Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 09:11     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember anything of driver’s training, but I’m struggling to imagine how my teen will go from zero-driving in just six hours behind-the-wheel instruction. I’m terrified of when it’s my turn to take over instructions. Do they truly become confident and experienced enough in just six hours?


No, it's basic instruction. Your job is to then assess how strong a driver they are and do a minimum of 50 hours of practice, preferably in as many many adverse conditions as possible. That means timed restrictions on roads, interstate driving, rush hour, after dark, rural and urban, ice, rain, etc. I start with showing me basics in a mall parking lot before it opens on a weekend morning, then working from there. Get a list of parking and driving maneuvers if you can't remember them all, make sure the teen has a basic level of competence.

Yes, but this can only be done after they complete the first segment and obtain their permit. I’m talking about, are they prepared for the road after the first segment?

You need to go back to square one: child studies, practices online learner's test, you gather all needed documents, when child can get most or all online learner's practice questions correct, you and they then schedule and take the learner's test. Once the learner's permit is obtained, THEN you begin parking lot instruction. Inform your insurance first. Your rates don't increase until child has a license.

Oh, see in our state, they do 30 hours of classroom, 6 hours of instructional driving, and then take a road test before they can take the written test to get their permit. I thought it was like this everywhere!


That makes no sense. They shouldn't be behind the wheel at al without a permit.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 09:01     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember anything of driver’s training, but I’m struggling to imagine how my teen will go from zero-driving in just six hours behind-the-wheel instruction. I’m terrified of when it’s my turn to take over instructions. Do they truly become confident and experienced enough in just six hours?


No, it's basic instruction. Your job is to then assess how strong a driver they are and do a minimum of 50 hours of practice, preferably in as many many adverse conditions as possible. That means timed restrictions on roads, interstate driving, rush hour, after dark, rural and urban, ice, rain, etc. I start with showing me basics in a mall parking lot before it opens on a weekend morning, then working from there. Get a list of parking and driving maneuvers if you can't remember them all, make sure the teen has a basic level of competence.

Yes, but this can only be done after they complete the first segment and obtain their permit. I’m talking about, are they prepared for the road after the first segment?

You need to go back to square one: child studies, practices online learner's test, you gather all needed documents, when child can get most or all online learner's practice questions correct, you and they then schedule and take the learner's test. Once the learner's permit is obtained, THEN you begin parking lot instruction. Inform your insurance first. Your rates don't increase until child has a license.

Oh, see in our state, they do 30 hours of classroom, 6 hours of instructional driving, and then take a road test before they can take the written test to get their permit. I thought it was like this everywhere!


What state is this? In Maryland, my kid did 30 hours of classroom, got their permit, and then needed 60 hours supervised driving and 6 hours instructional in the next 9 months before they could do the road test for the actual license. We spaced out the 6 hours- we taught 20 hours ourselves (parking lots, quiet neighborhoods) before the first instructional session, then did the other two sessions after about 40 and 60 hours of parent supervision.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:54     Subject: Re:Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You’re supposed to drive with them before the behind the wheel instruction. There was just a thread about this recently. Do not send them with zero experience.

Start in a parking lot and graduate to smaller roads.


This. At least in Virginia you have a test at the DMV to get the permit. Take them to a parking lot after that, we used the Wolf Trap and NOVA CC lots to start doing very low speed (like 10-15mph) car handling a few times. By the time DC had their first driving lesson we already had a few hours under their belt, moving from the parking lots to short stints on neighborhood streets.

How does this work with insurance? They aren’t covered. Aren’t you worried they’ll hit a car, or worse?
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:54     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember anything of driver’s training, but I’m struggling to imagine how my teen will go from zero-driving in just six hours behind-the-wheel instruction. I’m terrified of when it’s my turn to take over instructions. Do they truly become confident and experienced enough in just six hours?


No, it's basic instruction. Your job is to then assess how strong a driver they are and do a minimum of 50 hours of practice, preferably in as many many adverse conditions as possible. That means timed restrictions on roads, interstate driving, rush hour, after dark, rural and urban, ice, rain, etc. I start with showing me basics in a mall parking lot before it opens on a weekend morning, then working from there. Get a list of parking and driving maneuvers if you can't remember them all, make sure the teen has a basic level of competence.

Yes, but this can only be done after they complete the first segment and obtain their permit. I’m talking about, are they prepared for the road after the first segment?

You need to go back to square one: child studies, practices online learner's test, you gather all needed documents, when child can get most or all online learner's practice questions correct, you and they then schedule and take the learner's test. Once the learner's permit is obtained, THEN you begin parking lot instruction. Inform your insurance first. Your rates don't increase until child has a license.

Oh, see in our state, they do 30 hours of classroom, 6 hours of instructional driving, and then take a road test before they can take the written test to get their permit. I thought it was like this everywhere!
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:53     Subject: Re:Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:You’re supposed to drive with them before the behind the wheel instruction. There was just a thread about this recently. Do not send them with zero experience.

Start in a parking lot and graduate to smaller roads.


