Preparing your Teenager for Driver Education and Driver Training
Teenage drivers get more tickets, are hurt and killed in greater numbers than other drivers. The DMV encourages parents to provide their teenagers with as much training and practice as outlined in the California DMV Parent-Teen Training Guide.
California law requires a person under the age of 18 to complete the following driver education and driver training courses:
- 25 hours of classroom instruction, or home study or Internet training program (must be equivalent to classroom instruction requirements).
- 6 hours of Behind-the-Wheel training.
- 50 hours of supervised driving practice that includes 10 hours of driving during darkness.
What to ask when looking for the right California driving school –
Do driving schools provide videos or movies as part of the driver education curriculum?
Yes. we must provide at least 100 minutes of actual viewing time. The videos or movies must relate to the driver education program and may contain graphic scenes of traffic accidents.
How long does it take to complete a driver education (classroom) program?
Your teenager must take a minimum of 25 hours of classroom training. The time it takes to complete a driver education program depends on the number of hours your teenager attends the class or spends studying the educational material. Review our classroom schedule for details.
How long does it take to complete a driver education (online) program?
This is a thirty (30) hour virtual classroom course on driver education designed for the State of California and approved by the California DMV. The time it takes to complete a driver education program depends on the number of hours your teenager attends the class or spends studying the educational material.
How long does it take to complete Behind-The-Wheel-Training – Driver Training?
Your teenager must complete six hours of actual behind-the-wheel (controlling the vehicle) training that does not exceed two hours per day. Observation time does not count toward the six hours of required training time.
The law does not specify the time period between training sessions. The time period between training sessions should allow enough time for practicing with your teenager. Here at Roadrunner we have a general schedule and suggest students do not allow more than 7-10 days between lessons.
Is more than one student allowed in the vehicle during a behind-the-wheel training session?
Although it is allowed by the DMV we at Roadrunner do not allow more the one student training at a time. If you request 2 students train together, the student who is actually behind-the-wheel and controlling the vehicle is the one who receives training credit.
Can I request a male or female instructor?
Yes, we always try to satisfy your request.
May I ride along with my teenager during behind-the-wheel training sessions?
We find new drivers focus better without the pressure and expectation of a parent in the car. Although there is no law that prohibits a parent from riding along with his/her teenager, we do not allow a parent ride-along for the benefit of the student.
Does the driving school have a specific route to follow during the behind-the-wheel training sessions?
Our general schedule is as follows:
Day 1: Morgan Hill/San Martin/Gilroy: Back roads, turns, intersections, lane changes
Day 2: San Jose or Hollister (no freeway), one-way streets & congestion
Day 3: Freeway driving, merging, lane changes, parallel parking and backing up.
Are the instructors allowed to take breaks or do personal business during behind-the-wheel training sessions?
No. Behind-the-wheel training time is used for instruction only.
May I request specific drop-off or pick-up locations for the training sessions?
Yes, we offer free after-school pick-up for Behind-the-wheel sessions from the following schools:
- Live Oak High School
- Sobrato High School
- Oakwood Country School
- Central High School
There are additional charges for home Pick up and/or Drop Off> see fees
What type of vehicle will the driving school use for training?
Roadrunner Driving Instructors use 2012 Ford Focus (2), late model Acura Integra (2), Mitsubishi Lancer, & Chevrolet Cavalier. The vehicles are equipped with dual controls; an instructor foot brake, and an additional rear view mirror. All training cars are automatic transmission. “Student Driver” stickers on rear of vehicles.
Driving schools do not have to use a certain type of vehicle.
Do the training vehicles undergo a safety inspection?
All behind-the-wheel training vehicles must undergo a yearly inspection. The inspection helps to ensure that the vehicle is in safe and proper mechanical condition.
Are the training vehicles insured?
Yes. We must maintain required bodily injury and property damage liability insurance on all training vehicles.
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