(https://www.aaadrivingschoolfl.com)
Apply for a New License in FL
What to take with you to the Driver License Office •Proof of Identification bring your birth certificate or United States Passport. If you do not have your original birth certificate (a copy is not acceptable) then you may bring a certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the state you were born in. •Proof of Social Security Number bring your original social security card or your W-2 showing your social security number. •Two proofs of Residential Address such as your home utility bill, cable bill, home telephone bill, etc. •Proof of Name Change if you have ever changed your name through marriage, divorce or court order. •Parent/Guardian signature On-line Test Proctoring Form which must be signed in the presence of a driver license examiner or notarized if parent or guardian will not be present. •Parental Consent Form – Minor Driver Applicant Form. If you are under 18 and are not married one parent or legal guardian must sign your license application. Step-parents may not sign unless they have legally adopted you. •No additional certificates needed! •4 Hour Course: Once you complete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course through a registered provider your completion information is automatically submitted to our department and this information is available at all Driver License Offices! Paper certificates are no longer required at the driver license office. •Pass the DMV tests: •Vision. •Hearing. •Knowledge. •Driving.
Licensing Requirements for Teens & Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Laws Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws — basically, laws for drivers who are minors — allow young drivers to safely gain driving experience under lower-risk conditions before obtaining full driving privileges. These laws outline limits and restrictions for new drivers ages 15, 16 and 17. Florida’s GDL laws are designed to help teens gradually — and safely — build their skills and experience behind the wheel. It is important for teens and their parents to understand these laws and obey them. Requirements for Minors Getting Learner’s License •Must be at least 15 years old •If under 18 years old, must have a signed/notarized Parental Consent Form (step-parents may not sign unless they have legally adopted the minor child) •Proof of Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course completion •Have taken vision and hearing exams •Passed Class E Knowledge Test Prepare for the exam by studying the Official Florida Driver License Handbook 50 multiple-choice questions about traffic laws and traffic signs; 40 correct answers (80%) to pass Requirements for Minors Getting Operator’s License •Must be at least 16 years old •Hold Learner’s license for 12 months or age 18 (whichever comes first) •Have driven at least 50 hours with Learner’s license (10 of which were at night) •Provide signed Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form •NO moving violation convictions for one year since learner’s date of issuance (OR may have one moving violation as long as adjudication was withheld) •Passed Driving Skills Test The vehicle used for the driving test must have a current registration and be insured. Note: The minor must provide documents needed to establish proof of identity, proof of social security number and proof of residential address. Please visit GatherGoGet.com for a list of acceptable documents.
Florida Driving License All drivers getting their first driver’s license in Florida are required to complete certain steps by Florida Law. This applies to those getting a learner permit or restricted license and those getting an operator’s license. The DMV Permit Test Step #1 – TLSAE - Drug and Drug & Alcohol Course The first step to get your driver’s license is to complete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course. This course must be taken by anyone - regardless of age - getting their first driver’s license in Florida. Step #2 - DMV Test Preparation and Practice Test Once you have completed your TLSAE course the next step is to a written test that covers Florida road signs and road rules. The DMV test (also known as the Permit Test) is available online. Teen’s 15- under18 years old with a parent/guardian proctor nearby to proctor the test (that just means they have to watch you while you take the test). Anyone over the age of 18 taking the DMV Test must take it at a local DMV Office. What happens if I close or exit the browser during the test? If you close the window or exit the browser during the exam, your exam will be considered expired. Expired exams are failed exams. You have one initial attempt and two possible tests retakes. If you fail the test three times online, you will have to visit your local driver license or tax office to take the exam in person. The DMV EXAM consists of 50 questions. There are 45 questions on road rules and 5 questions on road signs. The passing score for the exam is 80%. You must correctly answer 40 out of 50 questions to pass. What to bring to DMV office: Make sure you have an appointment. Bring the necessary ID and documents. Florida has new documentation requirements for residents renewing or obtaining a new driver license or identification card. For office visits, you must bring original documents that prove your identity, social security number and residential address. •Be at least 15 years old •Provide proof of completion of a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course •Provide parental consent form if under 18 and required documents for proof of identity •Complete your permit exam •Pass a vision and hearing test: Learner's Permit – What are the Rules? Getting a learner's permit in Florida means you have driving privileges, but they are restricted. Once you've obtained your permit you are required to do the following when operating a motor vehicle: •At all times you must be accompanied by a licensed driver in the front passenger seat. This driver must be 21 years of age or older. •For the first 3 months after the date you received your permit, you can only drive during daylight hours. •After the first 3 months, you may drive