This excellent defensive driving skills program is highly recommended for any teenage driver.  Heck, everyone could benefit from Driver's Edge and I wish it was around back when I got licensed in the Dark Ages.  Geared for drivers 21 and under, this free, non-profit program is one that I heard about when I worked for one of the municipal courts back in the day.  One of the judges would sentence juvenile traffic offenders to this program in lieu of a fine.  When it was time for my own teen to get licensed, I went to the website and registered for updates so I'd know when they'd be back in town.  The program is a half-day at the Las Vegas Speedway and includes behind-the-wheel learning for the young drivers, important things that never get taught in traditional driver's education. There are four modules:  - car care (tire safety, seatbelts, steering wheel and seat position, under the hood basics, distracted driving)  - Nevada Highway Patrol (an officer discusses what to do if pulled over, DUIs, open Q & A)  - behind-the-wheel ABS braking exercises with professional drivers, including evasive lane maneuvers  - behind-the-wheel skid control exercisesParents are invited to attend the course with their children.  We were in the morning session on a very cold and windy day at the Speedway. It actually started to rain, too.  However, the four classes held that weekend were totally full.  I was able to snag a spot when registration opened online, but I had friends who couldn't get in; it had been 8 months since the last Driver's Edge weekend was held in town, so I know that people were waiting for it to return.  Starting with registration in tents at the Speedway, there was hot coffee and donuts waiting inside.  The program started with a short film about local teens who were involved in a horrific car crash where a couple of the passengers died and then an introduction about Driver's Edge from its founder, Jeff Payne.  He talked about the schedule and then the students were split into the four different modules, rotating from one to the other until each student had attended each.  All of the instructors have impressive backgrounds, many either professional NASCAR drivers and/or Skip Barber driving school educators.  There was even a former "Bachelorette" star there, Arie Luyendyk, Jr., who taught the skid control module.  I only know he was on that show because the other instructors teased him about it and one of my friends couldn't believe I didn't know who he was when I mentioned it to her; oh well.Our son enjoyed the skid control and ABS exercises the most, of course, and those are probably the most valuable, in my opinion.  The kids are given the chance to experience what it feels like to lose control of the car, skid, and maneuver evasively in someone else's car with a professional driver right beside you.  These teens were going as fast as they could and then slam on the brakes; I never did that when I learned how to drive.  If you want your teen to take this course, and you should, go to the website and sign up for the updates so you can be notified when they offer the program here again.  It's invaluable; all they ask is that you make a donation.  It was a very educational four hours spent with the teen and knowing that he's taken the course makes this mom a little less nervous about the kid out on the road.driversedge.org/program Read Less

"Teaching a kid how to parallel park doesn't keep him or her safe on the road," the Driver's Edge workshop began. "Knowing what to do when your car spins out of control does." Those words are now permanently etched in my mind, along with the observation that traditional driver's education doesn't work. In fact, one reason why teens are so accident-prone is that the driver's education they usually receive is obsolete. It can be tough out there on the roads--they need to know what to do when they lock-up the brakes. They need to recover from hydroplaning. They need to learn how to steer around cones and come to a safe halt. They need to know how cool it is to wear a seat belt and sit properly! Taught out at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Driver's Edge does all that--and more. I was really impressed. The team of racecar drivers really knows how to communicate with teens. The tone is frank--there is a lot of humor and some compelling anecdotes--but the substance is real. It resonates. My kid was skeptical (he wanted to sleep in instead of spending his Saturday in driving instruction). But he really, really enjoyed the workshop, and learned a lot. He even bragged about it to his friends! And, unbelievably, the program is free. And my kid wasn't the only one who learned--I picked up a ton of information, too, and I've been driving for almost three decades. If everyone went to Driver's Edge, our roads would be so much safer. If you're hesitating about going, don't. Just register. You won't regret it. Read Less