Beginning in March, young adults looking to get their license after age 18 are responsible for taking courses taught differently than those who begin driving at age 15.
While waiting can make sense for economic reasons or because of time constraints, the Texas state legislature has found that the curricula that eases younger drivers into learning how to control cars safely doesn't apply to those who learn later in life.
Prospective drivers who are in school or working may find that the brick-and-mortar style of classes does not work well with their schedules. It may be hard to find space for a set of several hour classes in between shifts or taking care of family members.
Some
Texas driving schools are offering online alternatives that may provide the flexibilty for those candidates who need to obtain their license but otherwise would not be able to.
The self-study option includes nine modules at
GetDefensive.com. Students complete each section at their own pace and take a quiz to demonstrate understanding. At the end, if they can achieve a 70% grade on the 30-question final exam, they will receive a certificate which they can use at their local DPS center.
Going online may also make the sting of the new law slightly easier for those used to the old method of getting a license at age 18. Before, there was no coursework required and statistics linked the lack of education with a higher rate of motor vehicle accidents.
Now, companies like GetDefensive.com argue that while students will have to complete courses on driving safely and effectively, the online curriculum makes it a more interesting prospect thanks to the use of Flash videos and other media in the course design.
The new courses come as the state legislature has increased the time required behind the wheel for new drivers. The state has also eliminated the possibility of drivers who are looking to get their license after age 18 from being exempt from taking a practical exam. The loophole previously allowed those who attained the age of majority to get a license without testing for it.
Another benefit of the increased time learning about defensive driving tactics and other car control may be supplemented by a program called Teens in the Drivers Seat. It's a positive means of peer reinforcement that officials say puts teens in control by using peers to recognize positive driving techniques. They also argue that it may play a role, along with graduated licensing schemes, in lowering the rate of teen fatalities, the drivers who are most prone to be involved in accidents.
While drivers-to-be may complain that it now takes far more effort to become licensed in Texas than in their older siblings' or parents' time, the statistics support the new legislation: between 2002 and 2007, state figures show that teen driving fatalities dropped by roughly one-third. That means more than 200 teenage drivers are still safely operating on the highways today.