2017 at 17:31, STARS: 2
“Thomas and Percy will never go home.”
That just gave me the chills.
Good idea though.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
12/12/2017 at 17:34, STARS: 1
I think you have to judge your kid and what you think they’ll respond to. I probably would’ve been fine just learning from my dad, but a lot of kids would not handle that well at all. In the long run, as much money as $300-500 is, it’s really not that much money.
It actually fell to me to teach my little sister to drive. My mom, as wonderful as she was, was a terrible teacher. My dad just made sis cry.
"WRXforScience" (WRXforScience)
12/12/2017 at 17:34, STARS: 3
Find a school with a good reputation, then make sure to sign him up for the nearest http://streetsurvival.org/ . I run the SCCA’s Street Survival program in DFW, and I cannot recommend the program strongly enough. It’s best taken after completing driver’s ed or once the student is comfortable behind the wheel (enough to drive to the event).
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:35, STARS: 0
Great advice. Thanks.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:36, STARS: 0
I think I would be an effective teacher, and he would be an effective student. And yes, the cost is really irrelevant when it comes to safety.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
12/12/2017 at 17:37, STARS: 0
Wow, I never knew it cost a dime to get a permit anywhere. We just learned whatever our parents taught us. My school had Driver’s Ed, but no car, so it was all textbook instruction (same for FL, PA, and AL across multiple schools I attended in middle and high school).
Parenting is eye opening.
"farscythe - makin da cawfee!" (farscythe)
12/12/2017 at 17:37, STARS: 1
id say..assuming you got private land or at least a fairly traffic free zone... teach him to start stop steer and shift.... and get a couple lessons for the license passing stuff
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:38, STARS: 0
Do you know if there is anything like this in Austin? The site only shows dates for other states, yet you said you run it in DFW.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
12/12/2017 at 17:39, STARS: 1
Because.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:39, STARS: 2
Which is exactly what my parents did. My OTR test consisted of one lap around the ring road at the local shopping mall. It was pretty lame. Then my dad had me drive home on the interstate. I was petrified, but I did it.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
12/12/2017 at 17:41, STARS: 2
If you think it would work, then you may as well give it a go. You could always bail and send him to the school is the first few lessons go horribly.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:41, STARS: 1
Parenting is eye opening.
Indeed. When I was learning back in 1981, we did classroom and initial OTR in HS. That got us our learner permit and we were on our way. TX has a graduated licensing program, and it’s a lot more complicated. Plus, somebody has to make money off of it.
"WRXforScience" (WRXforScience)
12/12/2017 at 17:45, STARS: 1
There are schools in Austin, the dates are for schools that are already approved. Many clubs only get the schools approved about 2 months before the school (they are entirely volunteer run, so it’s tough to get 20-30 volunteers to commit much earlier or on a recurring basis).
"farscythe - makin da cawfee!" (farscythe)
12/12/2017 at 17:45, STARS: 1
lol... welp.. every now and again those pesky old timers do nail it
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
12/12/2017 at 17:46, STARS: 1
Yeah, it’s probably more logical to tier it and require instruction. My experience here in AL is that the democratic contingent usually blocks any plans to implement emissions/safety inspections or additional fuel taxes because (as they correctly state) the effect disproportionately hurts the poor. It’s as much a “driving is my right” attitude as you’ll find.
All things considered, pro instruction is the best option.
Semi-related, but my uncle in TX is a CCW permit instructor. Here in AL, all you need is a clean criminal record. A little too lax...
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 17:48, STARS: 0
Thanks. I’ll keep my eyes open.
"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
12/12/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 2
I’m no help. I had my school learners permit at 14, full school permit a few months later. Started driving myself to school alone for freshman year. My school didn’t offer drivers ed until the summer after freshman year. Kinda hilarious that everyone was driving themselves to class, and the road portion was sorta a joke. It was just for insurance purposes.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
12/12/2017 at 18:01, STARS: 2
I took my driver’s ed class at a Sears in willowbrook, tx! I probably wouldn’t recommend it.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 18:02, STARS: 2
Sears wouldn’t have been my first choice...
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
12/12/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 0
Glad I don’t have to talk you out of that one.
"dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter" (dsigned001)
12/12/2017 at 18:41, STARS: 1
Holy s*** so did I. I would second not recommending it
"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
12/12/2017 at 18:43, STARS: 1
I will be teaching my kids how to drive. However, “officially” they learn better from someone else, so I’m going to sign them up for driver’s ed.
"dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter" (dsigned001)
12/12/2017 at 18:47, STARS: 0
I feel like there’s got to be a traffic regulation accurate driving simulator
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 18:57, STARS: 1
There is. It’s called Safety City.
Not sure why those kids are driving on the sidewalk, though.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
12/12/2017 at 19:16, STARS: 0
I thought by Texas law you had to have a drivers education course. I was 23 when I got a license in Texas and even thought I had a valid GA license for over 7 years at this point they almost refused to give me a license because I didn’t have a drivers education course.
