Driver's education, also known as driver's ed, driving education, driver training, or driving lessons, is a formal class or program that prepares a new driver to obtain a

learner's permit A driver's permit, learner's permit, student permit, learner's license or provisional license is a restricted license that is given to a person who is learning to driving, drive, but has not yet satisfied the prerequisite to obtain a driver's lic ...

driver's license A driver's license, driving licence, or driving permit is a legal authorization, or the official document confirming such an authorization, for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles—such as motorcycles, ca ...

. The formal class program may also prepare existing license holders for an overseas license conversion, medical assessment driving test, or refresher course.

History

Driver training began as a business in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

in 1909–1910. The British School of Motoring (BSM) was founded in 1910 in

South London South London is the southern part of Greater London, England, south of the River Thames. The region consists of the Districts of England, boroughs, in whole or in part, of London Borough of Bexley, Bexley, London Borough of Bromley, Bromley, Lon ...

by Hugh Stanley Roberts. In the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, Amos Neyhart, a professor at Penn State University, started the first high school driver education course in 1934 at a high school in State College,

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

Curriculum

Driver's education is intended to supplement knowledge from government driving manuals and prepares students for tests to obtain a

. Programs include classroom instruction and in-car training. The classroom covers traffic laws, vehicle operation, and safe driving practices. In-car instruction offers hands-on experience, often in dual-controlled vehicles.

Online courses

Online driver's education allows students to progress at their own pace and is accepted in some jurisdictions.

Government regulations

In the United States, each state regulates driver education through its own transportation department. For example, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) sets rules for driver education, approves course providers, and allows point reduction and insurance benefits for course completion. In Canada, each province or territory regulates driver education. Programs are often aligned with national guidelines developed by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA).

Effectiveness and incentives

The effectiveness of driver's education in reducing crash rates is debated. A 2012 NHTSA report found limited evidence that such programs reduce collisions among new drivers. However, a 2011 study in *Accident Analysis & Prevention* found that driver training programs may reduce crash rates by about 5% in the first year of licensure. A 2021 study by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia also found that drivers licensed at age 17 had 19% fewer crashes in their first two months compared to those licensed at 18, highlighting the benefits of earlier and more structured education.

References

External links

European Driving Schools Association
{{DEFAULTSORT:Driver's Education Driver's education Driving Road safety Vocational education