HOUSTON – It’s finally here!
Once you blow out those candles on your 15th birthday, you are finally able to legally start learning to drive! Exciting huh? However, as Spiderman says “with great power comes great responsibility”, and driving, as exciting as it is, involves a lot of responsibility, and it is important to understand the risks involved with driving, the basic safety rules, most importantly, how to enroll in driving school, here in Texas.
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Steps in enrolling in driving school in Texas
First step of any driver’s journey—obtaining a learner’s permit. To obtain a learner’s permit, you must be at least 15 years old.
Then you must choose a teen driver’s education program, and once you’ve done this, you can start looking for Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation approved schools.
How to find the right driving school
To find out which schools are TDLR approved, you can check the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation list, which can be found on the website. Once you have shown that you meet all eligibility requirements, you must go through lessons and/or modules, and once you get through those you must pass your permit test.
If you pass, you will be given a certificate that you must take to the Texas Department of Public Safety, along with more identification, when they issue your permit. You may then use your permit to practice driving, and then once you have completed your required practice hours, and taken the written and driving portion of the test, you may then get your license.
However, in order to get your license, you must be 16 years old. The license you are given at 16 is called a provisional license, and must be renewed on your 18th birthday. After your 18th birthday, you must renew your license every 8 years.
Road safety for teens
Now that you know how the process of obtaining a permit and license works, let’s talk about road safety.
Every year, thousands of lives are taken by car accidents and careless driving, so in order to protect yourself and others, it is important to follow the basic safety rules.
First and foremost, the rule that you have been taught since you were little. Always remember to wear a seatbelt. If a car comes behind and hits you, your seatbelt will be able to hold you back and reduce the chances of you getting hurt. If you don’t wear your seatbelt, it could result in serious consequences with the police, and you definitely don’t want that. So, bottom line, wear your seatbelt, it’s not optional and it never has been.
Another really important rule to keep in mind is to never ever drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. First of all, alcohol and drugs can mess with your mind, and cause you to make reckless decisions, and ultimately someone’s life will end up paying the price for your choice. Along with the possibility of hurting yourself and hurting others, you could also face legal consequences and possibly getting your license revoked.
Has your teacher ever told you to put your phone up in class because it is a distraction? Well guess what? Phones are a distraction on the road to. If you’re not paying attention, someone could hit you, or you could end up hitting someone else unintentionally, or you could miss signs and signals on the road that are designed to protect you. For the sake of your own life, and someone else’s put the phone away. That text from your friend can wait, but the world can’t.
Driving is an experience that many teenagers look forward to. However, just like a phone, driving is a privilege, not a right, and one wrong choice can take that privilege away, so make sure you are making the right choices and remember to always pay attention to signs and signals and in general be cautious.
The world is a scary and wild place. Be prepared for any challenges it might throw at you.