Receiving a permit as a teen is very exciting, as it is the first step to getting a driver’s license and is a sign of growing up. Once a teenager gets their permit, they can choose whether they want to take drivers’ ed. There are two options for drivers’ ed, in person or online.
In-Person Drivers’ Ed
People who decide to take in-person driving school, they must physically show up to a classroom to be taught by a teacher. Many students at Morgan are taking, or have taken in-person classes at Rae’s Driving School in Madison. Rae’s Driving School has a few locations in Connecticut: Madison, North Haven, Stonington, and Waterford. Rae’s Driving School also offers two different options for classes for 16-17 year olds. There is a 38 hour course which provides 30 hours in a classroom, and 8 hours behind the wheel. Each month there is a schedule of 15 classes that do not have to be completed in order but all need to be done to be eligible for a license. These classes give the learners 8 hours about drugs and alcohol safety, and have a required two-hour parent class. A permit is needed for 4 months before getting a license. The other option Rae’s offers is an 8-hour course. This course contains 4 two-hour classes, the 8-hour drug, alcohol, and safe driving course, and a parent class. To receive a license after participating in this specific course, the teenager must have their permit for 6 months, and needs to complete 40 hours behind the wheel with a parent or legal guardian.
Online Drivers’ Ed
Online drivers’ ed is another option for teenagers. Some students at Morgan take part in online classes at Crossroads based in Higganum CT, but is accessible for teens from all parts of Connecticut. Crossroads offers multiple programs, including 38, 30, and 8 hour courses. For people to participate in Crossroads’ Driving School, they must be at least 16 years old, and have a permit. Their 38 hour course gives the students 15 total lessons, completing 30 hours of online instruction. Each lesson is two hours long. In order for their students to get the right amount of behind the wheel practice, they create a driving schedule that works around the student’s school and extracurricular activities.
Morgan’s New Drivers
Morgan has been gaining many new drivers recently. Some students have been taking online courses for driver’s ed, and others have been taking in-person classes. Sophomores David Marszalek and Addy Reed shared their experiences driving and their opinions of driver’s ed.
David Marszalek is a student at Rae’s Driving School in Madison, CT. He received his learner’s permit on February 14th, and is eligible to be tested for his driver’s license on June 12th. He currently is a student at Rae’s Driving School in Madison, and is almost done with his course. A class at Rae’s always starts off with a short test before the head instructor Mark teaches material in the driver’s manual. Lastly, every class ends with a video connected to the lesson, and sometimes some extra quizzes and worksheets to help the students. David said he enjoys driving because it is calming, but dislikes being behind the wheel for long periods of time because it can become boring. He is confident in his driving, but struggles to park and finds himself needing to fix his parking job multiple times. David can’t wait to get his driver’s license because it will make getting to and from work a lot easier. He is planning on buying a Jeep Wrangler for his first car. He recommended going to in-person driver’s ed because he personally enjoyed his experience with Rae’s, and taking the classes is a good way to meet new people.
Addy Reed is one of the Morgan students that chose to complete online schooling for driver’s ed. She decided to complete online school with Crossroads out of Killingworth because it is much easier to do while having a busy schedule with sports. Addy participates in club soccer and track, and is a part of the Morgan Girls Soccer and the Girls Track team. She said that online classes take less time because there is no need to drive somewhere, and she can do it from the comfort of her own home. At Crossroads, there are scheduled classes and two time slots: one at 2:45pm and another at 6:30. The 38-hour course cycles through 15 classes that, like Rae’s, can be taken out of order. Addy shared that a typical lesson consists of logging onto Zoom where teachers share their screen to present to the class. Normally they include an informational video at the end of each class, and some classes have short tests the students complete as well. Each instructor teaches one class on a specific day of the week. Therefore, there is the same teacher every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday class. Addy recommends taking online classes that prospective drivers take online classes if they are someone who is always running around and busy with sports, or other activities after school.
Students who want to take a driver’s ed course, must first pass their learner’s permit test. To sign up for a knowledge and vision test for a learner’s permit, use this link to Old Saybrook DMV. Students can choose to take driver’s ed and take their driver’s test after having a permit for 4 months. Those who don’t take a driver’s ed course, must wait 6 months. However, no matter what it is necessary to take an 8-hour drug and alcohol safety course unless you are over 18.
