Choosing driver education: how to find a course that builds safe drivers
What driver's ed can do, how to vet a school and why extra practice matters
Your teen’s permit test is a month away. Three driving schools are competing for your money. One promises the fastest path to a license, one the lowest price, and one a near perfect pass rate. None of those claims answers the question that matters most: will this course help your teen drive safely once you are no longer in the car?
In 2024, 2,320 people died in crashes involving a teen driver aged 15 to 18, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports [8]. NHTSA also notes that teens rarely crash because they don’t know the rules. Inexperience and risk taking are the bigger problems [8].
That is why the best programs teach judgment, involve parents, and fit into graduated driver licensing (GDL), which eases teens into driving in stages. Below you will find the research, the national standards, a guide to each part of a course, and tools for vetting a school.
What the research says about driver ed and crashes
Older studies found no lasting benefit
The best known test took place in DeKalb County, Georgia, from 1978 to 1981. About 16,000 students were randomly assigned to one of two courses or to no course. A 1999 review found small crash and violation benefits in the first 6 months that faded over 2 to 4 years [3].
The reviewers also found that driver ed helped teens get licensed earlier, which was linked to more crashes among young drivers [3]. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says formal evaluations of U.S. high school programs show little or no drop in crashes per licensed driver [12].
NHTSA’s Countermeasures That Work (11th edition, 2023) lists driver ed before licensing among approaches that are unproven or need more study [1]. By contrast, NHTSA says multiple studies show GDL systems reduce teen crashes [8].
Newer studies are more encouraging
- Oregon: An AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study published in 2014 examined records of 94,342 teens. After adjusting for age, sex, driving exposure and urban or rural home, graduates had 4.3% fewer collisions and 39.3% fewer traffic convictions [4].
- Nebraska: A 2015 study covered all 151,880 Nebraska teen drivers from 2003 to 2010. In year one, 11.1% of driver ed graduates crashed, compared with 12.9% of teens who qualified with a supervised driving log [5].
- Manitoba, Canada: Teens who took a high school course scored higher on safe driving knowledge but passed the road test at the same rate as others. On a simulated drive, they still missed 60% of hazards [4].
In Nebraska, traffic violations showed the biggest gap: 10.4% of graduates versus 18.3% of log teens in year one [5]. Still, families who choose driver ed may differ from those who skip it. So part of each gain may reflect who enrolls [1, 4]. The Oregon and Manitoba authors called the benefits positive but modest [4].
Clear answers are hard to get. By one estimate NHTSA cites, a study would need about 35,000 participants to detect a 10% drop in crashes [1].
From a program design view, the lesson is clear. Courses teach rules and car control well, but judgment grows through many varied miles. The most promising programs meet national standards, work with GDL, and push families toward more practice.
What national standards recommend
The Novice Teen Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards (NTDETAS) are the national benchmark. NHTSA developed them with the driver ed community. The current edition dates from May 2023 [1, 6]. They guide states but are not law. NHTSA’s teen driving page suggests looking for a program that meets them [8].
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Feature | Common U.S. course | NTDETAS 2023 benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom or theory | About 30 hours [1] | At least 45 hours, spread over 30 or more days, 2 hours a day at most [6] |
| Behind the wheel | About 6 hours [1] | At least 10 hours, 90 minutes a day at most per student [6] |
| Extra instruction | Varies | At least 10 more hours, such as observation, simulation or online hazard training [6] |
| Simulator in place of road time | Set by each state | No more than one third of behind the wheel hours [6] |
| Class size | Varies | 30 students at most [6] |
| Parent role | Often optional | Required parent or guardian seminar [6] |
| Supervised practice | Your state’s minimum | At least 50 hours (100 is optimal), 10 at night, over a permit of 6 months or more [6] |
The standards also say classroom and in car lessons should run at the same time and connect to each other [6]. For course content, they point to national curriculum standards such as those from the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA) [6, 7].
Classroom, online and behind the wheel: what each part does
Each part of driver education teaches something different. No single part can stand in for the others.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Component | Best for | Limits | What good looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom, in person or live online | Rules, GDL limits, risk factors, discussion | Knowledge alone does not prevent crashes [1, 8] | Active discussion, scenario work, checks for understanding |
| Self paced online course | Access, flexible timing, review | Easy to click through; little feedback | Instructor monitoring, ID checks, no ads in lessons [6] |
| Behind the wheel with an instructor | Car control, scanning, expert correction | Only a few hours; often on easier routes | One student driving, a planned skill sequence, written feedback |
| Observation and simulators | Watching others, practicing rare hazards | Cannot replace real traffic | Clear goals, limited substitution for road time [6] |
| Parent supervised practice | Volume, variety, night and weather driving | Quality depends on the coach | A plan tied to lesson skills and a log of conditions |
Online course pitfalls
Online classes can widen access. Researchers have suggested they could reduce gaps in training [10]. The risk is a course built to be finished, not learned.
