Many middle school parents and students have not thought much about the process of getting a driver’s license. They often associate getting a driver’s license with high school. But waiting until high school can really delay the process. The reality is that 8th grade is actually the time for parents and students to start preparing.

Time for What?

The process of getting a driver’s license is much more complicated than it was 15 or 20 years ago. Many parents are surprised or confused by the steps now necessary to get a driver’s license.

Here are the requirements to get a driver’s license in Colorado:

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Must have held an instruction permit for a minimum of 12 months (under 18)
• Logged at least 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an instructor from a state approved driving school (under 16 ½)
• Logged at least 50 hours of driving, including at least 10 at night
• Passed a road driving test

So, it is technically possible for a teenager to get a license at 16, but he or she needs to be ahead of the game. In order to complete a driver education course, log 50 hours of driving, and have an instruction permit for at least a year, a new driver will have to have a learner’s permit at 15. To get that, he or she needs to have a driving education course at 14 ½.

This is why middle school is not too early to start thinking ahead. Many 8th graders will be 14 ½ during the course of the year, which means they could start taking driving education courses in preparation to get a permit at 15, and, ultimately, a full license at 16. If teens wait too long to get started, though, they could end up having to wait until they are 16 ½, or even later, to get a license.

A New Program for 8th Graders and Their Parents

American Driving Academy is excited to be offering an educational program for middle school parents, students, and administrators to help explain the process and the training we offer. The purpose of the Is It Time? program is to:

• create awareness
• provide some clarity
• and answer questions

This will enable parents and their teenagers can make informed choices about their driving goals.

The program is available to any middle school and can be tailored to fit the needs of the student population. Full presentations are available as well as printed handouts. Our program can also discuss safety concerns—like texting and driving—that can’t be stressed soon enough with new drivers.

If you want your middle school to get involved, please contact us right away. We’d be glad to explain the program in more detail. In addition, American Driving Academy offers a full range of driving education courses for students of all ages, including new drivers starting at age 14 ½.

If you are a parent of an eighth grader, or involved with a middle school, now is the time to start planning ahead! Give American Driving Academy a call today!