Before you get ready to put that driver's license in your wallet -- before you begin an in-class or online driver ed course -- consider how much money it's going to cost. You may be fortunate enough to have parents willing to help with the expense but regardless it's important to get a feel for what the total expenses are.
We're not talking about how much the actual online driver's ed course costs. Nor are we referring to the fee that the DMV demands of you to take your road test.
We're talking about the piles of money that will be spent every year for you to get behind the wheel of a car, even if it is an existing family car and not your own car.
While in previous articles we focused on the safety concerns parents have as you begin to learn how to drive and eventually obtain their driver's license, in this article we're focusing on the financial concerns that plague new drivers and their parents across the country when looking to expand the drivers in a household.
Insurance
Auto insurance isn't cheap. However, it is a necessity. While an online driver's ed program will teach you how to avoid accidents and keep your insurance rates down, accidents do happen out on the road. That's why insurance policies exist. As you'll learn in online driver ed, they're designed to keep things financially bearable in the event of a mishap with your vehicle.
In order to get behind the wheel of their car, it's going to cost additional funds in auto insurance. While it might not seem expensive if you're a secondary driver on their vehicle, it does add up month after month. Some insurance companies have programs that allow a teenager to watch a video to have a safe driver discount. Ask your insurance company if there are any programs that you may qualify for to get a safe driver discount or if they offer a student discount.
Gas
With an additional driver in the house, the family car is going to see a lot less driveway time. It doesn't take an online driver's ed program to teach you that gas is expensive. If you've ever looked out the car window while your parents filled up the tank -- or if you frequently pass by a gas station - you've probably marveled at how much the gas prices fluctuate.
There are tips and tricks you can take advantage of to try and spend less money on gas. Some of the most common tips include not topping off your tank, not paying for premium gas, keeping your tires properly inflated, and driving the speed limit.
Maintenance
Additional time on the road means more frequent car maintenance. An online driver's ed program will show you how important oil changes are for the life of your car. With the prospect of more miles being put on the odometer, the family car is going to require more maintenance.
Make sure you keep an eye on some of the basic car maintenance items. Some of the simple things to check include oil and other fluid levels, verify tires have the proper tire pressure, make sure there are no warning lights on the dashboard, verify all lights on the vehicle are in working order (headlights, turn signals, and brake lights), and also make sure the windshield wipers still work and don't need to be replaced.
Plan to Help with Expenses
If you're driving your parent's car, help alleviate some of the financial headaches. Consider paying for your online driver's ed course out of your pocket. Get a part-time job to pay for the gas you use. Do whatever it takes to keep your parents' costs down and driving will be a more pleasant experience for everyone.