Driving School vs. Parent-Taught Driving in Dumont, NJ – What’s Best for Your Teen?

If you’re trying to decide the best way for your teen to learn how to drive in Dumont, NJ, others are facing the same question. Local families have been coming to us at Adventure Driving School in Dumont NJ, asking us the same question:

Should we decide to teach our teen to drive or should we register them in a professional driving course?

Learning from family has some perks, just like formal classes. Driving with your teen instead of using a professional may make you feel more comfortable, have more freedom, and save money. On the other hand, there are some problems too—for instance, needing to know the latest rules for driving in New Jersey, creating a relaxed learning atmosphere, and preparing your teen for the road test since they do not have much experience yet.

Meanwhile, taking a certified driving course includes lessons from professionals, use of cars with two sets of controls and support for every part of getting a license. Often, parents learn that sending their teen to a professional course builds their child’s confidence, prepares them well and gives them all the tools required for passing the NJ road test.

In this post, we will look at both methods so you can figure out the right fit for your child and how a local driving school can assist you.

What Is Parent-Taught Driving?

This method means that a parent or guardian spends time teaching the teen to drive, instead of signing them up with a driving school. Parents teach their children by using the car to practice each part of driving. The basic skills include turning, braking, and parking, and the advanced ones are highway driving, parallel parking, switching lanes, and practicing defensive driving.

Being taught by your parent allows you to learn to drive flexibly. Parents can choose when to train their children, perform during convenient times and spend private lessons at home. In this case, teenagers learn to drive for free, which means less money spent on lessons, and parents can use it as a bonding time with their teens.

Nonetheless, some flaws should be looked at. Parents could share bad habits from driving or older information, and not keep up with the latest MVC rules in New Jersey. Sometimes, kids can feel more worried about learning from a parent than from someone who is not close to them. Even though parent-taught driving can be suitable for certain families, it’s necessary to think about both the positives and negatives, especially if making sure drivers pass a road test or stay safe matters a lot.

Pros:

You can decide when you are available to drive for the company
A place where the teen can feel comfortable while learning
There are no fees to pay for learning at the beginning.

Cons:

Sometimes, parents inadvertently pass on negative behavior to their kids.
Not knowing the current changes in NJ MVC rules
No feature for dual-controlled vehicles to ensure extra safety
There is no necessary road test preparation involved.

What Does a Driving School in Dumont NJ Offer?

Adventure Driving School and other licensed schools in Dumont, NJ, give teen drivers and their families several useful advantages. Students at Drive Center enjoy lessons taught by experienced instructors who are approved by the state. They include practices for handling a vehicle and for dealing with complex traffic, making you ready for most situations. What’s more, driving programs help you get ready with the real MVC test by training on actual New Jersey roads. By using dual-control cars, instructors maintain safety and give comfort to everyone involved in the process.

Benefits of a Certified Driving School:

Certified instructors trained to teach nervous or first-time drivers
Access to dual-control cars for added safety
Familiarity with NJ road test routes and expectations
Eligibility for insurance discounts
Professional training that meets NJ GDL law requirements

Driving School vs. Parent-Taught: A Quick Comparison

Feature	Parent-Taught Driving	Professional Driving School
Instructor Qualifications	Unlicensed	NJ MVC-Certified
Road Test Familiarity	Limited	Extensive
Safety Equipment	None	Dual-brake system
Legal Compliance (GDL)	Risk of missing steps	Fully compliant
Insurance Benefits	Rare	Often available with a certificate
Confidence Behind the Wheel	Varies	Consistently built with practice

What New Jersey Law Requires for Teen Drivers

To get their driver’s license in New Jersey, teen drivers must successfully complete the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program, which helps them gain road experience carefully. Eligible drivers under 17 must take part in at least six hours of driving lessons from a licensed school as a requirement for this program. Thus, teens get help from certified drivers who understand what is required during the New Jersey road test and license regulations.

Before practicing driving, teens have to get a learner’s permit approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). After getting their permit, teenagers have to practice driving with an adult supervisor who is 21 or more years old. It is required to have supervision, no matter who helps with the practice.

Although parents and guardians may help out during driving lessons, the law in New Jersey points out that all 16-year-olds should have professional lessons as well to prepare them for their driving road test.

Why Driving School is the Better Choice for Most Families

While some families do succeed with parent-led driving, a professional driving school provides:

Better preparation for the road test
Master Parallel Parking with Confidence
Safer practice sessions (dual-control vehicles)
Peace of mind for parents
More structured progress for teens

At Adventure Driving School, we’ve helped thousands of Dumont-area students pass their test on the first try. Our instructors are calm, supportive, and know what it takes to succeed in Bergen County.

Final Thoughts: What’s Right for You?

Both options can work, but if your teen is nervous, you’re unsure about NJ laws, or you want to give them the best shot at passing their test, a driving school is the safer, smarter choice.