<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3wEi2S_1GvDZo1700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3wEi2S_1GvDZo1700" width="1111" height="1200" ></figure>For many teenagers, getting a driver’s license is a milestone that brings a new sense of independence. However, before earning the privilege of driving on their own, teens must navigate the preparation, practice, and nerves that come with taking the road test. With different ways to learn and prepare, finding the right approach can make all the difference. In Connecticut, teens have the option of enrolling in a driver’s education program through a driving school, or completing their training through home instruction. Although both routes require behind the wheel practice, they differ in their structure, cost, and the amount of time teens must hold their learners permit before becoming eligible to take the road test. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0bdoAl_1GvDZo1700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0bdoAl_1GvDZo1700" width="1604" height="2001" ><figcaption>Car Keychains of Morgan Students Haley Dvorsky and Julianna Clados (Photographer: Leila Chusino)</figcaption></figure>Students who complete drivers education can take their road test after holding their learner’s permit for at least 120 days. These programs require 30 hours of classroom instruction, including an eight-hour Safe Driving Practices course and two hours of parent training. Students must also complete 40 hours of supervised driving practice, and all students must pass the same road test before earning their license. Students who choose home instruction must complete the equivalent of 22 hours of classroom instruction, the eight-hour Safe Driving Practices course, two hours of parent training and 40 hours of supervised driving practice with a qualified trainer. They must also hold their learner’s permit for 180 days before taking the road test. At Morgan, students have experienced both paths firsthand. While Layla Anderson and Kamilla Barros opted for drivers education programs, Alexander Martinez and Mike Klosek completed their training through home instruction. Despite their different approaches, all four students emphasized the importance of preparation and consistent practice. Anderson attended Crossroads Driving School in Killingworth, where she completed her classes online and took four different on road driving sessions, all two hours each. Barros attended Surepass Driving School in Guilford, where she took classes in person, and also practiced on the road. Both students found their programs useful, and felt that the instruction helped prepare them for their road tests. For students who choose home instruction, preparation looks a little different. Rather than attending a formal driving school, Martinez and Klosek relied on their parents, independent studying, and other resources to develop their driving skills.Klosek explained that taking responsibility for his own preparation was especially important. “I made sure to advocate for myself and ask my parents to help me practice… And I also still studied the driver’s manual,” Klosek said. Beyond the driver’s manual, Klosek also turned to social media for advice. He said, “I heard from other people things that I wouldn’t think to do,” such as using turn signals during a K-turn and narrating his actions to the driving instructor. However, home instruction also came with its own challenges. Klosek explained that finding time to practice could sometimes be difficult when his schedule did not align with his parents’ availability.“Sometimes your schedule doesn’t line up with your parents for going out and driving together,” he said. He added that finding someone with a reliable schedule to practice with was important, since repeatedly asking parents to drive could feel like an inconvenience. Martinez experienced a different challenge while learning to drive: managing his mother’s nerves as a passenger. He recalled that she sometimes became anxious when he was behind the wheel. To overcome this, Martinez said, “I just tried to drive as safely as possible.” One piece of advice shared by both Anderson and Klosek was the importance of identifying areas of weakness and dedicating time to improving them. Klosek recommended that students “highlight what you’re nervous about, what skills you need to work on, and really practice those.”Anderson experienced this firsthand when she struggled with parking before her test. “I could not pull in to park. And I was really nervous because I was scared I was gonna fail my test because of that,” she explained. To overcome this challenge, Anderson said “I had my dad teach me. We were literally in the parking lot for an hour, just pulling in and backing out, pulling in and backing out.” Beyond mastering specific skills, consistent practice also plays an important role in developing confidence behind the wheel. Although Barros claims she was never particularly afraid of driving, she admitted to feeling anxious about the possibility of getting into an accident. However, after four months of driver’s education and practice with her parents, she found that gaining experience helped ease her worries. “Just a lot of practice to gain confidence, and then it was easy,” Barros explained.Like Barros, Martinez emphasized the value of regular driving experience. Rather than relying on formal lessons though, Martinez said he practiced regularly by driving every day. However, even with experience behind the wheel, his road test did not go entirely as planned.Martinez recalled, “I hit the curb on the three point turn on test. I barely hit it, but I still passed.” His experience serves as a reminder that making a mistake does not necessarily mean a test is over.Klosek experienced a similar situation. He explained, “During my test, I was so nervous and the instructor could tell. I actually hit a traffic cone. But he knew that I was capable, and that I was just nervous, so thankfully he was understanding.”Both experiences demonstrate that mistakes can happen, and a single mistake does not necessarily determine the outcome of a road test. However, it is still important to be mindful and cautious on the road. Examiners evaluate drivers on their ability to follow traffic laws, yield the right of way, use turn signals, make turns, and safely back up and park. Errors that demonstrate unsafe driving or inability to follow traffic rules can put a driver’s chances of passing at risk. While preparation can help build confidence, the pressure of test day can still be difficult to overcome. For many students, nerves are just as challenging as the driving skills themselves. Anderson recalled sitting alone in her car before her test began. “I just remember being super nervous in the car, and I was like, ‘Okay, Layla, you got this. You’re gonna do great,’” she remembered.Ultimately, the students agreed that preparation, practice, and confidence are essential when approaching the road test. Barros encouraged future drivers not to overthink the experience, explaining, “It’s actually easier than you expect it to be.” Similarly, Anderson shared advice passed down from her mother: “You’re not going to fail if you know how to drive.” For teens preparing for their licenses, the message is this: take the time to practice, work on areas of difficulty, and trust the skills you’ve developed. </div></body>

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For many teenagers, getting a driver’s license is a milestone that brings a new sense of independence. However, before earning the privilege of driving on their own, teens must navigate the preparation, practice, and nerves that come with taking the road test. With different ways to learn and prepare, finding the right approach can make all the difference.

Driving Test Advice For Teens

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For many teenagers, getting a driver’s license is a milestone that brings a new sense of independence. However, before earning the privilege of driving on 

Driving Test Advice For Teens

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