between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 pm. •If you are under 18 you must keep your learners permit for 1 year before getting your operator’s license. •If you are over 18 you can get your operator’s license immediately after taking the required TLSAE course and DMV exam. What's Next - Driver's License! If you are under the age of 18, the following rules apply to getting your driver's license. A regular driver's license, also known as a Class E license, requires the following: •You've had no moving traffic citations within 12 months of the issuance of your permit. (You may have 1 traffic violation where adjudication is withheld. Adjudication withheld is when you are not convicted of the offense, while still being held guilty). •For the first 3 months after the date you received your permit, you can only drive during daylight hours. •Your parent or legal guardian, or an responsible adult 21 years or older, has certified you've completed at least 50 hours of driving experience, including 10 hours at night. •You must pass a driving test.
AAA Teen Drivers Awareness Program With over 750,000 licensed teen drivers in the state of Florida, it is so important for teens and all the adults around them to practice safe driving. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) works to educate teens on the importance of buckling up, observing all speed limits, never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and always keeping hands on the wheel, eyes on the road and mind on driving. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) is joining the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in recognizing National Teen Driver Safety Week from October 16 to 22 and highlighting Teen Arrive Alive Day on October 18 with events throughout the state to remind teens and adults around them to stay safe behind the wheel. Teen Arrive Alive Day on October 18 is a statewide effort to educate parents and teens on safe driving behaviors to ultimately prevent teen crashes by focusing on enforcing Graduated Driver License (GDL) laws, driving sober and operating a motor vehicle fully engaged without distractions. We want all our teens to Arrive Alive. GDL laws in Florida allow young divers to safely gain experience under lower-risk conditions before obtaining full driving privileges. In 1996, Florida became the first state to enact GDL laws and since then every state has adopted the GDL program in some capacity. For more information on licensing requirement for teens and GDL laws, please click here.
•Driving is a Privilege – Don’t Lose It •Your parents can rescind your driver license. The parent or guardian who signs the Parental Consent Form can rescind responsibility for your driving and cancel your license. •If you get six or more points on your license within 12 months, your license is restricted to “Business Purposes Only” for one year. If you receive six points on your driving record within a 12 month period, your driving privileges are automatically restricted to Business Purposes Only for 12 months or until you are 18, whichever happens first. If you receive additional points during this restricted period, the restriction is extended 90 days for each additional point. •If you’re under 21, it’s ZERO TOLERANCE for drinking and driving. Drivers under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level of .02 percent or more will have their license immediately suspended for six months. A second offense will result in a one year suspension. Refusal to submit to testing (first offense) results in a suspension of 12 months, 18 months on a second offense. •If you get a moving violation conviction while you have a Learner’s License, you have one more year until you can get an Operator’s License. If you receive a moving traffic conviction while you have a Learner’s License, the one-year period you are required to hold your Learner’s License will be extended for one year from the date of the conviction, or until you are 18 years old, whichever happens first. •You must be in compliance with school attendance, or you’re ineligible to obtain or maintain your license. If you are not in compliance with school attendance, your driving privilege can be suspended until you provide proof you have attended school for 30 consecutive days. •If you’re convicted of possession of tobacco – you lose your license for a minimum of 30 days. If you are convicted for possession of tobacco or nicotine products, and you are under age 18, your license will be suspended for 30 days or more. There are driving curfews for minors with learner’s and operator’s licenses: •Driving Curfews for Minors License Type Hours Note: Learner's License Daylight hours first three months license issued--10pm after three months ALWAYS accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ 16 year old with Operator's License NOT between 11pm to 6am Unless driving to or from work OR accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ 17 year old with Operator's License NOT between 1am to 5am Unless driving to or from work OR accompanied by a licensed driver 21+
•Teen Driver Safety Tips Before you drive: •Put on your seat belt and make sure all your passengers buckle up, too. •Keep passengers at a minimum. Extra passengers can be distracting for an inexperienced teen driver. Never try to fit more people in the car than you have seat belts for them to use. •When driving to a new place, get complete directions before you go. Figure out exactly where you are going before you head down the road. •Maintain your car’s optimum performance. Check your tires and make sure they are inflated to the right pressure according to your owner’s manual. Bald tires, a slipping transmission, bad brakes, a dirty windshield or a hesitant engine could lead to accidents. •Make sure your car has gas in it. Don’t ride around with the gauge on empty and risk getting stranded somewhere unsafe. •Be responsible, don’t drink and drive, and don’t ride with anyone who has been drinking. Call parents or friends to take you home if you need a ride. •Never drive under the influence of drugs. Don’t ride with anyone who has been using drugs. Even some over the counter drugs can make you drowsy so check labels for warnings.
