Montgomery College's Driver Education program is a boon for parents

Boy ! Having a teenager ready for taking driving lessons can give many parent sleepless nights.   As part of the teen driver's procedure to get a provisional license after the learner's permit you have to take a driver education course which includes a 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. I did recollect that Montgomery College has a Driver Education program and of course it was my first choice.I love the Montgomery College and it has given me the opportunity to learn at my own pace so naturally I enrolled my kid also into this course.http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce/bits/driversafety.html

Montgomery College's Driver Education course consists 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours Behind the Wheel. The cost for the Driver Education course is $325.00; non-Maryland residents add $160.00. They send the results directly to the MVA and I was in the car for the 6 hours behind the wheel instruction and I am really impressed by the Montgomery College instructors for both the class room and the practical driving. Defensive driving, driving on the highways was part of the behind the wheel instruction.I would have probably been scared teaching my teen but sitting in the back seat and letting the instructor do the scary part. The Montgomery College instructor who taught my daughter was very patient and generated a lot of confidence. I would recommend this course for parents in the Montgomery country area for their teen drivers.

Just thought I would pass on a few other details of Rookie driver licensing in the Montgomery County.

• The first step was to go to the MVA and get the hand book. You can get a digital version here  of the Maryland Drivers Handbook and the Maryland MVA also offer a audio version here http://www.marylandmva.com/DriverServ/ROOKIEDRIVER/DriversGuide.html
• Details of how to get the learner's permit are here http://www.marylandmva.com/DriverServ/Apply/permit.htm
• Minimum age for applicants is 15 years and 9 months. if your kid is beloe 16 then a School Attendance Certification Form is required from the school.
• After going through the Maryland Drivers Handbook you take the vision test and knowledge test and once you pass you get the learners permit.
• You can practice the knowledge test here http://www.marylandmva.com/DriverServ/ROOKIEDRIVER/tutorial/Tutorial_intro.html
• The  Maryland Learners permit is for 2 years and  rookie/teen drivers apply for a provisional  license subject after 6 months and after completing :
• 60 hours of supervised driving of which 10 hours should be at night (30 minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunrise) . A Practice Skills Log  should be completed and signed  by parent or guardian, or mentor .
• Complete a standardized driver education course which includes a 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction
• Driving skills test for the provisional test can be booked in advance by calling 1-888-212-4709 for an appointment.

BTW - The MVA is doing a focus group for Parents of Teen drivers http://stko.maryland.gov/SafetyPrograms/YoungerDriver/tabid/97/Default.aspx and I hope you will complete the short survey complete our Parent/Guardian Survey on Teen Driving.

Comments and feedback appreciated. How did you teach your teen to drive. Share your expereinces.