One of the reasons people are hesitant to sign up for the new driver training courses is because of the cost. Driving lessons cost more money than a parent or friend teaching a student to drive, but the extra cost is worth it. Learning to drive is an adventure, so why not start off on the right foot? Here is why driving school is worth the cost.

What is Included?

There are many elements involved in teaching a student how to drive. Classroom instruction, quizzes, and learning the laws is an important part of learning to drive, but it isn’t enough alone. When students pass through the driving school, the fees do help pay the instructor, but they also require:

• Practice driving a car
• Supplies for the class
• Road testing & knowledge testing (**This is not always included in the price and is offered in some states)
• Practice tests

These costs help ensure that each student receives a full, comprehensive education. Having a firm understanding of the laws and how to operate a car means better driving throughout life. This can save money down the line with fewer tickets for parking and traffic violations.

Driving school can also save money for parents and students every month. Many insurance companies will offer a discount for drivers who have enrolled in a driving school that covers defensive driving skills. This leads to insurance companies processing fewer claims allowing them to pass the savings down to you. Take into account that discounted savings each month, and it starts to add up fast.

Other Benefits of Paying for Driving School

There is more worth to an education than just paying a driving school. Driving hours are required to get a driver’s license once a permit is obtained.

These practice hours are done during daytime and nighttime hours for plenty of practice with a licensed driver in the passenger seat. This helps students feel more prepared once they get their license to drive without supervision and drive alone with confidence.

Driving for the required number of hours together can make or break a relationship. For parents and teenagers, trying to teach the teen how to drive can cause frustration for both parties. Having a neutral, third-party teacher in charge of teaching can ease the tension, putting parents in the role of cheerleaders. This helps parents and teens keep a more positive relationship during driving lessons.

Another benefit of having a driving instructor instead of a parent teaching a teen student to drive is that sometimes it is hard to listen to and take instruction from someone you are comfortable with. Teens are often less likely to listen to their parents’ advice or brush constructive criticism off as overbearing and controlling. Having a driving instructor as the teacher shows clear lines of authority and an expectation of respectful behavior.

For adult driving lessons, learning to drive through a driving school is ideal too. It can all be done quickly and without the help of a friend. Self-study for driving from a manual is difficult, knowing which areas to focus on and having practice questions to run through. Having someone to give helpful advice and instruction is beneficial for new adult drivers.

Experience Matters

Teaching a new driver how to operate a car safely and to really know the rules of the road is a big task. Driving instructors are better equipped to teach students because they have been trained on the best ways to teach and have experience doing it.

Rather than just trying to figure things out as they go, instructors are a helpful resource for driver’s education and the licensing process. They stay up to date on changes in laws too. Using a driving school to learn to drive really is the best way route to take.

Owning a car is a big responsibility at any age. One of the best things you can do to extend the life of your vehicle is to make sure maintenance is done regularly. If your driver’s education course covers car maintenance, it is important to look at your own car and figure out how everything applies to your specific vehicle to learn best.

Here are some of the basic routine car maintenance items you should know how to do in your car.

1. Change the oil

This is considered one of the most basic car maintenance items because it needs to be done often. Oil helps lubricate the engine parts to keep them from grinding and destroying the engine.

Over time, the oil gets dirty and leads to build up, which also causes damage from parts rubbing together. Consult your owner’s manual for frequency on oil changes and the best type of oil to use.

2. Checking tire pressure

The main part keeping your vehicle moving on and off the road is the wheels. Without even one, you’re stuck.

The best way to prevent damage is to check the pressure about once a month. Keep a pressure gauge in your glove box so it is also handy when you need it. The recommended PSI for tire pressure is located on the driver’s door jamb, in the owner’s manual, and usually on the tires themselves.

While you are checking them, look for any nails, sticks, or other debris stuck in them. Also, add the spare tire to your list of tires to check so that it is ready if you ever need it.

3. Monitor fluids

Motor oil isn’t the only fluid in the car that needs regular checking. Every now and then, you should pop the hood and check the transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid. Each has its own compartment with a dip stick or cap to check the levels.