•While you drive: •Stop speeding before it stops you. Obey all speed limits, stops signs, and traffic lights. Going too fast gives you less time to stop or react. Excess speed is one of the main causes of teenage crashes. •Use turn signals to indicate your intention to turn or to change lanes and to give the drivers behind you enough time to react before you take the action. Then make sure the signal turns off after you’ve completed the action. •Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and mind on driving. Don’t adjust the radio or any device, talk or text on your cell phone, put on make-up, comb your hair or eat while driving. Wait until you can pull over safely and stop because even taking your focus off the road for a few seconds could lead to a crash. •Don’t blast your music. You might miss hearing a siren or a horn that could warn you of possible trouble. •Share the road with others – watch out for motorcycles, bikes and pedestrians. •Don’t leave your car in cruise control when you’re driving late at night or when you’re tired. If you fall asleep at the wheel, the car will crash at the speed you’ve set your cruise control to maintain. •Be aware of the weather, traffic congestion and road conditions – stay alert! Be a courteous and safe driver at all times – Arrive Alive! . [source: flhsmv]
Today, we drive safer cars on safer roads; decades of advertisements and public information campaigns have made most of us safer drivers. As a result, the U.S. logged the lowest accident fatality rate ever recorded [source: NHTSA]. Despite this progress, unfortunately, the number of auto accidents and fatalities nationwide is still quite staggering: Last Year here were almost 6 million car accidents in the U.S., leading to more than 37,000 deaths. What's more, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of three and 34 in this country. Improvements in technology will continue to help bring those numbers down, but the bottom line remains that most car accidents are the result of human error. The best way to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident is to practice safe driving behaviors. Whether you're just learning to drive or you've been behind the wheel for decades, it's a good idea to review some basic rules for safe driving. Here are 10 driving tips that will help bring you and your passengers home unharmed.
Spring Break: Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive Florida’s beautiful beaches and tourist attractions lure thousands of spring breakers every year. As more drivers take to Florida roadways, the decision to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol continues to be a serious problem – more than 15 crashes a day in March 2016 involved drivers who registered alcohol levels above the legal limit. Throughout the month of March, FHP and our state and local law enforcement partners will be focusing on the state’s drinking age laws and working to keep impaired drivers off the roads. Driving impaired not only puts everyone on the roadway in danger, it can have serious legal and monetary consequences. Penalties for DUIs can include expensive fines, license revocation and jail time and convictions can remain on your record for 75 years. Enjoy Spring Break responsibly and plan ahead, designate a driver or call a ride service – it is much cheaper than a DUI arrest. •The legal drinking age in Florida is 21. Anyone under the age of 21 in possession of alcohol can be cited for a second-degree misdemeanor, which can lead to costly court fees, fines and other lasting consequences. •It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 21 or buy alcohol for anyone under 21. •Possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle (in motion or stopped) by the driver and or the passenger(s) is a violation of Florida law.
