What to expect during in-car driving lessons at Drive Smart Georgia
What should our students expect during their in-car driving lessons? Many of our students have already completed their Driver’s Ed class – congrats! Now it’s time for the next big step: in-car driving lessons with our DDS-certified instructors.
We know this stage can feel a bit daunting. For teens, it’s a mix of excitement and nerves. For parents, it’s often a moment of, “Wait, how did we get here so fast?” One minute, you were taking off the training wheels. Now it’s 2025, and your child is about to get behind the wheel of a real car.
Breathe. It’s going to be OK.
At Drive Smart Georgia, this isn’t our first rodeo. We’ve been doing this for 16 years and have helped more than 60,000 teens learn how to drive – safely and confidently. Your child is in good hands.
So, what should you and your teen expect during in-car lessons?
Professional, Patient Instructors: Our DDS-certified instructors are trained to work with brand-new drivers. They’re calm, encouraging, and know exactly how to guide students at every skill level.
Real-World Driving Practice: From quiet neighborhoods to busier roads and even the highway (when ready), students gradually build confidence and experience behind the wheel.
Step-by-Step Instruction: We don’t throw anyone into the deep end. Lessons are structured to teach essential skills like turning, parking, lane changes, and defensive driving—always at a pace that fits your teen’s comfort level.
Feedback and Progress Tracking: After each lesson, our instructors provide helpful feedback so both students and parents know how things are going and what to focus on next.
Safety is Always First: Every lesson is built around teaching safe, smart driving habits that stick for life.
We understand this is a big milestone—for both teens and their parents. But rest assured, you’re not in this alone. At Drive Smart Georgia, we’re here to guide your child every mile of the way.
Let’s hit the road – safely and confidently.
Questions and answers about in-car driving lessons
Here is everything you need to know about in-car driving lessons at Drive Smart Georgia.
How to schedule driving lessons
Q: When should I schedule in-car driving lessons?
A: Great question—and one we hear often from parents who are eager to get their teen started behind the wheel.
Once your teen completes the 30-hour Driver’s Ed class, we’ll take care of the next steps for you. Any purchased behind-the-wheel hours (and the road test, if applicable) will automatically be added to your account.
From there, we’ll reactivate your account, allowing you to schedule in-car lessons at your convenience.
Please keep in mind that reactivation typically takes up to 72 business hours after the class is completed. We appreciate your patience during this brief processing period.
As soon as your account is active, you’ll be able to schedule driving lessons through Drive Scout, our easy-to-use online scheduling system.
It’s that simple! If you have any questions during the process, our team is always here to help.
Q: Can my teen immediately begin driving lessons?
A: Yes, our students can begin their driving lessons upon completion of the Driver’s Ed class and when their Drive Scout account is reactivated.
Q: What is the car like? Is it safe?
A: Absolutely! All of our cars are dependable late models that are always clean. Plus, our entire fleet is inspected regularly by the Dept. of Driver Services. The best news for nervous parents is that there is an extra brake and accelerator on the instructor’s side – just in case. So, take a deep breath. We’ve got you covered!
What happens during an in-car driving lesson?
Q: What will my teen work on during the driving lessons?
A: As you might imagine, our students have varying levels of experience out on the road. Therefore, instructional needs are as different as each individual student. In other words, no two lessons are ever alike.
Based on experience, our highly trained and patient instructors will cover how to handle the vehicle, road signs, rules of the road, and basic road skills (straight line backing, parallel parking and the turn-about). Your teen will practice IPDE (identify, predict, decide, and execute). Residential, interstate, and rush hour driving will also be covered as experience warrants.
Q: Does the instructor provide feedback after each lesson?
A: Absolutely! Our instructors meet with parents both before and after each lesson. Prior to the lesson, we discuss student needs and parent expectations. Following the lesson, we review progress and skills that were mastered and ones that require more practice.
Additionally, the instructor will post a detailed report card on the student’s Drive Scout account. Parents can view the assessment 24 hours after each in-car driving lesson.
How can parents help teens become safe drivers?
Q: What can I do between lessons to help my teen become a better driver?
A: Practice, practice, and more practice. Your teen driver’s comfort level and confidence increase over time with behind-the-wheel experience. Teaching a teen to drive is a partnership between the driving school and the parent. Obviously, the student is not going to learn how to drive in a single lesson or even over the 6-hour program.
In addition to other state requirements, your teen must have 40 hours of supervised driving experience on the road, which must include six hours of night driving, to be eligible to obtain a driver’s license. Practice is the best way to guarantee your teen’s road test readiness and safety out on the road when they become licensed, unsupervised drivers. Learning to drive is a marathon, not a sprint.
For even more answers to your questions, be sure to visit our online HELP CENTER and type your question into the search bar.
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