When your teen reaches 14, he (or she) may get a driver's permit to learn to drive with a licensed driver. The student must pass the written test with a score of 80 per cent. (Study books are available at the State Police License Examiner's Office.) The student may take the test three times for a fee of $5 each time. The fees are paid at the time the student takes the driving test which is an additional $14. At the time of the written test, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the student and present a birth certificate and a notarized copy of the current notice of intent to home school. If your teen will be getting a driver's license during the coming year, you may have the notice of intent form notarized when you register in August. Some school districts will notarize it at that time or you can take it to your bank, which will usually do it for you at no charge.
The permit is valid for six months. The student must have the permit at least 30 days before taking the driving test to obtain a restricted driver's license, which is a hard copy with his picture. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the student at the time of the driving test. With the restricted license, the student may drive with a licensed driver. At age 16, your teen may obtain a regular driver's license by simply paying the fee and having his picture taken for the license.
Some auto insurance companies give a 10 per cent discount to good students. Ask your insurance company about documentation necessary to receive this discount. State Farm Insurance Company requires a test score in the upper 20 per cent from one of the following tests: PSAT, PLAN, SAT, ACT, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills or California Achievement Test. Although the SAT9 is not listed, they would probably accept it if you do not have one of the other tests.
Another way to receive a discount on auto insurance is driver's education. Most high schools offer driver's training in the summer but classes fill quickly so you must sign up early. The cost is about $150. There are other private driver's training classes available but are usually more expensive. To our knowledge, no insurance companies accept home school driver's training taught by the parents. You must have a certificate from an accredited driver's education program. Some parents have recently purchased "Help for the Teenager Who Wants to Drive" by Charles Lamont Taylor. This program is designed for parents to go through with their own children. You keep driving logs and the student takes written tests. Both are mailed in as verification that you followed the program. At the completion of the course, they send a Driver's Education Certificate that is supposed to be accepted by insurance companies in all 50 states.
Last updated: 05/21/2000
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