As some teens learn to drive, the Virginia Beach community has had an increased focus on safety, driving preparation, and confidence on the road. With a growing number of 16-year-olds testing for learner’s permits and licenses, many of them are adjusting to the responsibilities that come with driving.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, in Virginia Beach, there is a seasonal increase of teen permit testing between late summer and early winter. The traffic, large school zones, and multi-lane intersections of Virginia Beach make it a “difficult learning area.”
Brooke Ferlauto, a sophomore preparing for her road test, said the traffic patterns and spacing were hard to adjust to. “When I’m doing behind-the-wheel lessons after school, the roads can get really crowded,” Ferlauto remarked. “I’m still learning how to judge the space around me when cars are changing lanes a lot.”
Ferlauto shared that her instructors often choose practice routes that include several of the city’s heaviest traffic and busiest intersections so she can get the driving experience under different circumstances. “My parents want me to get used to the roads I’ll probably drive the most,” she said. “My mom always says that if I can handle driving near Town Center during rush hour, I am ready for anything.”
Ana Zampieron Barbosa, a sophomore who recently turned 16, said she first noticed how quickly traffic could build in school zones near her neighborhood. “After school, the line of cars stretches down the street,” she claimed. “It makes me plan ahead for where I need to turn because once you miss a chance, it is hard to get back in.”
Barbosa’s family encourages her to avoid certain high-traffic areas until she has more experience and confidence. This has helped her focus on mastering basic skills without the pressure of heavy traffic. “My parents told me to stay away from the Oceanfront until I am more comfortable,” she claimed. “They said the mix of tourists, bikers, and people crossing the road makes it tougher for new drivers.”
For others, adjusting to the geography of the city has become part of the learning process. Rowan McCarty, a sophomore who has been practicing driving for months, noted that Virginia Beach’s long, multi-lane roads were a challenge that she needed to overcome in the beginning because of the vast number of cars on the road, compared to other areas. “Driving on Lynnhaven Parkway for the first time was overwhelming,” McCarty claimed. “Cars move fast, and there are exits and turns everywhere, so I had to stay focused the whole time.”
McCarty said she still avoids taking the interstate unless it is necessary. “I know a lot of people who take I-264, but I try to stick to the main roads,” she added. “My instructor told me it was okay to wait until I feel more confident.”
Driver’s education programs in Virginia Beach high schools help to prepare students with classroom lessons covering defensive driving, road signs, and state traffic laws. Students say these lessons are helpful once they start practicing in real traffic situations.
Ferlauto noticed how one of the class videos about merging had a direct impact on her driving. “They showed how quickly a car in your blind spot can disappear,” she said. “After that, I kept practicing shoulder checks every time my instructor told me to merge on busy roads.”
McCarty said her favorite part of the class involved looking at teen crash rates. She said it helped her understand why instructors emphasize reaction time. “When I practiced stopping at red lights on Independence, I could tell I needed to leave more space.”
Families often develop their own personal rules for new drivers, especially when students begin driving at night or in unfamiliar areas.
Barbosa said her family requires her to check in whenever she leaves one location and arrives at another. “They want to know I’m safe, especially if I’m driving near the Oceanfront where there are more people walking around,” she said.
Students also noted that road conditions in the city can change quickly depending on the weather. Ferlauto said her parents want her to be prepared for driving during storms. “If there’s heavy rain, some roads flood really fast,” she added. “My dad always reminds me that certain lanes near the Oceanfront get slippery.”
As more Virginia Beach teens reach the milestone of turning 16, many continue balancing practice hours, driver’s education requirements, and lessons learned from their families.
