Teenagers might drive as if they own the road, but they have paid significantly different prices for the opportunity.
In Northern Virginia, drivers education courses are offered in most of the public school districts. But while Loudoun County high schoolers will pay up to $300 for a classroom course and 14 hours of behind-the-wheel training, the same regimen in Arlington County costs $620.
Prince William students enjoy a $315 deal, while Fairfax students pay $460.
Across the state lines, most D.C. and Maryland students don’t have a driver’s education option in high school, but they often end up faring better financially. A survey of several of the ample private offerings, like AB Discount Driving School for the cost-conscious, show they offer full courses for under $300. More fretful parents might opt for places like I Drive Smart, which guarantees classes taught by law enforcement officials, but with a $599 price tag.
Quratul-Ann Malik, who served last year as the student member of Montgomery County’s school board, supported bringing drivers education back into the schools during her 2008 campaign for the board, but said tight budgets pushed it down the list of priorities.
“While drivers ed is a convenience, it costs money to hire teachers and set up a program,” she wrote by e-mail.
In Virginia districts, officials considered cutting the classes during the past year’s tricky budget cycles, but all survived.
Tim Hwang, Malik’s replacement, acknowledged the budget crisis but said efforts to get drivers education back in the schools would encourage students to take it more seriously.
“A lot of my friends taking it [outside of school] say they use the time to listen to their iPods and send texts,” Hwang said.
While most teens approach the classes as a necessary evil on the road to independence, schools and law enforcement officials have renewed efforts to stress its importance. A recent U.S. House of Representatives bill supported by Montgomery County’s Rep. Chris Van Hollen, for example, would establish federal requirements for teen driving age and for how many young people could ride in the same car.