Life-Saving Summer Driving Tips for Teens The period of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is often the most fun season of the year. School is out, the sun is shining, and summer adventures on underway. It’s an exciting time, but summer is also the most dangerous time of year for teen drivers. The roads are crowded with new drivers, vacationers and college students who have come home for the season, and the result is the highest percentage of automobile collisions for the whole year. If you are hitting the roads this summer, follow these tips to stay safe: Watch Your Speed Most crashes are caused by aggressive driver behavior and speed. Take it slow and be aware of oncoming cars and children playing. Lower speeds aren’t just safer — they also equal better gas mileage! Take Your Time If you are meeting up with friends or heading to work, give yourself more time than you think you need to get there. Speeding is a factor in over 30 percent of all fatal crashes, so avoid rushing to get to where you need to go. Pay Attention to the Weather Summer rains can be hazardous on the roads. If it is raining, turn your headlights on and maintain a safe following distance between your car and the next. Stay Focused No text message or phone call is more important than your safety, and searching your phone for music, applying makeup and eating behind the wheel can also cause crashes. Remember this: reading or sending a text means you are looking at your phone, not the road, for nearly five seconds. If you are driving on the freeway at just 55 mph, that is the equivalent of driving an entire football field’s length with your eyes closed! Remember these tips next time you hit the road this summer to stay safe while enjoying the season!
TEN TIPS FOR A SAFE DRIVER 1, Stop Signs and Red Lights: When stopped at a stop sign or red light, spell S-T-O-P to yourself before proceeding. Always turn your head to look left, then right, straight ahead, then left again before moving into an intersection. 2, Distracted Driving: 37% of collisions are caused by distracted driving. You have one task at hand while driving – arriving safely at your destination. It is illegal to use any electronic device while driving, do not use Cell/ Mobile Phone 2 seconds error can be deadly it can wait even if it is hands-free. 3, Speeding: Obey the speed limit at all times and watch for neighborhood “slow zones”. A person hit by a car going at 40 mph dies 70% of the time. A person hit by a car going 30 mph lives 80% of the time. A person hit by a car going 20 mph lives 98% of the time. 4, Following Too Closely: Staying back a few feet from the vehicle in front of you could protect you in a crash. When traveling behind other vehicles, leave at least a four second space between vehicles. 5, Changing Lanes: Don’t forget to look over your shoulder and check your blind spots for vehicles and bicyclists. Always use turn signal when changing lanes anywhere local or highways. 6, Take Breaks: Tired driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. If you are feeling tired or hungry during your shift, pull over in a safe place and take a rest. 7, Watch Out For Bikes: You have 2,000 pounds of metal around you and they only have helmets! Watch for bicyclists when turning and keep a safe distance when passing them. Remind passengers to exit curbside to prevent opening doors into bicyclists. 8, Watch Out for Children: Drive like your kids live there. Children are hard to see and predict. Obey slower speed limits in school zones. It is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped. 9, Plan Ahead: Expect others to make mistakes and plan for how to handle them. Do not assume that a vehicle coming to a stop sign is going to stop. Be ready to react if a pedestrian, bicyclist or other vehicle fails to yield or doesn’t give the right of way. 10, Weather: During bad weather, slow down and avoid making sudden moves or slamming on breaks. Slippery roads can make you lose control of your vehicle.
Skills that put you in control
Before you get behind the wheel of that two-ton frame of glass and steel, here are some tips to help you stay in control: •Stay focused. Driving is primarily a thinking task, and you have a lot of things to think about when you're behind the wheel: road conditions, your speed and position, observing traffic laws, signs, signals, road markings, following directions, being aware of the cars around you, checking your mirrors — the list goes on. Staying focused on driving — and only driving — is critical to safe driving. •Distractions, like talking on the phone or eating, make a driver less able to see potential problems and properly react to them. It's not just teen drivers who are at fault: People who have been driving for a while can get overconfident in their driving abilities and let their driving skills get sloppy. All drivers need to remind themselves to stay focused. •Stay alert. Being alert (not sleepy or under the influence) allows you to react quickly to potential problems — like when the driver in the car ahead slams on the brakes at the last minute. Obviously, alcohol or drugs (including prescription and over-the-counter drugs) affect a driver's reaction time and judgment. Driving while drowsy has the same effect and is one of the leading causes of crashes. So rest up before your road trip. •Watch out for the other guy. Part of staying in control is being aware of other drivers and roadway users around you (and what they may suddenly do) so you're less likely to be caught off guard. For example, if a car speeds past you on the highway but there's not much space between the car and a slow-moving truck in the same lane, it's a pretty sure bet the driver will try to pull into your lane directly in front of you. Anticipating what another driver might do and making the appropriate adjustment helps reduce your risk.
