Getting Started Guide for New Drivers in Richmond

For most teenagers, learning how to drive is a rite of passage that can be both exciting and stressful. Parents may be unsure about how the process works, and teens are usually nervous when they first get behind the wheel.

However, knowledge is power, and understanding what you need to get started can make the process a little less confusing.

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Continue reading this guide to discover what you need to know if you’re new to driving and live in the Richmond area.

Minimum Age

Young men and women who are at least 15 and a-half years of age can apply for their leaner’s permit. Because this permit must be held for a period of nine months, people cannot sit for the driver’s test until they are at least sixteen years and three months of age.

However, you don’t have to wait until your child is behind the wheel to talk with your insurance company about rates.

As soon as you start speaking with your child about driving classes, you can discuss the potential risks and concerns with your insurance provider. If you know that you’re going to have a teen driver in the house soon, then you may want to include that information in any comparison shopping that you do.

Practice is Required

Your teen needs to practice driving while he or she has a learner’s permit, but a licensed driver 21 years of age or older must be in the passenger seat. However, if the person in the passenger seat is a brother, sister, or half- or step-sibling, then the chaperone must only be 18 years old.

In addition, every new driver must complete 45 hours of practice, and 15 of those hours must include driving after sunset. These hours of driving practice must be verified by the young adult’s parent or guardian when applying for a drivers license.

While teaching a young adult how to drive, you have to keep a close eye on the road, potential hazards, and what your child is doing. You should both put your phones away, turn the radio off, and keep your attention on the roadway.

Not only should you teach a new driver how to control a car, stop in a safe distance, and accelerate at a reasonable rate, but you should also teach them to constantly scan the horizon for potential problems.

You need to be sure that you have insurance on your teen driver. As soon as your child has a temporary license, you should notify your company of the change.

If you find that your rates will rise for any reason, then you may want to shop around to see if you can locate better rates through another supplier.

The Minimum Coverage

Virginia has minimum insurance requirements that are applied to drivers of all ages. These requirements include:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability for the bodily injury or death of one person
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability for the bodily injury or death of two or more persons
• $20,000 in property damage liability

The insurance company will send proof of insurance to the DMV, and they also inform the state of any cancellations.

State Mandated Driver Education

In the State of Virginia, driver education is required. Approved programs include 36 classroom periods along with 14 in-car instruction periods.

The in-car sessions are split evenly between observation and actual driving time. Courses are typically taken at a local public or private school, and a completion certificate will be issued at the end.

The State of Virginia mandates what will be covered in driver’s education programs. In addition to teaching students how to control a car, these classes include information on:

• Drug abuse awareness
• Alcohol safety
• Aggressive driving
• Pedestrian and bicycle safety
• Fuel-efficient driving habits
• Motorcycle awareness
• Organ and tissue donation programs

Some students may struggle to pass the class, but the Driver’s Manual Course may be able to help them.

This in-depth class is for adults over the age of 19 who have failed the knowledge test three times. It has eight hours of class time that focuses on the Virginia Driver’s manual.

While these programs are designed to make teen drivers safer, they can also help you save money. It may be possible to get attractive discounts on your insurance if your child successfully completes a course.

Some Restrictions Apply

New drivers under the age of 18 do have some restrictions on their licenses, including curfews, the number of passengers, and cell phone usage. Teen drivers should understand that:

• Driving between midnight and 4:00 am is strictly prohibited.
• Drivers under the age of 18 are only allowed to have one passenger under the age of 21.
• Drivers with a leaner’s permit may not have more than one passenger under the age of 18.
• The use of any cell phones is expressly prohibited unless the vehicle is stopped or parked, and it is a driver emergency.

After a year on the road, the restrictions on passengers will loosen slightly. Teen drivers who have had their license for a full year may transport up to three under-age passengers when:

• They are traveling to or from a school-sponsored activity.
• A licensed driver over the age of 21 is in the front passenger seat.
• The situation is an emergency.

While getting a license is exciting, it isn’t a light or easy task. Driver’s education classes are designed to give students the information and skills that they need, but the responsibility of driving should be taken seriously.

To alleviate some of the risk associated with driving, be sure to insure your new driver.

However, before adding your child to your insurance policy, you may want to shop around to see which company will provide you with the best rate.

Start comparing auto insurance rates now using the FREE price comparison tool below!