| Virtually every teenager will do it; take a drivers | | | | prepared! Simply taking a photocopied certificate will |
| education course to obtain their learners permit and | | | | not work for most states. You should be prepared |
| eventually an unrestricted drivers license. Most states | | | | for this very early on in your drivers education |
| have requirements that must be met for a teen to | | | | training. If need by, contact the state where you |
| get their learners permit.What is a learners permit?A | | | | were born to obtain a certified copy if you do not |
| learners permit is a special permit issued by a State | | | | have one, or your original certificate.Social Security |
| Department of Motor Vehicles (often referred to as | | | | Card. Make sure you have your social security card. |
| DMV, but some states have varying titles) office for | | | | Most metropolitans have a local Social Security Office |
| teenagers to begin "behind the wheel" drivers | | | | where you can quickly go and obtain an SSN card if |
| education training. For many states, the average age | | | | you've lost your original. Again, make sure you have |
| you can apply for a learners permit is 15. However, | | | | this early on.Glasses or contacts. You will be required |
| there are a few states where you can apply as early | | | | to take an eye exam when applying for your drivers |
| as 14 and as late as 16 years of age. Different states | | | | license. Be sure to bring your glasses or wear your |
| have different requirements. For example, there are | | | | contacts to the DMV office.Proof of completion of a |
| a few states that have no formal requirements, | | | | state approved drivers education course. If you are |
| where as most require initial written testing of driving | | | | taking a local classroom drivers education course, |
| basics. Six to eight hours of classroom (or approved | | | | they should provide you with a certificate. You should |
| home training course) is typically required.Drivers | | | | always be sure they are certified by the state, if |
| Education TrainingOnce you've achieved your initial | | | | your state requires such certification. If you have |
| learners permit, you can expect to continue your | | | | taken a state approved home study course, such as |
| classroom study, but can typically begin your "behind | | | | a parent taught course issued by some states, or a |
| the wheel" training with an adult; usually a drivers | | | | third party software training course, they will provide |
| education instructor or parent. During this time, most | | | | you with a certificate of completion.Proof of |
| states require a certain number of hours of "behind | | | | insurance. Check with your local DMV. Some states |
| the wheel" experience. You'll learn many of the | | | | require this, some states may not. You should have |
| basics, such as: stopping, watching for traffic around | | | | the minimum insurance required for your state, usually |
| you, turning, identifying various traffic signs, how to | | | | liability insurance. Be prepared to present proof of |
| parallel park and more. Don't take these for granted! | | | | insurance to the DMV clerk.Proof of enrollment in High |
| Your initial drivers education training can set an | | | | School. Many states require that you be enrolled in |
| important track for your driving record.The trip to | | | | school and have proof of enrollment to obtain a |
| your local DMVOnce you've completed an approved | | | | drivers license under the age of 18. Your school will |
| drivers education course, you'll be issued a license. | | | | have the necessary form and can provide it for you |
| This varies from state to state. Some allow you to | | | | to take to the DMV office. In cases where you may |
| complete a drivers education course while 15, but | | | | no longer be in school, and have opted for a GED, |
| must wait until you are 16 years of age to obtain a | | | | make sure you bring your GED certificate with |
| license. Still others impose conditions for a new driver, | | | | you.These are the typical things you will need to take |
| such as limited hours of driving, driving with an adult | | | | to your local DMV office when applying for your |
| of a certain age, etc. Your local DMV office will let | | | | drivers license. Of course, each state can vary and |
| you know any special provisions.Before you get your | | | | you can visit your State's DMV website for more |
| license, there are some things you should know | | | | specific information.Drivers Education SoftwareMore |
| about that will be necessary to receive your drivers | | | | and more states are offering modern alternatives to |
| license. DMV offices are very strict about | | | | the typical classroom drivers education courses. Some |
| documentation you must present to get your license. | | | | states offer a parent taught drivers education where |
| You should always check with them first and even | | | | students can study and test at home, as well as |
| get a checklist. Typical items you will need to bring to | | | | "behind the wheel" with a parent or legal guardian. |
| your local DMV office to obtain your drivers | | | | Many states are now allowing students to take an |
| license:Your original birth certificate, or a certified | | | | approved CD ROM based or online course. |
| copy of your birth certificate with a state seal. Be | | | | |