Eight Secrets for Super Driving
When you drive defensively, you're aware and ready for whatever happens. You are cautious, yet ready to take action and not put your fate in the hands of other drivers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 90% of all crashes are attributed to driver error. Following these defensive driving tips can help reduce your risk behind the wheel: Think safety first. Avoiding aggressive and inattentive driving tendencies yourself will put you in a stronger position to deal with other people's bad driving. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front. Always lock your doors and wear your seatbelt to protect you from being thrown from the car in a crash. Be aware of your surroundings pay attention. Check your mirrors frequently and scan conditions 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. Keep your eyes moving. If a vehicle is showing signs of aggressive driving, slow down or pull over to avoid it. If the driver is driving so dangerously that you're worried, try to get off the roadway by turning right or taking the next exit if it's safe to do so. Also, keep an eye on pedestrians, bicyclists, and pets along the road. Do not depend on other drivers. Be considerate of others but look out for yourself. Do not assume another driver is going to move out of the way or allow you to merge. Assume that drivers will run through red lights or stop signs and be prepared to react. Plan your movements anticipating the worst-case scenario. Follow the 3- to 4-second rule. Since the greatest chance of a collision is in front of you, using the 3- to 4-second rule will help you establish and maintain a safe following distance and provide adequate time for you to brake to a stop if necessary. But this rule only works in normal traffic under good weather conditions. In bad weather, increase your following distance an additional second for each condition such as rain, fog, nighttime driving, or following a large truck or motorcycle. Keep your speed down. Posted speed limits apply to ideal conditions. It's your responsibility to ensure that your speed matches conditions. In addition, higher speeds make controlling your vehicle that much more difficult if things go wrong. To maintain control of your vehicle, you must control your speed. Have an escape route. In all driving situations, the best way to avoid potential dangers is to position your vehicle where you have the best chance of seeing and being seen. Having an alternate path of travel also is essential, so always leave yourself an out — a place to move your vehicle if your immediate path of travel is suddenly blocked. Separate risks. When faced with multiple risks, it's best to manage them one at a time. Your goal is to avoid having to deal with too many risks at the same time. Cut out distractions. A distraction is any activity that diverts your attention from the task of driving. Driving deserves your full attention — so stay focused on the driving task.
TIPS for Parents and Caregivers As a parent or caregiver, you want to do everything in your power to make sure your children and older parents are safe every time they walk out the door. The resources below will help you and your loved ones do just that.
•Everyone Is a Pedestrian! Whenever you are not in your vehicle, you are a pedestrian! This brochure offers tips for both drivers and pedestrians to stay safe while sharing the road.
•Prevent Pedestrian Crashes: Parents and Caregivers of Elementary School Children Elementary school children are very active and impulsive. Although they are learning and growing, school-age children 10 and younger still need guidance and supervision when playing and walking near traffic. Learn the myths and facts.
