Driver's education

"Driver Ed" redirects here. For the episode of Veronica Mars, see Driver Ed (Veronica Mars).

"Driving school" redirects here. For other uses, see Driving School (disambiguation).

Driver's education, also known as driver's ed, driving education, driver training, or driving lessons, is a formal class or program that prepares a new driver to obtain a learner's permit or driver's license. The formal class program may also prepare existing license holders for an overseas license conversion, medical assessment driving test, or refresher course.

Driver student takes exercises in winter weather (Russia, 2002).

History

Driver training began as a business in the United Kingdom in 1909–1910. The British School of Motoring (BSM) was founded in 1910 in South London by Hugh Stanley Roberts.^[1][2]

In the United States, Amos Neyhart, a professor at Penn State University, started the first high school driver education course in 1934 at a high school in State College, Pennsylvania.^[3]

Curriculum

Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania training vehicle

Driving school bus in Brno, Czech Republic

Driver's education is intended to supplement knowledge from government driving manuals and prepares students for tests to obtain a driver's license or learner's permit. Programs include classroom instruction and in-car training. The classroom covers traffic laws, vehicle operation, and safe driving practices. In-car instruction offers hands-on experience, often in dual-controlled vehicles.

Online courses

Online driver's education allows students to progress at their own pace and is accepted in some jurisdictions.^[4][5][6]

Government regulations

In the United States, each state regulates driver education through its own transportation department. For example, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) sets rules for driver education, approves course providers, and allows point reduction and insurance benefits for course completion.^[7][8]

In Canada, each province or territory regulates driver education. Programs are often aligned with national guidelines developed by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA).^[9]

Effectiveness and incentives

The effectiveness of driver's education in reducing crash rates is debated. A 2012 NHTSA report found limited evidence that such programs reduce collisions among new drivers.^[10]

However, a 2011 study in *Accident Analysis & Prevention* found that driver training programs may reduce crash rates by about 5% in the first year of licensure.^[11]

A 2021 study by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia also found that drivers licensed at age 17 had 19% fewer crashes in their first two months compared to those licensed at 18, highlighting the benefits of earlier and more structured education.^[12]

See also

• Graduated driver licensing
• Defensive driving
• Traffic school
• High Performance Driver Education
• Driving Schools Association of the Americas
• Impact Teen Drivers