Make sure there are no leaks or cracks in the containers and that the levels are adequate.

4. Examine the hoses and belts

The hoses are responsible for making sure fluids are carried to their appropriate locations, preventing over-heating and keeping things running smoothly. Check each for any cracks, leaks, or bulges. If you find any hoses with these traits, they need to be replaced.

Next, locate the belts. Most cars and SUVs require a belt to keep them running, which means it is very important. If you notice any tears, rips, cracks, glazing, or chunks missing, it needs to be replaced.

5. Keep the battery clean

While you are under the hood checking fluids, hoses, and belts, just look at the battery to make sure the connectors are clean.

If you notice corrosion, mix baking soda with a little water and apply it to a wire brush. Scrub around the connectors lightly and wipe clean.

6. Change the windshield wipers

Windshield wiper blades help keep your vision clear during storms. It is best to check them a few times a year to make sure they are functioning before you’re in a storm. It is time to replace them if they leave streaks on the glass or make a screeching sound while operating.

This is a very basic list, but there are other things you should know like how to jump a car battery and how to change a headlight or taillight. The more maintenance you know how to do on your own, the less money you will have to pay a professional to do it for you.

No matter who does it, just make sure that car maintenance is done on time to prevent problems from happening.

As the colder weather sets in, it is a good time to start getting your car ready for winter. This is helpful if you live in a cold weather place or if you are planning to travel to colder weather for the holidays. Here is a checklist for getting your car winter ready.

1. Get an oil change.

Oil gets thicker as the weather gets colder, making it harder to keep your engine properly lubricated. It is more important than ever to make sure that you don’t go over the recommended limit, according to your owner’s manual. If you are close and winter is approaching, use this as a time to get it changed anyway.

2. Change your wiper blades.

The last place you want to be when you discover your wiper blades need to be replaced is in a storm. Keep your visibility clear by checking and changing your wiper blades as the weather cools down.

3. Have a car checkup.

Take your car into a trusted mechanic and have them give your car a checkup. They can check the battery’s ability to hold a charge and its connectors for corrosion. Look over the belts and hoses for wear and leaks. Cold weather can be hard on these car parts and making sure they are in good enough condition to last the season.

4. Check your tires.

One of the more important things your car needs during bad weather is good tires. There are two important qualities you are checking for on your tires, the tread, and the pressure.

The tread is important because the less you have, the less traction you will have on the road. When driving through wet or icy conditions, traction is important in keeping control of your car.

Tire pressure is also important for traction. In colder weather, the pressure will drop slightly, making the ability to control your car more difficult. If you live in an area that often gets deep snow, consider switching to snow tires or carrying chains around just in case you need them.

5. Try your four-wheel drive.

Most drivers don’t use four-wheel drive during the summer months, so make sure it is working properly by turning it on before you need it. Review how to turn it on and check that it engages and disengages easily.

6. Mix your antifreeze.

Antifreeze is critical to making sure that your radiator doesn’t freeze, even in arctic temperatures. Having the correct mixture of antifreeze and water is critical. Talk to a trusted mechanic or to help check and mix it correctly and to properly dispose of your old antifreeze.

7. Prepare for the worst.

Keep extra items in your car that might be required on the road, such as an extra pair of wiper blades, equipment to change a tire, a flashlight, water bottles, and some snacks. If possible, also have an external charger for your phone, just in case you need it.

These steps are a great starting checklist for getting your car ready for winter. If you talk to a mechanic or think of other things you can do to help prepare, make your own list. Keep a list somewhere safe so you can refer to it next winter.

During the holidays, there are a lot of parties for family, neighborhoods, work, and more. At many of these functions, there is alcohol being served, which leads to some dangerous situations.