•Five Tips to Keep Your Children Safe on Their Way To and From School Strengthen your traffic safety knowledge: Teach and reinforce your children's pedestrian safety habits. Tip #1 − Walking Safely Pedestrians 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult or young adult on their way to and from school. Show them how to cross the street by stopping at the curb and looking left-right-left for traffic before crossing. Learn about pedestrian safety from rating the walkability of your neighborhood to understanding the growth and developmental stages of your children's abilities. Tip #2 − Biking Safely The two best protections when biking to and from school are a properly fitted bicycle helmet and a good grasp of traffic safety rules. Let your child choose the helmet, and explain it's "just part of the gear," like football, skiing or hockey equipment. Learn more about bicycle safety, from selecting the right helmet to inspecting your family's bikes before hitting the road. Tip #3 − Riding the Bus Safely School buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children back and forth to school. Even so, your kids need to be especially careful around the school bus "danger zone" − 10 feet in front, 10 feet behind, and on each side of the bus. Before they go back to school or start school for the first time, take advantage of these bus safety resources, and teach your kids these common-sense practices. Tip #4 − Riding in the Car Safely Did you know children in the front seat are 40 percent more likely to be injured in crashes? If your kids are 12 and younger, make sure they ride in the back seat. Learn more about car safety, from understanding the child passenger safety laws in your State to selecting the right seat for your child. Tip #5 − Driving Safely As a parent, you're the #1 influence on the kind of pedestrian, bicyclist and driver your child will become. Set a positive example and keep your children safe. Whether walking, biking or driving, stay completely focused on the road and put your cell phone away when in traffic. Learn about driving safely and find out the laws on distracted driving in your State.
•Resident's Guide For Creating Safe and Walkable Communities Want to improve the walkability of your neighborhood? Learn from the examples of other communities working to improve pedestrian safety.
•Walkability Checklist English | Spanish | Asian or any other Languages etc. How walkable is your community? Take a walk with your child and find out for yourselves.
•For Children A Kid's Guide To Safe Walking This colorful pamphlet will help you teach young children safety tips for crossing the street and things to remember when walking.
•For Aging Adults Stepping Out – Mature Adults: Be Healthy, Walk Safely Share this resource with your aging parents to help them maintain their safety while walking for exercise or running errands. [sourse NHTSA]
Road Rage – Aggressive Driving Anger Management Aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding and tailgating, can often lead to road rage. According to the National Safety Council, motorists rate this as a top threat to highway safety. Here, we provide practical tips on how to avoid road rage as well as some startling stats, common reasons that cause road rage and wisdom from experts to ensure your safety while driving.
7 Ways to avoid road rage: Move over if someone is tailgating you Use an “I’m sorry” gesture (e.g. wave) to attempt to defuse the situation Plan ahead; allow time for delays during your journey Consider whether you’ve done something to annoy the other driver and adjust your driving accordingly Listen to music you enjoy Use your horn sparingly Avoid eye contact with angry drivers and give them plenty of room “If we can put ourselves in the shoes of other drivers, we are more capable of understanding their behavior and staying calm. If we can’t appreciate their situation, then we are more likely to get offended, angry and even rageful if their driving bothers us.” Dr. Robert Nemerovski, psychologist specializing in anger and anxiety.
Common reasions drivers experience road rage: Fighting over a parking space Cut off Not allowed to pass Given the finger Annoyed at someone honking too much Stuck behind a slow driver Tailgated “There’s a lot of talk about driving under the influence, and oftentimes people are referring to drugs or alcohol. But people are driving under the influence every day and that influence is rage.” Shannon Munford, anger management expert.
Consequences of Road Rage
If a law enforcement officer catches you engaging in road rage, you can be charged with a criminal offense. This means that you will need to and in addition to you risk: Go to court Pay legal fees. Possibly face jail/prison time. Damage to your vehicle. Physical harm to yourself and your passengers. Death. For all of the time and money that you'll end up losing, road rage is simply not worth it.
Danger: You don't know what other people are capable of or what their state of mind might be.
If you succumb to road rage, the other driver could have a deadly weapon, putting you in serious danger even death. Bottom line: a few moments of anger are simply not worth a lifetime of sorrow.
OWNING A CAR
The Financial Reality of Owning a CAR Buying your own car for the first time can be an exciting experience, but it is also an expensive one, so you should make sure that you are prepared for the financial reality of owning and running a vehicle before you commit to this major new responsibility. The AAA estimates the average cost of running a car is $9211 a year, a figure that has increased by almost 2% over the last year. You can reduce some of the costs involved by choosing your car carefully, but some expenses will be higher simply because you are a young driver.
