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17-Year-Old Irvine Teen Loses Control of Vehicle, 2 People Killed

We prefer not to write about topics like these, as they are so tragic and sad. However, as Orange County driving educators, dedicated to informing our citizens and teaching our young people how to be safe, skilled drivers, we have to use this opportunity to discuss an epidemic facing Orange County – and all of America – and that is our teen driving statistics. Unfortunately teenagers are statistically the worst, most dangerous people to have behind the wheel. This may seem like a very negative article, but two human lives were lost last week; something HAS to change.

Last Tuesday morning, a 17-year-old Irvine teenager lost control of his vehicle. He hit and killed two pedestrians, Richard and Sharon Crowell of Irvine, aged 65 and 61 respectively. The boy was reportedly driving to Northwood High School in Irvine. The driver was unharmed, but two innocent lives were lost in an instant.

Why are teenagers so dangerous behind the wheel?

  • Teenagers are often undereducated and immature, lacking the skills and techniques necessary to make good driving decisions
  • New drivers haven’t learned many of the skills and problem solving that can only be learned by experience
  • They lack the maturity/life experience to consider the consequences of their actions
  • Many are OVER confident and feel invincible
  • Teens are easily distracted by passengers, music, and cell phones
  • Parents don’t restrict their newly licensed teenagers’ driving time
  • Parents don’t model good driving behavior for their teens

How can we change this?

What can we do to reverse some of the horrible statistics about teenage drivers?

It takes a village…

First off, families and other adults MUST get involved. We at Safety 1st do our very best to instruct and mentor your kids in a way that will help them not only learn skills, but to help them WANT to be a safe, defensive driver in Orange County. YOU need to do your part as well. Are you a parent? Grandparent? Aunt or uncle? Older sibling? Teacher? Coach? Neighbor? Carpooler? Friend?

Here are some things you can do to help teenage drivers:

  • Encourage teens to be safe drivers. Give them incentives for safe driving, such as not using their cell phones, speeding, or adjusting their radio while driving. 
  • Tell your kids to take their time, especially when they are running late. Let them know you’d much rather them be late than get into an accident.
  • Provide boundaries and restrictions to newly licensed drivers, such as no driving with friends and no nighttime driving.
  • Take an active part in your student driver’s driver education program. Practice with them and talk to their instructors regularly.
  • MODEL good behavior. You may not want to hear it, but this is the most important thing you can do. Show your kids what good driving looks like, by doing it yourself. (No texting or talking while driving, be patient with other drivers, no speeding, wear seat belts, etc.)

Teens, You HAVE to Care!

We at Safety 1st have been privileged to teach behind-the-wheel skills to some amazing Orange County teenagers. We care about each and every student that comes our way. We expect a lot from teenagers, because we believe they are capable of doing much more than anyone asks or expects. They are capable of doing great things! All it takes is for a few brave teenagers to stand up and do the right thing, and more will follow.

Teens, we challenge you to change the statistics! Beat the odds! Show Orange County and America that you are better than the statistics show. We cannot keep letting teenagers and innocent people die because of carelessness and inexperience behind the wheel. Please, care about your driver’s education. Take driving seriously. When you are behind the wheel, your life and the lives of others are literally at stake.

Please contact us and register your teenager for the best driver’s education Orange County has to offer. Let’s make Orange County a better place, one safe driver at a time – starting TODAY!

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Step 1. Complete our online driver’s education course

Register for our online driver education course. After you complete the required chapters and tests, we will then send you the DMV Certificate of Completion (DL387) that you can take to the DMV when you are ready to take the written test for your learner’s permit.

Our online driver ed course is available to all California residents. You can take our course at your own pace, in your own home in your own time.

Step 2. Study for the DMV written test

You will need to study for the DMV written permit test by reading through the DMV California Driver Handbook. It will benefit you if you take your time and study the handbook so you are comfortable with the information that will be on the test.

Take your time, you don’t want to have to go back to retake the test.

Step 3. Make an appointment at the DMV to take the written exam

It is important that you call ahead of time and schedule an appointment at the local DMV so you can go in and take the written test.

The lines at the DMV are usually very long so you don’t want to waste your time waiting in line. Make sure that you are well prepared for your appointment.

Most DMV’s are open Mondays through Fridays until 5 pm; Some are also open on Saturdays for a few hours so call ahead of time and see which date and times are best for you.

Step 4. Bring necessary documents to the DMV office

  • Complete the application form DL 44, remember the DMV always requires An original to be submitted. Copies will not be accepted in any form, so make sure you have exactly what you need. You can get this form from your local DMV.
  • Have your parents or guardians sign the application form DL 44.
  • Give your right thumbprint.
  • Have your picture taken.
  • Provide your social security #
  • Verify your birth date and legal residence
  • Submit the proper form(s) for Driver Education and/or Driver Training (see below for details)
  • Pay the $28.00 application fee (This fee entitles you to three exams of any type within the 12-month period and pays for both the instruction permit and the driver license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.)
  • Pass a vision exam, if you need glasses, wear them.
  • Pass a written test, there are 46 questions on the test.
  • You need a passing score of at least 39 correct answers.
  • You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again.

 

Driver Education and Driver Training Form Requirements:

If you are 15  years of age, you will need to bring with you:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education) with form DL 391 (Driver Training Enrollment ) if your school has a contract with a driving school.

OR

  • Form DL 356 or forms OL 237 and OL 238 (Completion of both Driver Education and Driver Training)

OR

  • Submit form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 15 but under 18 years of age, you will need to submit:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education)

OR

  • Form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 17  but under 18 years of age, you may get your permit without the driver education and driver training certificates however, you will not be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.

Once you pass your written test, you will be issued a provisional permit. You can be issued a permit at age 15, but you cannot take the driving test or be issued a driver’s license until you are 16 years of age.

A parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver’s license, must be with you when you drive. They must sit in a position that allows them to take control of the vehicle, if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone at any time.

Before being eligible to take the driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed driver education
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver’s license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.

 

If driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools form DL 33 completed by the out-of-state school or a letter on the out-of-state school’s stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses are equivalent to California’s requirements. Instructional permits issued by another state are not acceptable

Step 5. Complete behind the wheel training

When you pass the written exam:

  • You are required to take your first 2 hours of behind the wheel training with a professional driving instructor.
  •  You may start behind the wheel training with your parent/guardian or other licensed drivers who are 25 years of age or older.
  •  You must further complete four (4) more hours of driving school instruction.
  • Complete fifty (50) additional hours of behind the wheel training with a parent/guardian or any other adult who is 25 years old or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify that you’ve had the 50 hours of practice. It is required that 10 of the 50 hours of training is done in the evening.

Step 6. Take the driving test at the DMV

To be eligible to take your driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed a driver education course
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult who is 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
  • You will also need to show registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be taking your drive test in.
  •  If you fail your drive test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.
    • Driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee is $6.00.
    • Motorcycle driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee $6.00.

 

After you pass your drive test you will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double-check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect.

If you have not received your license after 60 days, call (916) 657-7790 and they can check on the status for you. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.

Step 7. Receive provisional license upon passing the driving test

After you pass the Driving Test, you will be issued a provisional license. Your license will have the following restrictions for the next year: During the first 12 months, you are licensed to drive you must be accompanied by a driver 25 years of age or older if you drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or if you have passengers under the age of 20 in the car at any time.

Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you become 18, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.