The day before Thanksgiving kicks off the season of drunk drivers. It is even called “Black Wednesday” because it is such a popular drinking holiday. Bars are often busy with college students just out from school for the break and as people get ready to spend the next day with family. From Black Wednesday to New Year’s Day, with spikes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve, account for the days with the most extreme alcohol consumption. No matter what day you are out celebrating, here are some tips for driving responsibly with holiday drinking.

Make a plan.

If you know that you are going to be drinking at a party, have a ride arranged before you go. Family and friends can all switch off being the designated driver so that everyone gets to enjoy drinking at some point.

Another option is to arrange to have a friend pick you up and bring you home if they are in the area. If you don’t have someone to be your designated driver and still want to drink, be prepared to get a ride home by calling a ride share service or cab.

Know what you’re drinking.

A lot of parties have punch bowls full of pre-mixed drinks. Some are alcoholic, some are not. If you plan to drive yourself home, don’t make assumptions about what you’re drinking. Always ask the party host what is in the drink before you grab a glass and ask for something non-alcoholic if you’re driving.

Don’t drink too much.

If you know that you are going to a party to drink, remember to drink responsibly. Decide how much you are going to drink beforehand, sip your drink, and make sure you eat food with your beverage. A good rule of thumb is one drink per hour while eating food to help metabolize the alcohol best.

The purpose of holiday parties isn’t just to get drunk or a way to cope with family drama. Having too much alcohol can impair more than your ability to drive, but also your judgement. Drinking responsibly can help you stick to the safety plan you made before going to the party.

Take care of others.

While it isn’t required that you make sure no one drinks and then drives a car, it is great to have someone watching out. Offer to give a friend, coworker, or family member a ride home if you notice that they have been drinking.

If giving a ride is inappropriate or they refuse the offer, help arrange a different way for them to get home. As the old tagline says, “friends don’t let friends drive drunk” and you could save a life by keeping them from behind the wheel of a car.

Just because you choose to drive responsibly during the holidays doesn’t mean that you won’t have any fun. Take time to celebrate and enjoy the season but do it while being smart. Don’t ever drive if you have been drinking and do what you can to encourage others to be responsible too.

Parallel parking is a required part of driver’s education. Since many students have heard it is difficult, they are scared to even try it. While it does take some skill to master this parking maneuver, it is possible to do it with some practice, patience, and confidence. If you remember the following five steps to parallel parking, you can not only do it the right way but also feel comfortable doing it.

Watch the Space

Too many drivers make parallel parking difficult for themselves by choosing a spot that isn’t big enough for their vehicle. Before you even try to pull into a spot, make sure it has enough space that you feel comfortable trying to park there. One great way to see if it’s big enough is to notice how big your car is as you are slowly passing the spot. Will you have enough space to straighten out your car in the spot? Is there space for the cars in front and behind you to get out without hitting your car?

If you see that it will be a tight fit, keep driving. It might take some extra time to find another spot or walk to your destination, but it is worth avoiding the damage or holding up traffic.

Signal and Position

It’s important that you let the cars around you know that you intend to park in the open spot, so turn on your blinker toward the curb. Pull up next to the car you will park behind, lining up your back bumper to theirs. This helps you get in the right angle to pull your car in quickly and easily.

Look and Steer

Use your rearview mirrors and look over your right shoulder to get a clear view of the area as you back up. Slowly direct your car to the back-right corner of the parking spot. As you become lined up with the vehicle’s rear bumper in front of you, start to straighten out your vehicle while continuing to back up slowly.

Center the Wheel

Once you are in the parking space, turn your wheel left to straighten it out. Double check that you won’t hit the bumper of the car in front of you as you finish pulling in.

Center Your Car

Adjust your vehicle so that you are centered between the two cars, making sure that once again, they both have the space they need to pull out of their parking spot without hitting your vehicle.

Once these five simple steps are complete, you can safely exit your car and go on with your business. Learning which spots you can fit into and how to do the steps properly will take time. The good news is that the more you practice, the easier it will become.

If it makes you more comfortable, practice with orange cones before trying to park between actual cars. Stay calm while you park and before you know it, you will be parallel parking like a professional.