License To Drive-

What teenager or pre-teen would not be drawn in to this title? When my twelve year old saw it laying on the desk he disappeared for several days! This program took precedence over all the simulation games he was playing at the time. Most kids are so anxious to drive that the idea of learning more is naturally appealing, especially when it does not need to come from a text book or an adult teacher.

"License To Drive" is really a very simple program. There is nothing extraordinary about it, but the subject in this case is appealing enough to keep most kids glued to their screens. The program is set up so that you must work your way through four general knowledge areas. You must show at least 80% proficiency in "Before you drive" (general rules of licensing etc.,) "Roadway Realities" (weather, emergencies and infractions,) "Hitting the Road" (defensive driving, expressways, sharing the road etc.,) and "The Responsible Driver" (alcohol education, etiquette etc.) Each of these areas consists of slide presentations which present the knowledge your student must learn in a simple textbook like fashion. At the end of each presentation they are asked series of true/false and multiple choice questions. In each area there is also a simulation exercise. These are excellent and many adults could benefit from a brief review in some of these areas. Simulations such as right of way exercises, braking distance simulations and stopping distance exercises help to refine the students skill and knowledge. Encourage your kids to read the text on each screen as the audio which accompanies it does not read the text in it's entirety. As a side note the program can be run in either English or Spanish.

This program is not meant to take the place of the state booklets you can get from your local offices, but it will go a long way to teach your child many of the skills he will need. The subject itself is appealing and I know of no other program which teaches drivers training at this time. I felt the price was a bit high for this program, so check a few local dealers and see if you can find a good sale. It may not be a mind-blowing program, but it has created a pretty well informed backseat driver at our house!

Grading:

Educational value- 4
Entertainment value- 3
Use of medium- 2
Age- 10+

I can no longer find Janus Interactive. This program is mostly likely out of print sorry to say. Watch for it on Ebay.com!