Learning to drive is an important part of growing up. But for many students at Wilsonville High School, taking Driver’s Ed can be hard because it’s not offered at school. Instead, students have to take it outside of school, and it can cost a lot of money, sometimes hundreds of dollars. That’s not something every family can afford.

If driver’s ed was a class at school, it would help more students learn how to drive without spending so much. It could be an elective, like art or PE, where students learn the rules of the road, how to be safe drivers, and what to do in real situations. They could also earn credit for it while learning something useful for their future, “i think it would be useful for kids to learn to drive and be safe and create safer roads,” Elliot Mast, a sophomore explained.

This could also help students who are busy with jobs or sports after school. A class during the day would make it easier to fit Driver’s Ed into their schedules. “Not everybody’s parents can drive them at the times required for driver’s ed further away,” said Ryder Quinn, a freshman. It would also give everyone equal time to learn instead of having to squeeze in lessons on weekends or late at night.

Many schools in other places already have Driver’s Ed as part of the school day. Students get to practice driving, learn from trained teachers, and feel more ready to take their driving test. It also helps students feel more confident and safe when they start driving on their own.

At Wilsonville High, having this class could help students who don’t have access to a car or can’t pay for private lessons. Everyone would have the same chance to learn. Plus, it could even lower the number of accidents if more teens were trained the right way.

Making Driver’s Ed a class would be a smart and helpful change. It would prepare students for real life and help them be safer on the road.