Over a year ago, I embarked on a new type of study,
Drum Roll Please…
Teaching Driver’s Education at home, in Texas.
AND my son and I both survived despite the speed bumps that sometimes popped up along the way.
However, we both learned some lessons that I wanted to share with other parents who decide to go the “home teaching” method. Now that I am teaching my second son – we are doing some things a little different.
5 Helpful Informative Mistakes I made Teaching Driver’s Education
In the great state of Texas, forms are a must! When we first started out with driver’s education, you had to wait two weeks for Texas to approve the teacher. This meant you had to send $20. and informational forms off and then wait to be approved and then wait for a packet to be sent to you.
Now a huge and delightful update has occurred as of September 2015: you pay with a credit card and the packet is sent via email. It took less than 4 hours to receive it and again the ball was in my court to choose the best program for our family. The prices range for the curricula from $70 to way over $300. We needed feasible, user friendly and all based on the internet not book-work!
- My first mistake: Not researching all the programs that were offered (in Texas – you have only a certain amount of approved courses.) We chose one of the cheapest yet still good but if I had done more research, my entire family would have received an discount had I chosen America’s Drivers Ed. (I get NO money for saying anything about this product!)
First student is $99, the second $79, the third $50, and every student in your immediate family after that is completely free. There are no time restrictions.
Can you say awesome when you have 5 kids?! Although, you still have to pay for the packet from the state of Texas which is still about $20. or so. This is still a savings of $100 by my 5th child! Whoop!
- My 2nd mistake would be not keeping a fingernail file in every car. When a mom files her nails, it keeps her busy and not digging her nails into the leather seats or other things moms could do that would make her driver totally freak out. It makes me the driver feel at ease even though the mom could possibly be having a minor stroke or three when the said driver is going around a curve a little to fast or other initial driving mishaps.
- 3rd mistake would be NOT reading correctly the Texas forms and forgetting ones that proved where I lived, because who has time for legal mumbo jumbo?!
When one goes to the DPS office, have the correct forms!
Let me repeat!
When one goes to the DPS office, have the correct forms!
I used a water bill (in my name, not my spouses), voter registration card and driver’s license. Plus, other forms included for my son, birth certificate, social security card and I think his school ID. Have these in a file before you go! AND the VOE – Important, even for homeschoolers.
- 4th mistake – Not calling the DPS and making an appointment the month before he turned 16. In Texas, there is a line of waiting. You must schedule a driving test a month in advance, depending on which DPS office you use. For some reason, we were not in a big hurry with my eldest to get his license. We knew our insurance would jump up in price – which it did, like over double the amount.
Money Saving Hint – Shop around for car insurance! Ask for discounts including good grades or multi-line discounts!
- 5th mistake – not teaching him to drink and drive. I don’t mean alcohol. I mean taking sips of water or soda. On long car rides, drinks are a must! I taught him to keep his hands on the wheel at all times and this was not reality. I want him to be able to steer correctly – even if his focus gets blurred. I guess I want him to drive relaxed and to do well, like real people. People who drink with to-go cups.
One more thing – we chose the concurrent method versus the block teaching method. Concurrent means you start driving after having 6 hours of learning (the laws.) I have some friends who have chosen the block method. I suppose it has to do with the child and how they learn. My kids are like me and learn by doing versus reading about it. Plus, they can’t wait to get behind the wheel!
I’m sure I will learn more mistakes with the 2nd born and my other children. That is the beauty of having a large family. Although, I would love to learn beforehand from someone who has been down this road before!
No matter how much I learn, I still feel like a babe who knows nothing.
So, please feel free to share your wisdom with me in the comments!
Blessings to you! You are loved!