This. At least in Virginia you have a test at the DMV to get the permit. Take them to a parking lot after that, we used the Wolf Trap and NOVA CC lots to start doing very low speed (like 10-15mph) car handling a few times. By the time DC had their first driving lesson we already had a few hours under their belt, moving from the parking lots to short stints on neighborhood streets.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:52     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember anything of driver’s training, but I’m struggling to imagine how my teen will go from zero-driving in just six hours behind-the-wheel instruction. I’m terrified of when it’s my turn to take over instructions. Do they truly become confident and experienced enough in just six hours?


No, it's basic instruction. Your job is to then assess how strong a driver they are and do a minimum of 50 hours of practice, preferably in as many many adverse conditions as possible. That means timed restrictions on roads, interstate driving, rush hour, after dark, rural and urban, ice, rain, etc. I start with showing me basics in a mall parking lot before it opens on a weekend morning, then working from there. Get a list of parking and driving maneuvers if you can't remember them all, make sure the teen has a basic level of competence.

Yes, but this can only be done after they complete the first segment and obtain their permit. I’m talking about, are they prepared for the road after the first segment?

You need to go back to square one: child studies, practices online learner's test, you gather all needed documents, when child can get most or all online learner's practice questions correct, you and they then schedule and take the learner's test. Once the learner's permit is obtained, THEN you begin parking lot instruction. Inform your insurance first. Your rates don't increase until child has a license.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:30     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember anything of driver’s training, but I’m struggling to imagine how my teen will go from zero-driving in just six hours behind-the-wheel instruction. I’m terrified of when it’s my turn to take over instructions. Do they truly become confident and experienced enough in just six hours?


No, it's basic instruction. Your job is to then assess how strong a driver they are and do a minimum of 50 hours of practice, preferably in as many many adverse conditions as possible. That means timed restrictions on roads, interstate driving, rush hour, after dark, rural and urban, ice, rain, etc. I start with showing me basics in a mall parking lot before it opens on a weekend morning, then working from there. Get a list of parking and driving maneuvers if you can't remember them all, make sure the teen has a basic level of competence.

Yes, but this can only be done after they complete the first segment and obtain their permit. I’m talking about, are they prepared for the road after the first segment?


DP. There was no behind-the-wheel instruction before my kid got her permit. Just a computer test.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:29     Subject: Re:Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:You’re supposed to drive with them before the behind the wheel instruction. There was just a thread about this recently. Do not send them with zero experience.

Start in a parking lot and graduate to smaller roads.


This!
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:29     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember anything of driver’s training, but I’m struggling to imagine how my teen will go from zero-driving in just six hours behind-the-wheel instruction. I’m terrified of when it’s my turn to take over instructions. Do they truly become confident and experienced enough in just six hours?


No, it's basic instruction. Your job is to then assess how strong a driver they are and do a minimum of 50 hours of practice, preferably in as many many adverse conditions as possible. That means timed restrictions on roads, interstate driving, rush hour, after dark, rural and urban, ice, rain, etc. I start with showing me basics in a mall parking lot before it opens on a weekend morning, then working from there. Get a list of parking and driving maneuvers if you can't remember them all, make sure the teen has a basic level of competence.

Yes, but this can only be done after they complete the first segment and obtain their permit. I’m talking about, are they prepared for the road after the first segment?
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:28     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
You’re supposed to log like 60 hours or something with them. And then hopefully much more after that. This is your job to make sure they’re ready, OP.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:28     Subject: Re:Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:You’re supposed to drive with them before the behind the wheel instruction. There was just a thread about this recently. Do not send them with zero experience.

Start in a parking lot and graduate to smaller roads.

We’ve done parking lot driving, but they aren’t covered under insurance until they get their permit.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:26     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember anything of driver’s training, but I’m struggling to imagine how my teen will go from zero-driving in just six hours behind-the-wheel instruction. I’m terrified of when it’s my turn to take over instructions. Do they truly become confident and experienced enough in just six hours?


No, it's basic instruction. Your job is to then assess how strong a driver they are and do a minimum of 50 hours of practice, preferably in as many many adverse conditions as possible. That means timed restrictions on roads, interstate driving, rush hour, after dark, rural and urban, ice, rain, etc. I start with showing me basics in a mall parking lot before it opens on a weekend morning, then working from there. Get a list of parking and driving maneuvers if you can't remember them all, make sure the teen has a basic level of competence.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:22     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
Either you have to actively work with them before, during and after or you need to buy significantly more than 6 hours.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 08:20     Subject: Re:Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
You’re supposed to drive with them before the behind the wheel instruction. There was just a thread about this recently. Do not send them with zero experience.

Start in a parking lot and graduate to smaller roads.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2026 07:50     Subject: Are they truly prepared to hit the road after driver’s training?
I can’t remember anything of driver’s training, but I’m struggling to imagine how my teen will go from zero-driving in just six hours behind-the-wheel instruction. I’m terrified of when it’s my turn to take over instructions. Do they truly become confident and experienced enough in just six hours?