Standing Costs and Running Costs The costs involved with owning a car can be divided into those that you will have to pay, regardless of how far or often you drive it, and those that will depend on how much driving you do. You will have to pay the standing costs even if you never take your new vehicle out on the road, but the running costs are usually given per mile since they will only begin to build up when you start driving your car. Standing Costs 1. Buying Your Car: The largest and most obvious expense will be the cost of the car itself, even if you are going for a cheaper, second hand vehicle rather than a brand new car. It is sensible to save as much as you can before you buy, since you will need a deposit of 10-20% even if you are not buying outright. Financing can be expensive, particularly for young people lacking credit histories, so if you can avoid borrowing or borrow from a family member instead, you will save a lot on interest. The money you spend on your car can sometimes be recovered by reselling or trading in when you are ready to move on to your next vehicle, but you should remember that the value of your car will decline with age. This is known as depreciation. If you resold your car the day after you bought it, you would be able to recoup most, if not all, of the original cost, but after a few years of wear and tear, your car might not be worth much of its original price. Some cars have better resale value than others, and choosing the right car can also help to keep other costs down. Smaller, less powerful cars can be much cheaper to register, insure and run, and maintenance costs can also vary. Check consumer reports before you buy to find the right make and model for you. 2. Title, Tax and Tags: The purchase price for your car may not include sales tax, which can add a substantial amount to the total cost. You will also need to budget about $400-500 for the costs of the title, which transfers ownership of the vehicle to you, car registration and a license plate. The title and license fees will only need to be paid once, and you will also need to pay a one-off initial registration fee. You will also need to budget for an annual registration tax, which will be about $75-80 a year, although it will depend on where you live, and what type of vehicle you own. Choosing a smaller car will save you a little on your registration fee, as well as making your gas and insurance costs cheaper. 3. Insurance and Breakdown Cover: The cost of insurance can be high for a young driver, but you have to be insured before you can obtain financing or register your own vehicle. Basic auto insurance should cover: Liability: covers damage you might cause to other people’s property, and is usually required by law Collision: covers damage to your own car in an accident. Comprehensive: covers damage due to other causes, such as theft, vandalism or fire Additional coverage is available for personal injury, collisions with underinsured drivers, or to cover the remainder of what you owe on your car loan. The average cost of insurance for a driver with a clean record is $1029, but younger drivers will pay more. According to money.co.uk, a teen driver can be up to seven times more likely to have an accident than a middle-aged driver, for every mile that is driven. You can reduce your insurance premiums by choosing a smaller and less powerful car, and driving safely to avoid traffic violations and start building up a no-claims bonus. You might also want to select a policy with higher deductibles, which are the portion of the costs that you will have to pay out of your own pocket before the insurer will pay out, but remember that setting it too high will be a false saving if you find yourself unable to cover it if something does happen to your car. In addition to your auto insurance, you should also consider taking out breakdown cover from a company like AAA to ensure that help will be available if something goes wrong while you are driving. Running Costs 1. Maintenance and RepairsIn order to keep your car running, you will need to perform some regular maintenance. It is a good idea to get into the habit of performing regular checks of the air filters, fluid levels and tire tread and pressure. How often you need to replace parts will depend on how much driving you do. You should budget for: - Oil changes, every 3000 miles, usually cost at least $25 - Brake pad replacement, every 30,000 miles, usually cost about $250 each end - Tire alignment, if you notice the car drifting to one side, usually about $80 - Tune up, if your car is not running right, usually about $130-280 - Tire replacements, every 25,000 miles, usually $100-200 per tire The AAA estimates that basic maintenance will cost about 4.6 cents per mile, but you should also allow some room in your budget for any unexpected repairs that might be needed. 2. Gas and Parking ChargesGas, parking charges and tolls can add up to form a significant part of your car budget. The average driver travels 12,000-15,000 miles a year, so choosing a car that is more fuel-efficient can result in significant savings. A smaller engine with fewer cylinders will use less gas per mile, and it will also be cheaper to insure.[sourse: teendriving] Visit us soon for our upcoming new Safe Driver Articles AAA DRIVING SCHOOL
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