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After having met the State of Maine’s requirements for becoming a driver education instructor, The Driving School provides extensive training beyond the courses, and tracks each individual’s progress. Management works with the teachers constantly, always exposing them to new teaching techniques.

Mullen is a demanding employer, and he’s proud of it. "We have an extensive curriculum," he says. "We require high standards, from both our students and our teachers."

(Who made the cut? Meet them here.)

A good teacher can get through to students, and to Mullen, there’s nothing more important. "Without a doubt, the most important thing I want our students to leave the class with is attitude, definitely. Attitude and maturity."

Mullen feels that attitude is so important, in fact, that he warranties every new driver who completes his program. If a student finishes the course, and has a bad attitude while he’s driving with his parents, they can send him back to do the entire classroom portion of the course again. For free.

Mullen recognizes how difficult it is for parents to start driving with their kids after the students receive their permits— after all, he’s experienced it.

"Kids tend to drive for one hour and think they’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. But the actual process of driving is something a monkey could do. What we try to teach— and what parents are trying to teach— is maturity and responsibility."

Statistically speaking, the most dangerous time for new drivers is the first six months after receiving their licenses, and the best way for any parent to make sure that their child is safe is to drive with them. “Before you can apply for a license, the state of Maine requires thirty-five hours of driving with an experienced driver after the permit is issued. We strongly recommend seventy-five to one hundred," Mullen says. This extra practice behind the wheel could make all the difference.

The Driving School also supports parents in other ways. Parents can attend as many classroom lessons as they like, and ask questions of the instructors. Driving laws change every year, and since the parents are spending at least thirty-five hours teaching their kids, their knowledge must be up-to-date. Our instructors are eager to help parents every way they can. Students should send for their licenses only after their parents feel comfortable with their driving.

In the end, though, the responsibility lies with the students. After they’ve received their licenses, each student has to choose to put all the lessons into practice. For the rest of their driving careers, they should become a little better every time they get behind the wheel. It’s a never-ending process.

"Drivers' ed class plus five years of experience equals an average driver," says Mullen. "And who wants to be average?"


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