Driver's Ed.

[Anonymous]

Now that there is a new requirement of 40 hours of Driver's education to get a license will DCPS begin offering this for free to students? I would imagine they would have to. I looked and the private courses cost $800 minimum. I would imagine getting a driver's license would then become a perk only available to rich kids.

Anyone know what the plans are?

[Anonymous]

Why would they offer this for free? My suburban public school did not offer driver's ed at all -- they just gave you some names of companies that offered it.

[Anonymous]

I assume more providers will get into the drivers Ed business which will lower the price.

Schools stopped offering drivers Ed in the 80s or 90s.

[Anonymous]

What requirement of 40 hours of drivers' ed? The DMV website just says you need 40 hours of driving with a licensed driver in the car. No driver's ed course provides that -- you need to drive with a parent or other adult driver.

[Anonymous]

It is new - http://wtop.com/dc/2016/04/d-c-mandates-driver-education-program-beginning-may-1/

[Anonymous]

Why in the world would schools be responsible for helping people obtain driver's licenses?

[Anonymous]

So you need a permit first and then the class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would schools be responsible for helping people obtain driver's licenses?

Back in 1983 I took drivers Ed at school (MD Eastern shore). Most schools offered it then as an elective. But those days are long gone.

[Anonymous]

When I was in school in the midwest I took drivers ed through my school (graduated HS in '88). No idea why it was through the school, doesent really make sense when you think about it. I have a 16 year old who hasn't even mentioned wanting to get his license. Many of his friends that are 17 and 18 are just starting to get theirs. I don't know if it's because we live in a city with a big public transit system or because it's just a different time, but when I was in HS we all counted down the days until we were 16 and could get our license.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would schools be responsible for helping people obtain driver's licenses?

Back in 1983 I took drivers Ed at school (MD Eastern shore). Most schools offered it then as an elective. But those days are long gone.

Same here -- drivers Ed in public high school in PA in early 1980s. It was mandatory.

[Anonymous]

I graduated high school in 1999. Sophomore year was 1 semester of health class and 1 semester of driver's ed during the "gym class" slot. I went to school in Illinois, which is or at least was at the time one of the only states to require gym all 4 years.

[Anonymous]

If your child is old enough (15?) you have until May 1 to get a learner's permit. You can avoid the class if you already have a learner's permit by May 1.

The test is an online 30 or so questions at the DC DMV. You can get up to 7 wrong. That plus the forms online and the fee gets you the permit. We just did this to avoid the new rule about the class.

I also learned to drive through HS but that was flyover country in the 1980s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child is old enough (15?) you have until May 1 to get a learner's permit. You can avoid the class if you already have a learner's permit by May 1.

The test is an online 30 or so questions at the DC DMV. You can get up to 7 wrong. That plus the forms online and the fee gets you the permit. We just did this to avoid the new rule about the class.

I also learned to drive through HS but that was flyover country in the 1980s.

Can get a learner's permit at 16.

[Anonymous]

If classes really cost that much $800?? then that seems like an 7 due burden and will be thrown out in a legal challenge ..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If classes really cost that much $800?? then that seems like an 7 due burden and will be thrown out in a legal challenge ..

Doubtful - driving is a privilege.

Maryland requires driver's ed classes as well and has for years.