Around the globe, getting a driver’s license is considered a rite of passage. Learning how to drive begets independence and most of the time, driving classes are a must.
The question is, how much do driving classes cost? Many future drivers don’t expect that they’ll have to pay in order to get road-ready, but the hard truth is that learning to drive isn’t cheap.
We’re here to talk about the cost of driving lessons, what is included, how to make the right choice about driving schools, and more.
Read on as we help you to prepare for the financial side of getting your driver’s license.
How Much Do Driving Classes Cost on Average?
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact average for the cost of driving classes. Keep in mind that prices change from year to year and location to location. Everything from the cost of living to the cost of gas is going to impact how much you’re going to have to pay to go to driving school.
According to one recent report, it tends to cost between $40 and $60 per hour to attend driving school. You can often access discounted prices per hour when paying upfront for, say, six hours of driving lessons rather than one at a time.
What Should You Expect From Driving Classes?
What do driving classes consist of? When you’re looking for the right driving school, we always recommend choosing a school that offers both classroom learning and hands-on driving lessons. While you can expect to pay more for driving schools that offer both, those hands-on lessons can help you to become a more skilled and confident driver.
Classroom Learning
In most states and countries, classroom lessons are a requirement in order to get your license. Classroom learning covers everything from road signs to road safety. You will likely have to complete a certain number of hours of classroom learning in order to qualify for a license–that is, if you’re a minor.
Oftentimes, the rules are different for new adult drivers. If you’re over 18 years old and you’re getting your license, you may be allowed to skip the classroom learning. However, we still recommend taking at least a few hours of classroom driving lessons.
Hands-On Driving Lessons
Your driving classes should also include time behind the wheel with your instructor. A thorough class will include lessons on back roads, neighborhood roads, and even highways. Your instructor will help you to become an alert and careful driver who notices things like changes in speed limit and can navigate scenarios like merging, approaching four-way stops, and more.
Believe it or not, hands-on driving lessons aren’t always a requirement. Instead, you may be allowed to complete all of your hands-on driving with a legal and experienced driver like a parent or spouse. However, many new drivers find that it is preferable to take those first steps with an instructor, rather than a family member or friend.
How Can You Get the Most for Your Money?
As you can imagine, you’re going to be paying several hundred dollars to complete driving school. How can you make sure that you’re getting the most for your money? Let’s take a look.
Take Advantage of Free Resources
There are plenty of free resources available to enhance your driving knowledge. For example, you can take free learner’s permit practice tests by visiting https://www.drivingtest.autos/ which will lower the odds of having to take the test twice. The more knowledgeable you are, the less likely it is that you will have to pay for the same tests or classes more than once.
Practice Driving With a Legal and Experienced Driver
Most driving schools offer two to six hours of hands-on driving lessons spread out over the course of days or weeks. These lessons are extremely helpful but we recommend getting more practice under your belt before taking the official driver’s test. Partner up with someone who is a legal, licensed adult that can take you out on the road for more hands-on driving experience.
Pay for Bundled Driving Classes
As we mentioned earlier, you will typically get a discount if you pay for bundled driving classes upfront. In other words, opt for the eight-hour package rather than paying for one hour at a time. This will require you to pay more money right away but it will also save you anywhere from $10 to $30 per hour.
What Other Costs Come With Learning How to Drive?
What else do you have to pay for when becoming a licensed driver? Even if you aren’t purchasing a car of your own, you’ll still have other costs to account for beyond driving classes.
For example, most places do charge a fee to take required tests and to receive your learner’s permit and driver’s license. These fees are often less than $100.
If you are going to drive someone’s car on a regular basis, like a parent or spouse’s car, you should also add yourself to the car insurance policy. This will protect you and the car owner from acquiring serious debt in the event that you get into a car accident.
Prepare for the Financial Side of Getting Your Driver’s License
Getting your driver’s license is a huge part of becoming a more independent person. It’s an exciting time that requires a lot of learning and patience. It also requires you to ask questions like, “How much do driving classes cost near me?” so that you can prepare for the financial side of getting your driver’s license.
Looking for more ways to get the lifestyle you’ve always wanted? Take a look around as we cover more helpful topics that will help you boost everything from your finances to your health to your home.
