Anybody done the parent-taught drivers ed?

[jerp]

I'm fixing to do this for my 15 year old son, I just received the packet from DPS. You can do the classroom portion yourself (something like 32 hours-worth) or you can buy a course on CD from an approved vendor - this is the way I'm leaning. Anybody done this before?

[Tuffbroadhead]

I'm right there with you Jerp, I'm waiting on the packet to get here so I can do the class with my daughter...

Sorry I cant offer up any advice, this is my first go round..

[jerp]

It's going to be a test of our nerves, Tuff- I can already see me turning into my dad in this deal - "dang it son, keep your eyes on the road and slow down! Use your turn signal - the sign says STOP, not slow down!"

[twigflipper]

I am right there also. Just got the packet in the mail today.
Mike

[bowhuntntxn]

My wife did it with my son. seemed to work out pretty well for them since she is WAYYYYYYY more tolerant than me. Might want to consider having the wife give it a stab, and find a big empty parking lot to start in. Nothin to it. My son passed the written first time!!

[dieter]

I did it with my step son about six years ago. Too long ago to remember the details, but it was a good experience for both of us without many hassles.

Dieter

[Deer Tracks]

Sounds great...I learned so much more from my parents than I ever did with a driving instructor!

[Snakelover]

I used the parent taught CDs with my son and am currently doing the same with my daughter. However, I take them to the drivers ed for the behind the wheel portion.

Of course, the classroom portion is the part that's the hassle to get them to and from a school at the particular time. Whereas, they can do the behind the wheel part pretty much anytime. You just sign up on a schedule and show up. So that's pretty convenient to do during the summer. Also fairly inexpensive to do just that part without the classroom instruction.

So what we do is make sure they have their school attendance form before summer starts. (Hope you did that.) That way they can get their learners permit after the first 6 hours of CD instruction and get started with the behind the wheel instruction at the same time they're continuing the CD instruction.

This approach worked very well with my son and so I'm doing the same thing with my daughter.

[Jaspro]

Do they even need drivers ed anymore? The way the folks have been driving around here the last week I thought they must be handing them out in crackerjack boxes.

[crittergitter]

find a stick shift and to teach them how to drive. very few younger people know how to drive a stick

my dad taught me how to drive on a ford courier when i was 13yoa. he started me off by teaching me to back the boat trailer in the water.

i just think he want to sit in the boat while i had to get out and get the truck.

good luck on the teaching of the kids

[Guardian Reaper]

All you can do is your best. I see parents every day that range from those who have done a very thorough job of instructing their kids to those who don't have clue what is happening.

I mean people who don't bother to even read what's required and bring in the whole packet filled out (including the behind the wheel part) and certify their kid's been driving the 7 hours and do not even have a permit yet.

As a trooper I taught both my girls, man, they had it rough.

If you spend the time to show them how to drive safely and watch out for the things other motorists do wrong, you are way ahead of of the game. They will follow your lead as a driver and how you currently drive as much as anything else.

Be a good example when you're driving and when they're riding along, even at twelve, thirteen, fourteen years old, point out different things to them. Show them how a good driver patiently handles things and is aware of their surroundings. You will be amazed at what they will remember. Your kids will always look up to you and want to be like you. Driving just happens to be one of the most important things that can save their lives.

Good luck! You should be fine...

[Tmag]

I taught both my kids at home. We did the classroom ourself and I rode all over our country roads with them driving. It is nice to have the lesser traveled roads so they can mess up and nobody gets hurt.
Enjoy the time with them, don't get upset with them, and you'll be closer than you can imagine when you both get through it.

[BrandonA]

Jerp,

I think that its great that you are going to do it. In addition to the class room part I would add one little detail, a tour of the local funeral home. My parents did this to everyone of us kids and to say that it had a last imperssions is an understatement.

[deerplanter]

I did the driving part with my girls a few years ago and it was fairly painless. I took them to a large parking lot and let them get used to driving before we got on the road. After they got used to it we drove down some country roads for awhile before we hit the city. I'm not a very good teacher but we actually had fun doing this (except when they both nearly wrecked).

[raiderelkhunter]

I would say I am 50/50 on this. My parents did this with my sister back when she was 15 and she is the worst driver in the world now??? And they are doing this now with my brother who is doing quite well. I think there is a lot of run around BS with it b/c of all the paperwork and stuff that is normally taken care of by the Driving school.... I for one respect anyone that can do this as I have zero patience and anytime my brother drives my tahoe, I end up furious and so does he?!?