My parents are the ones that taught me to drive. I was very interested in cars back then so I tried to be a good driver. My mom basically me drive the van if we went anywhere. I don’t think I’ve suffered for not having any formal drivers training. If they’re interested in driving, then you should be alright teaching them yourself.
"dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter" (dsigned001)
12/12/2017 at 19:17, STARS: 1
Lol. I was thinking more like a taxi game where you earn points for your time but you get dinged if you go over the speed limit or break a traffic law
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 19:19, STARS: 0
You do have to have a driver’s education course. It is either taught by the driving school, or done online. Either way, you have to pass the classroom before you can get your learner permit.
"sony1492" (sony1492)
12/12/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 1
Taking the class sounds like the best option but if possible do some teaching of your own. When I was growing up I was allowed to drive on the private property and it really helped when it came time to get into a car with an instructor. My experience with an instructor was basically getting into a cavalier and driving around for 30 minutes a few times(his advise was also not good at all). It cost a few hundred and was required after taking the written tests, it was very lax. But that was CA and it sounds like the Texas version might have quality instruction. In the off chance that it dosent, the teaching you do will help tremendously.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
12/12/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 2
Ah, that makes sense. Didn’t have to do that 12 years ago in GA.
"Saab wagon is best wagon-now with less Saab" (saabwagon)
12/12/2017 at 21:03, STARS: 1
I’d recommend option 1 for a variety of reasons.
"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
12/12/2017 at 21:06, STARS: 1
My parents taught me to drive plus I paid for some driving lessons before doing and passing my driving test.
In the decades since I’ve done a few driver training courses. One of the best involved taking different cars from our work fleet and doing a vehicle handling and safety course which involved emergency braking and incident avoidance. Great fun in GQ Nissan Patrol and also downright sobering.
Needless to say this sort of training has improved the standard of my driving quite a lot .
I would vote for Option 1.
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
12/12/2017 at 21:36, STARS: 1
I got my license a long time ago in GA. My high school didn’t have driver’s ed until I was in college. My parents taught my how to drive though. My mom taught me the fun stuff like burnouts, doughnuts, and wheelies. My dad taught me everything else. I had a few hundred hours by the time I got my license. The written part was a breeze, and the driving part was super easy. The funny thing is that I never drove an auto until I got my learners permit, and I was shifting the auto truck on the column instead of leaving it in drive.
I am tempted to force my wife to take driving lessons even though Florida gave her a license for some reason.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
12/12/2017 at 21:55, STARS: 1
Your mom sounds like a hoot!
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
12/12/2017 at 22:32, STARS: 0
My mom started teaching me to drive when I was quite young and the lessons were reinforced by my buddy’s dad. But we grew up in the country. As soon as my kids were big enough to sit in the front seat, I did what my mom did - made them do the shifting while I ran the clutch. When my daughter got her permit, we made a trip to the country and I let her terrorize the back roads in an old truck. Within an hour, she was shifting like a pro.
We did send her to a driving school for many of the reasons you mentioned. The laws here are a little different and the school seemed the best bet. It was a few weekends of class and a few more of driving. The school we selected had an option where an instructor would pick up the kids after their regular school during the week and deliver them home but we chose the weekend option. I was a bit leery of using the driving school since I’ve seen how some of their instructors drive. One of the worst I’ve seen stopped on a flashing yellow, a habit that is common down here. That was one of the questions I asked before selecting a school - what do you tell the kids to do at a flashing yellow light? If they gave the wrong answer, that school was ruled out.
She does have to have a bunch of hours of supervised driving, so we try to get those on the way to school, the way home from school, and trips to the store. With our frequent trips to my mom’s this year, she’s put in a lot of time on the interstate and rural highways. She even had a few hours driving in the rain at night while pulling a trailer.
There’s really no way around it, it just takes time and if you want your kids to drive like you, that time has to be spent with you. We think she’s well prepared, so she will be taking her test over the break.
Heaven help us....
"itranthelasttimeiparkedit" (itranthelasttimeiparkedit)
12/12/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 0
Depends on you (or your significant other as the parent) I think. I was half and half. My mom gave me probably 2x as much instruction as the class before she would let me do the test. The one instructor we had was shit too although the rest were good.
My wife learned entirely from her parents who a) have no patience and b) are shit drivers. She is so bad it scares me to let her drive my daughters around some days, she almost ran the dog over today.
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
12/13/2017 at 00:32, STARS: 1
Yeah. She used to have a Mazdaspeed Miata. It was red with black leather, racing harts, and every Mazdaspeed option on it. She got it because the Roush Stage 3 Convertible she was buying was sold to another customer when she was doing the paperwork.
"user314" (user314)
12/13/2017 at 13:22, STARS: 0
I mean, I guess Sears Auto is still a thing, barely, but Driver’s Ed?