Oh my, thing have really changed...... Aloha Parents! Driver's Education has changed drastically from when we ourselves were student drivers. During my driving certification, I was amazed at how driving tools and techniques had progressed and improved since I learned years ago. In our day, it was drive until you get it right. This would have ultimately resulted in bumps,dents or scratches on mom and dad's car. (If it was Grandpa's car, you hoped he wouldn't notice!)

Reference points, precision driving, point of no return, targeting, stale green or red. Do any of these terms ring a bell with your Driver's Ed training? Nope, I never heard of them until now because they didn't exist when we took Driver's Ed. These new methods have been created to help new drivers cope with the pitfalls of driving in a faster and more hurried pace that we live in today. Driving for us now is very easy (we've been practicing a lot longer). For some new drivers, it can be a very scary and nerve wracking experience. Once your child learns these new skills, they will quickly be on their way to becoming SAFE and COURTEOUS drivers. We not only cover driving skills, but topics such as road rage, drugs & alcohol, effect of tired drivers, distractions in the car, etc.

Now for the bad part..... OK, don't get mad at me because you think I've created a monster and sent them home to you. Be prepared, your child will now try and tell YOU how to drive. We've been safely carting them around for the last 15 years+ and now they want to tell US how to drive? Be patient and engage them in conversation and see where they are coming from. Prior to my driving certification, I deemed myself a very good driver. I've never been in a serious car accident and have managed to get from point A to B without much fuss. Now that I have all the facts, rules, and laws fresh on my mind, it is my opinion that about 90% of drivers need to obey the law and sharpen up their driving skills. I'm not a perfect driver either but come on, you drive out there, it's a jungle.

All that being said, I'm not going to comment on driving skills and habits of the parents. I dare not bite the hand that feeds me. I know a lot of adult drivers break the rules and are, at times, not a very good example to our impressionable teens. I would like to work together with you as a partner to instill good driving habits for your child. So during this trying time of Driver's Ed, please be patient and guide them correctly because this is your child's future. However, If they get unruly and criticize your driving habits, remind them that you already have YOUR driver's license so we're concentrating on THEIR driving so they can pass THEIR driving test. They need to learn the WONG WAY!!!

Oh, one more thing.  Before I issue Certificate of Competion for the 30 hrs. classroom and 6 hrs. behind the wheel training, I need a notorized statement from the parent or guarding that the student received an additional 50 hrs. of behind the wheel instruction/practice.  The 50 hrs. would include 40 hrs. daytime driving and 10 nightitme driving with a licensed adult driver (mostly likely a parent unless you can pressure uncle or auntie to do it).  I will provide you with the form to fill out and take to the Notary Public.  To make sure we are all working out of the same book, I will supply you with a Skills Log booklet that gives you the steps to follow and also to log the number of hours driven.  Oh yes, this is team effort to get your child on the road......to a successful and safe driving journey.