Teenagers all across Connecticut have mixed emotions once they reach the age to start driving. There is the excitement of getting a car and being able to have more freedom as a young adult. But, there is also the dread surrounding the lessons and tests.
The right teacher can make all the difference. Some parents will insist that they are the best teachers for their children, but is that true? Should teens really learn from parents when there are so many brilliant driving schools to work with instead?
Are Professional Driving Lessons Mandatory?
No. There is no state requirement for learner drivers to have professional lessons with a qualified instructor before taking a test. However, the state does insist that every learner driver goes through 40 hours of driving practice in some form. This has to be with an experienced driver with 4 years on the road and no suspensions.
There are pros and cons to this. While it does make driving more accessible, it also means that some teens don’t get the best training.
Now, there will be plenty of parents raising their hands saying they are qualified. Technically, they are right. If they have a clean license and a roadworthy car, there is nothing to stop them from training you. The problem is that their experience can only go so far.
They aren’t as qualified as professional driving instructors at the best local driving schools. Here are some of the reasons why you need to politely decline your parent’s offer and go with the pros instead.
Why You Need Professional Driving Lessons
1) Drivers who understand the rules of the road
This sounds like a pretty obvious requirement, but it can’t be overestimated. The basic rules of the road are the difference between passing a test with flying colours and never getting a ticket, and failing on technicalities and spending your time annoying other drivers.
The basic rules of the road mean everything from dealing with road signs and crossings to knowing when to yield and how to signal to other drivers. It is all about being courteous and respectful. Parents may be so busy trying to teach kids how to parallel park and shift gear that these details get overlooked.
2) Drivers who don’t teach you bad habits
This is perhaps the biggest risk when asking parents to handle the driving training. After 20 or more years on the road, they might not be as good as they think they are. Every driver lets some of the little things slide or handles things a little differently. They might be able to get away with a lot on the road, but these lax standards won’t help teens pass their tests.
These bad habits could be safety issues like checking mirrors and using signals. Instructors don’t have these bad habits to pass on. They are far more meticulous and precise, and that gets results.
3) Drivers who understand the driving test procedure
When kids understand all these finer rules of the road, basic driving practices, and good habits, they are ready for the test. Parents can read up about modern test practices, but they haven’t experienced it. They can only give so much advice on how to handle it. Instructors have been in the heart of the action and know the tests inside out. They can prep learners on every single minute detail to give them a much stronger chance of passing. They can also arrange for the test to take place from their CT driving school.
4) Drivers that have dual-controlled cars
This little detail could be a dealbreaker for a lot of learner drivers and parents. It might be that parents offer to teach their kids out of a sense of obligation. In reality, they might hate the idea of giving kids control of their cars and putting everyone at risk. Working with a professional driving instructor removes that stress in two ways.
First, they have their own cars to entrust to their students – so the family car is safe. Second, those learner cars have dual controls. The instructor can hit the brakes from their side if they have to. This should mean that learners can push themselves a little harder.
5) Drivers that are experienced teachers
This final point might be the most important of them all. Driving instructors are teachers who happen to be very good at teaching people to drive. They aren’t people that can drive who decide to share knowledge. That’s the difference between working with instructors and working with parents.
Your parent may have good intentions of helping you progress, but they can’t teach you effectively. They can’t plan out lessons and adapt them to suit your needs. They can’t end a session with constructive feedback and suitable homework. They can’t treat you like a mentor because they’re already in a superior parent role.
Find All of This at a Reputable Driving School
Clearly, the professional approach is the way to go. If you want to do this, you need to find somewhere with a good reputation. One way to be sure of this is to look for a successful school with lots of experienced drivers. The right school will attract the very best teachers. The most accomplished ones will also have several locations to choose from.
So, look up everything you can about the business online. Look at the training options, sites, profiles, and anything else on offer. From there, you can also look for any signs of accreditation and positive reviews. If these teachers are as good as claimed, there will be many former students talking about their success.
They will be happy to recommend the instructors for their knowledge, patience, and dedication. Look for these on Google reviews or on the company homepage.
The bottom line here is that while it is lovely to have parents offer to teach you to drive in their car, it might not be the best idea. They aren’t equipped to handle everything that you need to learn or to teach it effectively. Sooner or later, you’ll both hit a wall, get frustrated, and fail to progress. Kindly say thanks, but no thanks, and go with a professional teacher instead.
Remember that this expert training is the most efficient way to learn everything when prepping for a test and to get real-world training. Find a teacher you trust at a local driving school and have fun with it.