Under NTDETAS, self paced online courses should be led or monitored by an instructor. They should check the student’s identity at random points and carry no ads inside lessons [6]. Be wary of a course a teen can finish in one weekend, since the standard spreads classroom work over at least 30 days [6]. Also confirm that your state accepts the course for licensing credit.
Check the school's approval and the instructor's training
Start with your state’s licensing agency, not the school’s website. In California, for example, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses driving school owners and instructors, plus independent instructors. Its inspectors verify backgrounds and inspect businesses. The DMV also takes complaints [15].
The national standards describe what a qualified instructor looks like [6]:
- At least 21 years old, licensed for the past 3 years in a row, with no suspension or revocation in that time
- A passed criminal background check, repeated as the state requires
- Training in how to teach, plus supervised student teaching with a mentor
- Ongoing continuing education and periodic driving record reviews
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) suggests visiting the school. Ask about instructor credentials, accreditation and how much liability insurance the school carries [9]. For teens with ADHD, autism or other learning differences, CHOP points families to a directory from the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists [9].
Inspect the car and the lesson plan
The training car should have a dual control brake for the instructor, an extra mirror for the instructor, and student driver signs visible from every side [6]. NTDETAS calls for an inspection at least once a year and adaptive controls when a student needs them [6].
Lesson length matters too. CHOP says a behind the wheel lesson under 1 hour is not enough [9]. NTDETAS caps driving at 90 minutes a day per student [6]. That makes 60 to 90 minutes a sensible target.
Ask how much of each session your teen spends driving. Under NTDETAS, behind the wheel time means the student drives while the instructor sits in the front passenger seat. Watching another student counts as observation [6]. Ask too how routes progress toward highways, night driving and busy intersections.
Curriculum topics that matter most
ADTSEA’s 2023 curriculum standards cover more than rules of the road [7]. Look for real time on these topics:
- Hazard perception: spotting what could go wrong before it does. IIHS reports that one training study found a 24% lower crash rate among males aged 16 to 18, though no significant effect overall [12].
- Speed and space: following distance, curves and slowing early.
- Driver condition: fatigue, impairment and distraction, including phones [7].
- Hard conditions: night driving, bad weather and sharing the road with trucks, bikes and pedestrians [7].
- GDL and family rules: why passenger and night limits exist.
- Driver assistance features: what they do and where they fall short [7].
Parents belong in driver education
NTDETAS says states should require a parent or guardian seminar, ideally one before the course and one after it [6]. Providers should also give students and parents timely feedback on progress [6]. Some states build this in. Minnesota, for example, cuts its 50 supervised hours to 40 if a parent takes a 90 minute class, per the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) [14].
The evidence for parent programs is promising but limited. NHTSA rates them 2 out of 5 stars and notes none has yet been shown to cut crashes [2]. In one trial of CHOP’s free TeenDrivingPlan, 6% of teens in the program had an on road test stopped early, versus 15% of other teens [2].
CHOP says the best programs also give parents specific guidance on how to practice [9]. This simple routine builds that link.
The lesson handoff
- Before the lesson: tell the instructor what you have practiced and what still worries you.
- Right after: ask which skill was practiced, what your teen did without prompts, and what needs work.
- Within 2 days: plan 2 or 3 home drives on that same skill, on similar roads.
- Before the next lesson: share one success and one struggle from those drives.
Practice beyond the minimum, and after the license
Professional lessons are a small slice of learning. Even 10 hours behind the wheel equals one sixth of a 60 hour total that includes 50 hours of family practice, by simple calculation.
IIHS advises families to aim for about 70 hours even if the state requires far less [13]. The national standards set 50 hours as the floor, with 100 as the ideal [6].
Some states trade driver ed for practice hours. GHSA’s summary, reviewed June 2025, lists Oregon at 50 hours with driver ed and 100 without. Nebraska and Alabama require no logged hours after driver ed [14]. NHTSA notes that perks letting teens move through GDL faster may actually raise crash risk [1].
A waiver changes the paperwork, not the experience your teen needs. The Oregon and Manitoba authors urged schools to encourage parents to supervise during the course and especially after it [4].
Supervision should not stop at the road test, since IIHS notes that crash risk is especially high in the first months of licensure [12]. Keep riding along on new routes. Limit teen passengers and night driving while skills grow [12].
Cost, access and insurance discounts
Cost shapes who gets trained. The lead author of the 2024 study noted that some teens who can’t afford behind the wheel lessons wait until 18, when they age out of the requirement [10].
In Columbus, Ohio, teens living in “driver training deserts” had a 33.2% chance of finishing training and getting licensed before 18, versus 57.7% elsewhere [11]. Those deserts are areas with lower incomes and poorer access to schools. The findings helped shape Ohio’s Drive to Succeed scholarship program [11].
