DMV Experiences
Problems in some states include laws coming down that in some
way restrict how or even if a parent can teach their teenager
to drive. Other states are fairly relaxed.
In Texas parents may teach their own, if they wish, but need
to show some kind of "Certificate of Attendance." Texans
do NOT need to use the Texas Education Agency's form if they
homeschool (or for that matter use any other form of non-public
school education). Homeschoolers have created such forms using
their home computers and printers and nice paper. Even handwritten
notes verifying attendance have been accepted.
In Illinois
a student enrolled in a home school who wishes to enroll in driver
education offered by a public school district or nonpublic school
shall present, and each such entity shall accept as verification
of the student's eligibility, a signed, notarized statement stipulating:
- i) that the student is enrolled in a home school;
- ii) that he or she is eligible pursuant to subsection (a)
of this section; and
- iii) that the signature presented is that of the individual
who administers the school attended by the student."
Teens must spend a minimum of 30 class hours, plus 6 hours
or more driving with a certified instructor, PLUS 25+ logged
hours driving with a parent, spread over a minimum of 3 months.
In California,
there is no real problem with parents teaching driving, but there
is a permit requirement for a course in "Drug and Alcohol
Awareness." This course can be taken online through the
A to
Z Home's Cool and DriversEd.com. After the class, you need
to pay a professional driving school to give your teen behind-the-wheel
instruction for 6 hours. Cost for this is about $200 over the
cost of the classroom part of the instruction.
Help me out! I want homeschoolers around the world to report on hoops their Department
of Motor Vehicles make teens jump through. Here are some responses
so far:
California
As usual, DMV is not very friendly to homeschoolers. DMV has
created a policy that prohibits issuing certificates to homeschoolers
who do not have a CDS number. They also require letter or form
from the "homeschoolers attendance board" that the
homeschooler is in compliance. Basically, DMV is still not very
helpful to homeschoolers. However, our homeschooling driver education
program continues (after many legal and legislative battles)
to grow.
G M Gates
Editor's note: This may have been a problem at this particular
DMV in this particular year. In 2001, we personally had no extraordinary
requirements imposed on us that were not required of schooling
teens. It does help to call first and find out what documentation
will be acceptible for proof of identity, and give yourself time
to round these up.
Michigan
Hi, we have a fairly recent law (our 20 year old was under
the old and our 17 year old came in under the new) that provides
a restricted license with some stiff penalties if the student
driver gets tickets for speeding or other infractions or is in
an accident. In order to get a license at all you have to have
taken a program approved by the state.
Our kids have paid $200 and $250 of their hard-earned dollars
to take a 10 days driving course that includes classroom instruction
and 10 hours of driving time. So who is REALLY teaching the kids
to drive? Well, in our house, once they have their permit they
have to drive with us for one year before they can get their
license. That takes them through every season and makes them
experienced drivers before they go off on their own with a vehicle.
Both of my boys have bought their own cars, and have to pay for
their own insurance. What an incentive to keep their license
clear; they know they'll be paying the difference in the rates
and for repairs to their car . . .simply homeschooling driver's
ed in MI is not an option. The state simply won't recognize anything
but a program they approve.
Marsha
Virginia
I wanted to relate our experience with getting my daughter
ready to drive. Our state makes a stipulation that the student
is performing at a certain level in high school. My daughter
had already completed high school and was attending college.
They wanted proof that her work was adequate at a high school
level since she was under 18 or that she had diploma showing
her completion of high school. Of course, we did not have a diploma
except the one we had drawn up for fun for her graduation party.
It took us a few days to get the matter straight and they gave
her an exempt status, but they claim that she was the first that
had obtained that status. Probably only on the local level, but
it was a step forward. You really should have seen the battle
to get her admitted to a community college at the age of 16 under
a grant program. Now that was something and they say she is the
first in our state to do that and has effectively changed state
policy.
Thank you,
Sheri
(Virginia, forgot to mention where)
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- Drivers Ed Videos & Software
-
- In April of 1999, then 19-year old Jamie Salvatori, was involved
in a terrible highway auto accident. Since that day, Jamie has
wanted to develop a program to help keep kids safe. "I didn't
want to preach to my peers," said Salvatori. "Rules
of the Road is hosted by four teens who strive to help other
teens make good decisions."
Passing the Driver's Test
Here is finally a video that deals directly with a drivers test
by putting the viewer in a simulated examination situation. Most
of the possible events that occur during a real examination are
included to illustrate what someone can expect during the exam.
- Drivers Ed Books
-
Safe Young Drivers 2000
A Guide for Parents and Teens
by Phil Berardelli
2000 Spiral-bound
Author Phil Berardelli guides parents and teens from the empty
parking lot to the crowded highway in ten straightforward lessons
packed with skill-building exercises, instructive illustrations
and reliable common sense advice.
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