Safe Driving Coalition of Indiana : The Program


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The Program

Why look for a quality program:

Each driving school that offers driver's education has a DMV approved curriculum; however, finding a qualified teacher is often a difficult task. Many schools attempt to teach the class by showing videos, while other schools seek out highly trained driving instructors who can teach each part of the curriculum as it should be taught. This, of course, costs a little bit more money but produces a safe and knowledgeable driver in the end.

To begin with it is important that any student or their parents interested in attending driver's education class should understand the real purpose behind these classes. Some people have the mistaken idea that driver's education classes are designed to prepare a student to pass the DMV written test. In actuality this is the furthest thing from the truth. It's true that through this course you will obtain enough knowledge to pass the required test, but it's designed to cover a vast array of topics that will assist them in everyway possible in their driving career. Following is a brief example of the types of subjects that should be taught in a driver's education class.

What to look for in a quality program:

1.	LAWS - registration, pedestrian, traffic, lighting, smog, sound, right of way, etc.
2.	WHAT TO DO AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT - first aid, reports, insurance info.
3.	AUTO INSURANCE - learning the different parts of the policy
4.	LEGAL SYSTEM - dealing with a police officer, fighting a ticket, traffic school
5.	VEHICLE MAINTENANCE - month-to-month maintenance
6.	HOW TO BUY AND SELL A VEHICLE LEGALLY AND SAVE MONEY
7.	DEFENSIVE DRIVING - vision habits, space management, behavioral training
8.	HOW THE ROADS AND SIGNS ARE DESIGNED TO WORK
9.	MOTORCYCLE LAWS AND SAFETY TECHNIQUES

A well thought out driver's education class should offer all of these subjects and much more. Student should be required to take notes in class and share their notes with their parents, making this course a family learning experience. WHY? Because Mom still believes that you can't legally change lanes at intersections, and Dad believes that yield signs are yellow and black. When a student first enrolls in a driver's education program at the age of 15 years or older, they are automatically eligible to apply for a learner's permit. Driver's education classes are designed to teach both the classroom and behind-the-wheel training simultaneously.

Questions to ask about a program:

•	All licensed instructors behind the wheel
•	What type of experience does each instructor offer
•	Each Indiana class should offer 30 hours of classroom time and 6 hours of behind the wheel outside of classroom time.
•	Is the 6 hours behind the wheel training done one on one or will the instructor have to try to teach my child and control the other students in the backseat.
•	Are all vehicles 5 years or newer?
•	Do you offer at least one full time instructor on staff at all times to answer all of my questions
•	Has each instructor had their background check
•	Does the school provide adequate insurance
•	Is there any sort of parent training guide to offer
•	Will there be constant communication between the school and parents
•	How long are classes State mandates: No more than 2 hours per 24 hour period in class, no more than 5 days per week, and no more than 3 hours behind the wheel lessons per week, No more than 1 hour behind the wheel lesson in a 24 hour period.

How to Pick a Driver Education and Training School is intended to help parents to pick the right school for their teenager. Some of the information may differ from state to state and by no way is to be used as legal advice. Safe Driving Coalition is a non profit organization who wants parents and their teenagers to achieve the very best driver training and education possible. There are many schools in your state that are great schools. Ask the right questions and you will find them.