Best Driving Schools in Chicago

Students attend driving schools to prepare for drivers' permits and drivers' license written and road tests. Driving schools typically offer both classroom and on-the-road training, and certain schools provide courses for commercial truck and motorcycle licenses. Attending driving school is not required in states such as Minnesota and California; however, driving courses are highly beneficial to new drivers.

Students attending driving schools learn:

• Local and state traffic laws and driving procedures
• Road specifics, such as the meaning of stop and yield signs
• Speed limits and driving rules for neighborhoods, school zones, highways, and freeways

In most states, driving students can begin classroom and behind-the-wheel training at the age of 15. However, certain states, such as Alaska and Arkansas, allow driver training to start at age 14, while the minimum age in other states, such as the District of Columbia, Connecticut, and Delaware, is 16.

The cost of driving school can vary from state to state. On average, classroom training with included behind-the-wheel courses range between $200 and $800 total. Individual behind-the-wheel driving lessons for adults can cost between $50 and $100 per session, depending on the number of hours in each session. Prices can also fluctuate between cities and states based on current gasoline costs.

Learning how to drive through a professional driving school is beneficial for individuals looking to gain confidence behind the wheel. Continual practice is ideal with an experienced, licensed driver. Completion of driving school reinforces not only skills but also confidence.

To legally obtain a driver's license, one must take and pass a written exam and road test through the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Driving schools don't provide licenses. However, driving schools help drivers prepare for both tests and offer behind-the-wheel training courses beneficial to new drivers.

Many insurance companies offer lowered rates for teenagers who take driver's education courses and earn a certificate of completion. Rate discounts can vary per insurance company, with an average savings of up to $27.21 per month. Additionally, some providers offer discounted rates for adults who complete defensive driving courses.

Truck drivers require a commercial driver's license or a CDL. Most commercial truck driving schools offer programs for class A licenses that last approximately seven weeks, with classes five days per week. Class B license training courses are approximately one week long.

The first step in applying for a trucking school grant is to reach out to local trucking associations and inquire about membership. Many associations offer student memberships as well as scholarship opportunities for current members. Well-known scholarship foundations include the Women in Trucking Foundation Scholarship and Truckload Carriers Association Scholarship.

Pell Grants are available for CDL truck driving schools. Application requirements include completing a FAFSA or Federal Application for Student Aid, and applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or non-eligible aliens. Applicants must also be currently enrolled in undergraduate programs or working towards earning their college degrees.

Advanced driving skills include proper steering, smoothness and balance on the road, quick swerve and recovery reactions, and the ability to recover from skids. Advanced drivers understand the need to speed within limits, and they avoid distractions while staying focused on the road.

Advanced driving courses help students learn techniques, such as correct cornering skills, swerving and recovering skills, skid reduction and avoidance, and overall vehicle dynamics. Understanding these techniques can help drivers prevent potential accidents, making the courses worth the time and expense.

Insurance rates and deals can vary based on specific providers. However, many providers offer discounts for defensive and advanced driving courses that can range from 5% to 20%, with an average discount of 10%. When discounts are offered, rates generally stay the same for up to three years.

Defensive driving is a form of driving in which drivers utilize skills learned through special driving courses to react quickly to potential hazards on the road. Defensive driving teaches how to handle vehicles around other drivers who are speeding or cutting people off during dangerous weather conditions and in the event of unexpected road damage or roadblocks.

Defensive driving classes are beneficial to drivers who reside in cities known for aggressive driving and heavy traffic, as the courses guide how to react in various situations, such as being cut off by other drivers and other careless acts. Defensive driving courses also teach how to handle sudden roadblocks, dangerous terrain, and potentially hazardous weather conditions.

Motorcycle classes provide training on traffic and road rules specific to motorcycles, including safety practices, such as wearing helmets and other gear to prevent injuries, local laws, and speed limits. Motorcycle classes also offer on-the-road riding courses with certified instructors.

Motorcycle training courses provide approximately 15 hours of classroom education paired with 10 hours of on-the-road riding. How long it actually takes to learn how to ride a motorcycle can vary greatly, depending on the individual's learning process, confidence, and overall ability.