To keep costs down without cutting quality:
- Ask your school district, state highway safety office and community groups about scholarships.
- Compare the price per hour of actual driving, not the package total.
- Ask whether single extra lessons are available if your teen needs more help.
CHOP suggests checking with your insurance company as you choose [9]. If a course earns a discount, treat it as a bonus and pick the course for its teaching quality.
Frequently asked questions
Does driver’s ed make teens safer drivers?
It can help, but the evidence is mixed. Older studies found no lasting crash benefit. Newer Oregon and Nebraska studies, however, found modest drops in crashes and violations [3, 4, 5]. Results depend on course quality and the practice that follows.
How many behind the wheel hours should my teen get?
Many courses offer about 6, while national standards call for at least 10 [1, 6]. Your state may require more or fewer, so check with your licensing agency.
Is online driver’s ed as good as in person classes?
Research comparing them is still limited. If you choose online, pick a course an instructor monitors, that checks identity, and that runs over weeks [6]. It never replaces behind the wheel lessons.
Should my teen take driver’s ed if our state doesn’t require it?
A quality course can build knowledge and habits. Oregon graduates had fewer convictions [4]. Pair it with GDL limits and plenty of supervised practice.
Does driver’s ed lower car insurance costs?
It may, but discounts vary by insurer. Ask your insurance company before you enroll [9].
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Pick a state approved program that meets national standards, keeps parents involved, and avoids shortcuts. Then plan far more supervised practice than your state requires. Keep riding along after the license.
Related articles
- Graduated driver licensing: a parent’s roadmap from permit to full license
- Supervised driving practice plan: a 6 stage guide for parents and teens
- Hazard perception for new drivers: how to scan and spot trouble early
- Is my teen ready to drive alone? A readiness checklist for parents
- ADHD, autism and learning to drive: a parent’s readiness guide
Sources and further reading
- 1National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Countermeasures That Work, 11th Edition (DOT HS 813 490), Young Drivers: Pre-Licensure Driver Education. November 2023. nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/…/pre-licensure
- 2National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Countermeasures That Work, 11th Edition (DOT HS 813 490), Young Drivers: Programs to Assist Parents/Guardians of Young Drivers. November 2023. nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/…/other-strategies-behavior-change-0
- 3Vernick JS, Li G, Ogaitis S, MacKenzie EJ, Baker SP, Gielen AC. Effects of High School Driver Education on Motor Vehicle Crashes, Violations, and Licensure. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 16(1), 1999. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749379798001159
- 4AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (Mayhew D, Marcoux K, Wood K, et al.). Evaluation of Beginner Driver Education Programs: Studies in Manitoba and Oregon. September 2014. aaafoundation.org/research/evaluation-beginner-driver-education-programs-studies-manitoba-oregon
- 5Shell DF, Newman IM, Córdova-Cazar AL, Heese JM. Driver Education and Teen Crashes and Traffic Violations in the First Two Years of Driving in a Graduated Licensing System. Accident Analysis & Prevention 82, September 2015. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457515001943
- 6Association of National Stakeholders in Traffic Safety Education (ANSTSE). Novice Teen Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards (NTDETAS), May 2023 Edition. anstse.info/nydetas-standards
- 7American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA). Novice Teen Driver Education Curriculum Standards: Classroom and In-Car Standards for Segment I and Segment II, 2023 (NTDETAS Attachment A). anstse.info/…/002-Attachment-A-ADTSEA-Standards.pdf
- 8National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Teen Driving. 2024 data; accessed October 2, 2026. nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving
- 9Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Teen Driver Source. Driving School Considerations. No date shown; accessed October 2, 2026. teendriversource.research.chop.edu/learning-to-drive/driving-school-considerations
- 10Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania. States Differ Widely in Requirements for Young Driver Training (on Walshe E, Romer D, Winston FK, Aagaard N, JAMA Network Open, 2024). June 17, 2024. annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/states-differ-widely-in-requirements-for-young-driver-training
- 11Dong X, Wu JS, Walshe EA, Winston FK, Ryerson MS. Residing in a Driver Training Desert Leads to Delayed Licensure. Findings, August 21, 2023. findingspress.org/article/85096
- 12Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Teenagers (research area). Updated August 2026. iihs.org/research-areas/teenagers
- 13Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Young Driver Safety. Updated May 2026. iihs.org/research-areas/teenagers/young-driver-safety
- 14Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Teens and Novice Drivers (state law summary). Laws last reviewed by state highway safety offices, June 2025. ghsa.org/state-laws-issues/teens-novice-drivers
- 15California Department of Motor Vehicles. Schools and Training (occupational licensing). October 13, 2023. dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/occupational-licensing/schools-and-training
This article reflects the safety priorities of driver education program design. It is general education, not legal or professional advice for any individual family or driver. Laws, programs and data change, so verify details with official sources. Reviewed October 2026.
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