Drive Politely

When your teen has their driver's license, and you no longer have to schedule your day around theirs, you might be wondering "now that I have this free time, what can I do?" Don't worry. We've put together a list of ideas to help you figure it out.

Topics: New Driver, Parents, Driver's Ed, Driving School, driver training, driver's license, summer, moms

The ultimate reason everyone takes Driver’s Ed is to get their license. It’s a rite of passage. It’s part of becoming an adult. It will open doors and make you more independent, but it can also stress you out and keep you up at night; tossing and turning and worrying about the embarrassment of failing and the inconvenience of having to take the test again.

Topics: New Driver, DMV, CT DMV, driver's license, license, license test

There are no winners...

A 20-year-old resident of Connecticut was speeding one morning around 3 a.m. - coming home from a bar - when his car rolled over, his female passenger ejected from the sunroof.

Neither were wearing seat belts.

He was driving so fast he lost control of his car. He had also been drinking - his blood alcohol level was later tested, and it was found to be about .130.

He survived.

The passenger was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Topics: New Driver, Driver's Ed, driving laws

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Go Ahead. Learn Our Rules!

We understand that driver's ed is just one more thing on your running list of things to do. We get it! Keep these important policies and procedures in mind when signing up, and your entire experience will be easy and stress free. 

Topics: New Driver, Driving Lesson, Driver's Ed, Learner's Permit

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It's no secret that teen driver restrictions in Connecticut can get confusing. When can I drive? Who am I allowed to drive with? Is my brother allowed to ride with me? It is easy to forget the details, but unfortunately if you do, you can be in some trouble. Keep these restrictions in mind the next time you hit the road. 

Topics: Safe driving, New Driver, New Driver Restrictions, safety, Driver's Ed, driving, Education, laws, driving laws

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Once you turn 16 you are eligible to apply for your permit. This can be done before or after you sign up for classes but must be done before any private driving lessons can be taken. If you don’t have your permit already, book your CT permit test now. Your license testing eligibility doesn’t start until you get your permit and the DMV often books dates 2 months out!

Topics: New Driver, Driver's Ed, Learner's Permit, DMV, Permit Test, Permit

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Statistics about what times of day are the most hazardous for teen drivers have been very consistent for years: the hours after school lets out show a sharp spike from the 9AM to 3PM  period; more crashes happen at night than during the day; and the three hour period when the most crashes happen is 9PM to Midnight. 

Only one state that I am aware of, North Carolina, sets its curfew for teen drives at 9PM, a few are at 10 PM, a few at 11PM, and many at midnight (and of course some states still have no curfew at all for young drivers).

Topics: Safe Driving Tips, New Driver

There’s a lot of thought that goes into buying a car, especially when it’s for a newly licensed driver. New drivers, no matter what age, are still developing their skills. They’ve practiced, sure, but there’s still many scenarios that they have yet to encounter on the road, and the response required in those situations may vary based on the car driven. You want a car that’s both safe and within your budget.

Topics: New Driver, Parents, safety

Need your license? In Connecticut, it is REQUIRED that you take an 8-Hour Safe Driving Course, REGARDLESS of age. Driver's ed is no longer just for the 16 year old. You may have waited until you turned 18 or 19 to apply for your license, or perhaps you recently arrived in the U.S. and need to convert your International License to a Connecticut License. No matter the reason, the 8-Hour Safe Driving Course is what you need to fulfill your State Requirements, and prepare to pass your tests.

Topics: New Driver, Adult New Driver

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When your teenager gets his or her license, it can be exhilarating for them, and nerve-wracking for you.  Their safety is always the first concern, and second to that is the insurance component.  There are many questions that come to mind “Do I need to add my newly licensed teenager to my insurance policy?” “Will doing so significantly increase my premium?”, “How can I reduce the costs associated with adding my teenage driver to my policy?”

Topics: tips, New Driver, Auto Insurance, Discount