https://drivesmart.academy/blog Teen driving safety, the research behind driver education, and how U.S. licensing laws work. en-us https://drivesmart.academy/blog/what-is-graduated-driver-licensing https://drivesmart.academy/blog/what-is-graduated-driver-licensing Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT State Laws Every U.S. state phases teens into full driving privileges in stages. Here's what the three GDL stages mean, why they exist, and how to think about them. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/does-drivers-ed-reduce-crashes-research https://drivesmart.academy/blog/does-drivers-ed-reduce-crashes-research Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Research & Learning The honest answer is more interesting than yes or no. Decades of research reveal why traditional driver's ed disappointed — and what modern programs do differently. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/hundred-deadliest-days-summer-teen-driving https://drivesmart.academy/blog/hundred-deadliest-days-summer-teen-driving Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Safety & Trends Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, teen-involved crashes climb sharply. Here's why summer is so dangerous for new drivers — and what families can do about it. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/ohio-gdl-requirements-explained https://drivesmart.academy/blog/ohio-gdl-requirements-explained Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT State Laws From the temporary permit to a full license, here's how Ohio walks teen drivers through graduated licensing — the permits, the hours, and the restrictions. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/teenage-brain-behind-the-wheel https://drivesmart.academy/blog/teenage-brain-behind-the-wheel Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Research & Learning Teen driving risk isn't just inexperience — it's developmental. Here's what brain science says about why, and why that's a reason for structure, not despair. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/distracted-driving-phones-new-drivers https://drivesmart.academy/blog/distracted-driving-phones-new-drivers Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Safety & Trends Phones are the most visible driving distraction, but they aren't the only one. Here's how distraction causes crashes and what genuinely reduces it for new drivers. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/how-gdl-laws-vary-by-state https://drivesmart.academy/blog/how-gdl-laws-vary-by-state Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT State Laws Every state uses graduated licensing, but the details differ a lot. Here's where the variation lives — and why it matters if your family moves or travels. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/why-supervised-practice-hours-matter https://drivesmart.academy/blog/why-supervised-practice-hours-matter Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Research & Learning Most states require dozens of hours of supervised driving before licensure. The number isn't arbitrary — and how you use those hours matters as much as hitting it. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/first-year-licensed-driver-risk https://drivesmart.academy/blog/first-year-licensed-driver-risk Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Safety & Trends Crash risk for new drivers is highest in the first months after licensure, then falls fast. Understanding why points to exactly where families should focus. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/history-of-graduated-licensing https://drivesmart.academy/blog/history-of-graduated-licensing Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT State Laws Graduated licensing is so standard now it's easy to forget it's relatively new. The story of how GDL spread is a rare public-health success worth knowing. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/scenario-based-learning-hazard-perception https://drivesmart.academy/blog/scenario-based-learning-hazard-perception Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Research & Learning Vehicle control is the easy part. The harder, more protective skill is seeing trouble before it happens — and unlike instinct, it can be trained. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/night-driving-teen-crash-risk https://drivesmart.academy/blog/night-driving-teen-crash-risk Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Safety & Trends Far fewer miles are driven at night, yet a disproportionate share of fatal teen crashes happen after dark. Here's why — and how to build the skill safely. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/future-of-teen-licensing-adas-telematics https://drivesmart.academy/blog/future-of-teen-licensing-adas-telematics Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT State Laws Graduated licensing reshaped teen safety in the '90s. The next wave — driver-assist tech, telematics, and data-informed coaching — is already arriving. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/parents-as-driving-coaches-evidence https://drivesmart.academy/blog/parents-as-driving-coaches-evidence Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Research & Learning During the learning-to-drive years, parents are the most influential safety factor a teen has. Here's how to use that role well — backed by research. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/speed-and-stopping-distance-physics https://drivesmart.academy/blog/speed-and-stopping-distance-physics Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Safety & Trends Speeding is a factor in a large share of teen crashes. The reason is physics — and it's more dramatic than most new drivers realize. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/permit-to-license-milestones https://drivesmart.academy/blog/permit-to-license-milestones Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT State Laws The road from learner's permit to an unrestricted license has predictable checkpoints. Here's the typical sequence — and what each stage is really for. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/spaced-repetition-permit-test https://drivesmart.academy/blog/spaced-repetition-permit-test Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT Research & Learning The night-before cram is a tradition for a reason — it sort of works for the test. But it's the worst way to actually learn the rules you'll drive by for life. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/passengers-peer-influence-young-drivers https://drivesmart.academy/blog/passengers-peer-influence-young-drivers Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT Safety & Trends One of the best-documented findings in teen-driving research: each additional young passenger raises crash risk. Here's the why behind passenger restrictions. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/cell-phone-laws-young-drivers https://drivesmart.academy/blog/cell-phone-laws-young-drivers Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT State Laws Many states ban all phone use for young drivers, even hands-free. Here's how these laws generally work and the reasoning behind the tougher standard for teens. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/confidence-competence-gap-new-drivers https://drivesmart.academy/blog/confidence-competence-gap-new-drivers Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT Research & Learning The most dangerous moment for a new driver may be when fear fades but skill hasn't caught up. Understanding that gap is key to managing it. https://drivesmart.academy/blog/drowsy-driving-teens-sleep https://drivesmart.academy/blog/drowsy-driving-teens-sleep Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT Safety & Trends Teens are chronically short on sleep, and fatigue impairs driving in ways that look a lot like alcohol. It's one of the least-discussed risks for young drivers.