Before the next generation hits the road, they have to learn how to drive. If you own a BMW, it’s only fitting your teenager hones their craft in a Bimmer.
The BMW Teen School offers this opportunity at its performance centers, giving your child a comprehensive experience, but is it worth the price tag?
Here’s a guide to BMW driver’s education for teenagers.
The BMW Teen School Experience
Learning to be a good driver can be intimidating, so a comprehensive and safe experience is crucial. The BMW Teen School offers a unique adventure for your teen at the manufacturer’s performance centers.
1. Finding the Locations
Where can you find this educational course? The BMW Performance Driving School is in Thermal, California, and Greer, South Carolina. The East Coast location is across the street from the South Carolina plant that exports over 200,000 Bimmers annually.
The other facility is at BMW Performance Center West — a short drive from the Salton Sea and Joshua Tree National Park. This driving course takes teens near the mountains while navigating a fun road course under sunny skies.
2. Enjoying the Experience
The course goes beyond your typical driver’s education class in high school. Your teen will learn driving essentials like panic braking and changing lanes in emergencies in one or two days. These skills are essential because predicting when you’ll need them is hard.
Participants also endure a distracted driving test for an eye-opening experience. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association says 3,308 people died in 2022 due to distracted driving, so the school provides critical perspectives. Ultimately, you test your knowledge with the teen challenge course as a wrap-up.
3. Doubling the Fun
The regular experience at the BMW performance centers lasts a day. However, you can double the fun by enrolling your teen in the two-day school. The second day goes beyond the original course by offering more intense driving and even more fun on the track.
The second day introduces your kid to double lane changes and wet skid pad training. Students get to drive a BMW X on the off-road course, giving them an incredible opportunity on the dunes. You also get to take various Bimmers for a spin on the paved track.
Is the BMW Teen School Worth the Price?
The BMW Teen School offers one or two days of driving lessons, ranging from $999 to $1,999 for your kids. While the price tag seems steep, the experience provides invaluable experience on the road. Your child might not get as much individualized teaching in their driver’s education class, so the BMW course could provide more training.
Another consideration is simulating dangerous experiences. You won’t get to practice interstate braking at high speeds in a typical class, so the schooling could be what your teen needs to stay safe. The Department of Transportation says the U.S. had about 8.5 million teen drivers in 2021, so teaching valuable driving skills is crucial.
Consider the BMW Teen School if you live near the South Carolina or California locations. These courses may be expensive for some families, so they’re more accessible if you live close to the performance centers. Your teen’s experience could be a good graduation gift or part of a larger summer vacation to the area.
Preparing Your Teen for BMW Teen School
The BMW Teen School is an excellent venue for driving lessons. Before they enroll, your child should prepare with a few clever tactics. Here’s how you can boost their confidence before the experience.
1. Say Positive Affirmations
Your kid may have ridden in Bimmers, but the feeling is much different when you’re in the driver’s seat. If they display nerves beforehand, encourage them to practice positive affirmations.
Experts say these words decrease stress and impact happiness by making them feel better about the situation. Encourage your child to say, “I believe in myself” or “Many exciting experiences are coming for me.”
2. Introduce Stick Shift
BMW offers manual and automatic transmission vehicles, though you might have more fun in a stick shift. The different cars mean your teen might benefit from learning to drive a manual transmission.
This experience remains with them and improves their understanding of the vehicle. Adhere to the basics of manual transmissions, starting with the three pedals and teaching them how to use the clutch.
3. Teach BMW Specifics
Some kids may have driving experience before they enter the BMW Teen School. If they’ve never driven a Bimmer, they may be surprised to learn how different these vehicles are from rival manufacturers.
BMW enthusiasts adore their cars because of the traction control and other advanced features. While the grip can make driving easier, tell your teen not to get overenthusiastic when driving on the track.
Learning From the BMW Teen School
Driving is a critical skill to learn in modern transportation. While many courses teach the basics, it’s hard to match the experience at the BMW Teen School. If your family doesn’t mind the price tag, it can be an excellent class for your new driver.