<p>Are they even worth it? Would it be better if I just learned from say my dad? I already have the certificate to claim a permit when I am 17.</p>
<p>Driving lessons can provide a discount for car insurance, so i would say its worth it.</p>
<p>I didn't take them. They were a waste of time in my opinion.</p>
<p>I did take a practice driving test before the real one though, which was helpful.</p>
<p>I don't regret driver's ed. I am taking a one week class. 6 hrs. It's grueling, but it's not bad. </p>
<p>Everyone's situation is different. Will I have attended school for insurance? No. The discount percentage is in the single digits where I live. That's not an incentive considering what I pay for driver's ed. </p>
<p>If you do not attend driver's ed and your dad teaches you to drive, review the manual. Attending driver's ed, I am surprised how many people do not know the rules of the road. As an adult, your dad can get away with unsafe practices. During your road test, you cannot. In driving school, the information does not seem voluminous. On your own, it may. The manual is tedious. </p>
<p>Look at your situation. I will not have taken driver's ed had it been more than one week, had I not been able to fulfill my observation and driving hours quickly, and had it been too expensive. I will have waited until I am 18 and take the road test. </p>
<p>Pj</p>
<p>I agree with Private<em>Joker--I think driver ed is a good way to go. I personally didn't learn much, but supposedly you can. Like Private</em>Joker said, adults don't always follow every rule and it's good to know the technical crap.</p>
<p>I think driving lessons might be a waste of money, but I don't know much about them. No one I know of has ever taken them. The most important thing is to just practice driving A LOT. Once you're comfortable driving it's not hard.</p>
<p>I took a two-week class during the summer. It was tedious at times, but I absolutely think it was worth it. The class I took was taught by a retired cop, and probably the most valuable part of it for me -- more than the actual information, which was pretty straightforward -- was hearing the (often very graphic) stories of accidents he'd investigated, many of which could have been easily avoided had it not been for silly mistakes and bad decisions. When I actually started driving afterwards I was much more aware of the risks, which in a way helped me feel safer (and more confident about trusting my own judgment). I don't know if that will be the case for you, but I'm glad I took the class.</p>
<p>In short, I agree with Private_Joker.</p>
<p>To get your drivers liscense do u need to take a class? I have taken the classroom portion, but not Behind the Wheel where u actually get to drive.</p>
<p>It depends on the state. Maryland requires 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel lessons, but DC hardly has any requirements.</p>
<p>In CA you have to have some form of this... I think it really should be mandatory, at least for places with high traffic and a lot of out-of-area drivers.</p>
<p>Just my opinion...</p>
<p>If you take it, maybe just the Behind-the-Wheel... you will probably be a better driver for it.</p>
<p>In NY you have to take a 5 hour pre-licensing course</p>