Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen road trip comedy has drugs, drinking, swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Driver's Ed
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
After his girlfriend (Lilah Pate) moves out of state to go to college, high school senior Jeremy (Sam Nivola) is lovesick. And after he gets a "drunk dial" call from her in which she seems on the verge of breaking up with him, he carjacks the DRIVER'S ED car—with instructor Mr. Rivers (Kumail Nanjiani) and his fellow student drivers in it—to drive to her and try to save the relationship. Luckily, his classmates—Aparna (Mohana Krishnan), Yoshi (Aidan Laprete), and Evie (Sophie Telegadis)—are up for the adventure.
Is It Any Good?
Director Bobby Farrelly's road trip comedy steers away from the shock humor that made his early career but still has enough gas to make viewers laugh through the red lights. Teens do enjoy a "naughty" comedy, and somehow, doing the very wrong thing in Driver's Ed—stealing a school vehicle, evading police, harboring a drug dealer, drinking at a college party—feels OK. Not acceptable, but also not bad. As Nanjiani's substitute driver's ed teacher says throughout, these are good kids. And the reason for their joyride? A romantic gesture. Stealing the car is like when the kid in Love, Actually dodges through airport security to express his love to his crush. Is it illegal and reckless? Of course. But in our heart of hearts, we all think young love means never having to say you're sorry. (At least in the movies.)
The near-universal truth of the college road trip is that it does make memories, friendships are formed, and independence and confidence are gained. And young people can be counted on to make forehead-slapping decisions that cascade into problems. But they get through it together and come out stronger. Driver's Ed is a little fast, but it fuels the spirit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the hallmarks of both teen comedies and roadtrip comedies. What do you expect from those types of films? How does Driver's Ed compare to others you've seen in both categories?
How are underage drinking and drug use depicted? Is substance use glamorized? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
Having smartphones tends to be a problem in cinematic storytelling, since they can be used to solve so many problems easily. Once the phones are gone in this movie, what opportunities open up for comedy and character growth? Think about that in real life: What problems do smart devices solve, and what social problems do they create?
What makes something a romantic gesture? How are those typically depicted in the movies? Would you call Sam's act a romantic gesture or a desperate one? What's the difference?
What real-life consequences would Jeremy, Evie, Aparna, and Yoshi face? What do you think would really happen to the school principal and the driver's ed teacher? Do you like a happy ending, even if it's not realistic?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 15, 2026
- Cast : Sam Nivola , Kumail Nanjiani , Sophie Telegadis , Molly Shannon
- Director : Bobby Farrelly
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Vertical Entertainment
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : School ( College & Graduate School , High School ) , Transportation ( Cars & Trucks )
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout, teen drinking and alcohol use, sexual references and brief graphic nudity
- Last updated : May 21, 2026
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