The 2024 Spring Online Drivers Education course for students aged 15 and a half to 18 years old recently closed after being open for a few weeks.
This course was open to all CUSD students who are at least 15 years old by May 23, 2024. It is equivalent to a regular 30-hour classroom course and has been examined and authorized by the Licensing Operations Division of the DMV. Completion of these courses is needed to obtain a permit and then practice driving behind the wheel.
This is the classroom section in the process of obtaining a permit, not the behind-the-wheel course. Those who successfully complete this course, which includes an online exam, will receive an official DMV Certificate of Completion.
Anika Chandran (11) shared that for her, “The driver education program was an extremely easy course that only took me a couple of hours to complete. Since it was extremely easy I didn’t do it to learn, I honestly did it to get it done. When I was studying for the actual permit test, all the historical things they taught me were completely useless. I ultimately didn’t feel that the driver’s education program was helpful.”
This course covers information regarding traffic laws, the responsibilities of the driver, road safety and how to avoid accidents. This program accounts for 30 hours or two and half semester periods of classroom instruction.
Kaiya Tadokoro (11) shared, “I think the drivers education program was fairly easy and not extremely difficult. The program I took focused on safety and how to avoid accidents rather than material from the DMV handbook, but it increased my knowledge on driving overall.”
This program is offered every spring semester and sophomores and above are encouraged to partake so they can obtain their permit during the summer. Upon completion of the online portion, students are mailed a certificate that is needed by the DMV to ensure that the student is prepared to take the permit test.
Kaiya added that “the program itself wasn’t extremely helpful simply because the permit test is mainly based on the DMV handbook and my program did not cover that material. However, I think it could potentially give new drivers a good introduction to driving. I think it could be a way for people to learn more about driving without having to get on the road with overwhelming emotions like fear, etc. Overall, the program wasn’t extremely helpful in terms of the test, but it was also a good learning experience that helped me better understand the consequences and dangers of driving.”
While there are many programs that offer the drivers education course, taking it through the high school guarantees that it is free.
The state requires the course to be 30 hours long, but completion may be quicker depending on if you are a fast learner.
Despite registration closing through the school, there are other drivers education programs that are the perfect first step for those planning on getting their driver’s license.
