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Safety Tips for Teens

Yeah, we’re a driving school – but our overall message is safety. So here are some safety tips for teens…and the parents who worry about them.

1. Make sure someone always knows where you are.

Nowadays with cell phones there’s no excuse. Text or call someone (preferably a parent or adult) and let them know where you’ll be and at least a general timeframe of when you’ll be home. If you change locations, notify them again.

Always leave home with a fully charged cell phone!

Parents: A good rule for your teenager is to have them tell you where they will be, and notify you if they change locations. Also be sure you have the phone numbers of at least one of your kids’ friends and their parents.

2. Make sure you always have a way home.

This may take a bit of planning ahead, kids, but it’s worth it. You don’t want to get stuck somewhere without a way home, and you certainly don’t want to be forced to ride with someone you don’t know or trust. If you don’t have a license yet, have a licensed driver such as your parent or a friend’s parent get you home.

Always carry some extra cash with you to get you home in a taxi if need be.

Parents: A good rule is that your teenager may not ride with anyone without your prior approval. Let your kids know that no matter what happens, you’ll always be happy to pick them up – even if they haven’t been behaving in a way you would approve of. You’d rather them get home safely and deal with the behavior later than have something catastrophic happen.

Give your kids some extra cash to put in a secret spot in their wallet in case of an emergency.

3. When out at night, always have someone with you.

This applies to all teens, but especially girls. Sketchy people are sketchy no matter what time of day it is, but nighttime often invites trouble. Travel with a friend or adult, and don’t get stuck in a situation where you’ll be alone. It’s not cowardly, it’s just good sense.

If you’re meeting up with friends and they haven’t arrived yet, stay in your car (doors locked, engine running) or hang out in a very public, populated, and well-lit area.

If you are walking around at night, be aware of your surroundings. Take note of any strange people that feel suspicious. Try to remain in public, well-lit areas. Your body language is KEY – walk confidently, like you know where you’re going, head held high. Predators prey on the weak. Give off an air of “don’t mess with me” and you may ward off an unwanted approach.

Always have your keys in hand before leaving an establishment at night to walk to your car. Don’t walk alone if possible – even if you just walk out at the same time as other people walking to their cars.

Parents: While driving alone may be better for teens than having passengers because of the potential for distraction, a good rule is to have your kid text or call you when they get to where they are going and have met up with their friends.

4. DON’T mind your manners.

What we mean here is, trust your gut. You don’t have to be polite to someone who gives you the creeps – even if they are asking you for help. Follow your intuition on people. If someone truly needs help, they can find it from someone else – or you can offer to call the police on their behalf…after you leave. Be leery of anyone asking a young person for help, unless they are clearly in an emergency. Even then, be cautious and call the authorities with the situation and your location right away.

Parents: Encourage your kids to follow their intuition. They don’t have to like, trust, or be friends with everyone – even YOUR friends. If someone gives them the creeps or just doesn’t seem right to them, let them know you trust their intuition and allow them to make that decision for themselves. Then, if an actually dangerous situation arises, they will be more likely to act on their intuition.

There will be more of these safety tips to come, so stay tuned! In the meantime, use good sense and be safe! Parents, communicate with your kids!

 

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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.