In Connecticut, at the age of 16, residents are eligible to get a learner’s permit, which can be a big milestone for many teenagers. Once someone passes their permit test they can start driver’s ed or wait six months to go for the dreadful road test. It can be a very stressful time, fearing failure and having to wait even longer to experience all the perks and freedoms of being a licensed driver. The best thing to do to help maintain stress during this time is to be as prepared as possible. Many teens are stuck on the choice whether to take driver’s ed or not; from personal experience, I feel driver’s ed prepares you to be a better driver than just learning from a parent or guardian. Instructors go over all the rules of the road and actually taking road lessons helps a new driver to get real driving experience. Driver’s ed also includes many other benefits other than just giving a permit holder the best chance to pass the road test.

So many different things go on during one driver’s ed class; a majority of time time is spent watching old educational videos from the 90’s and making jokes about all the ridiculous outfits. However, driving on the road is a completely different experience. The student does all of the driving, and if they are ever in a panic the instructor has a break on the passenger side to keep everyone safe. During a basic lesson, the student will hit all the basics: backing in, pulling in, three point turns, and the dreadful parallel parking. Instructors will also drive you down different types of roads; they will take students on the highway, small back roads, and throughout town. Both road and classroom lessons are two hours long.

Taking driver’s ed can help with insurance costs, allow drivers to get their license sooner, prepare for what to expect from other driver’s on the road, and learn very important skills to be a successful driver for the rest of your life. Some disadvantages to not taking driver’s ed is the wait time to go for your road test increases, and new driver’s miss out on a good learning opportunity. The benefits of driver’s ed outweigh the disadvantages. When making the big decision make a pros and cons list and think into the future and how prepared you will be, not just for your road test, but for the rest of you life.

Anna Leandri, Staff Writer

Sophomore Anna Leandri is a staff writer for the 2017-2018 Colonel and a serious Harry Potter addict. When she’s not eating Moe’s, she’s practicing volleyball and track plotting how to defeat all of her friends and family in various board games.