It is heartening to see more and more states adopting online drivers ed as an option for students to fulfill their coursework requirements. As a veteran drivers ed instructor, it seems only logical to me for this trend to be gaining a foothold. Like many subjects, students are much more likely to learn and retain information they’ve received via visual learning. Lectures and endless written work can only go so far in teaching a student how to drive safely and properly. This is why I have created a list of online drivers ed reviews for schools I highly recommend. I’ve only included the ones I find fulfill all of the needs of a student driver and their parents.
My Steadfast Requirements for ALL Online Drivers Ed Courses
You may find that I scrutinize the online drivers ed courses with a much keener eye than I would the online traffic schools. Why? It’s simple. What teenagers learn while first taking on the challenge of driving is something they will carry with them through the rest of their lives. Driving is perhaps the most dangerous task we undertake on a regular basis. Despite cars becoming safer, the number one accidental death cause still remains auto accidents. Call them habits or learned behaviors – good driving practices will allow teenagers to drive more consciously and conscientiously, not just now, but throughout their lifetimes.
It may seem my standards are unreasonably high for online drivers ed courses, but I feel that it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry. This is my litmus test for any and all online drivers ed courses:
The program must have at least ten years of experience. No ifs, ands or buts about it…
- The program itself must have seen a minimum of one-million graduates over the years
- The program absolutely must have a good, reliable, unbiased online reputation backed by sites such as Yelp, scamcheck websites, online discussion forums, Better Business Bureau, etc.)
- The program must be able to verify a student’s eligibility and prove that they are certified in the states they advertise their services being valid in
- The program must offer a full money-back guarantee
- I must personally have a high opinion of them; if you have experienced any issues with a course I’ve recommended here or elsewhere, I ask that you contact me
- I must feel completely comfortable (as a certified driving instructor) recommending a program to my family and friends. If I wouldn’t enroll my own kids in a program, I wouldn’t even think of recommending you enroll yours.
Forget the Classroom – Online Drivers Ed is Often More Effective
I’ve obviously taken into account that everyone has a different learning style. As such, it wouldn’t be fair for me to say that any and all students would far excel in an online drivers ed course. Some learners need to be able to interface one-on-one with the instructor to be able to fully grasp the concepts being presented. Others do fine without that interaction. It’s ultimately your call. You know your teen better than anyone else.
Despite this, I’ve found in my experience that most parents are able to easily answer almost all of the driving questions their teens might have and guide them through the process of actually learning to drive. I say this, taking into account that most of you parents and guardians have been driving for twenty years or more by the time your teenager is ready to drive. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not calling you old – I’m really calling you wise! When you think about it, what you have is a great deal of real-world experience that has been earned over decades of daily driving (with an assumption that the majority of that driving is accident and ticket-free).
When drivers ed courses are taken online, they tend to be more engaging for the student. Especially given the current generation’s affinity for all things digital, the visual stimuli of photos, animations, videos, interactive quizzes and other electronically delivered media will more likely be absorbed and retained. Long gone are the days of ho-hum learning through textbooks, lectures and workbooks. The interactive aspect of online courses is something that lectures in a classroom just can’t deliver. Another added advantage is the ability for the student to revisit any difficult areas of the course without having to stop the instructor, or even worse – forgo the information all together.
I think you can probably tell that I am big supporter of online learning for drivers ed. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this method of learning to anyone at this point!
I know how daunting the task of finding the right online drivers ed school can be. I’ve taken a lot of the guesswork and heavy lifting out of the equation for you. In addition, I contacted all of the schools below for discounts for my readers. Not a single one said “No,” so you’re in luck! On top of that, if you would be so kind as to use the exclusive referral links I’ve included, I’ll get a little kickback for my research – a win-win for everyone involved!
Online Drivers Ed Courses I Trust & Recommend
I could go on and on, but rather than do that, I will just share with you my recommendations for online drivers ed courses I’ve found to be good options. Please keep in mind that these schools aren’t the only ones out there. These are just the ones I’ve personally vetted and thoroughly checked out. What I can do is I can assure you that you’ll be satisfied with your experience with any of the schools in this list below; I’ve also made sure that the schools themselves guarantee your satisfaction or you will receive your money back!
Number One: iDriveSafely Teen Driver Course
I know I shouldn’t play favorites, but I simply can’t help it. Up to this point, iDriveSafely has been my top pick. They have an unrivaled reputation for turning out great drivers. Secondly, they’ve been around online for over a decade, turning out about five-million graduating students. That’s a lot of drivers on the roads!
In addition, they have maintained stellar reviews on online ratings sites and an A+ with the Better Business Bureau – not an easy feat!
Other high points:
- Resources for both students and parents are provided. It’s essential for new learners to be able to turn to their parents for answers. The included parent guide goes a long way toward helping parents effectively help their teens.
- Money-back guarantee. If a company isn’t willing to offer a guarantee like this, they may have something to hide.
- Customer support is available 24/7 – no waiting for days to have problems resolved and hoping your ticket wasn’t lost in the shuffle.
- A full array of high-quality animations, videos and games are offered, in addition to other learning resources.
- Money-back guarantee.
Number Two: Improv Traffic School Drivers Ed
I must admit that Improv is almost a tie with iDriveSafely. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was to learn that they’re offering online drivers ed programs. Their approach is a little more unconventional, but no less effective. They have taken the “meh” out of the equation by having stand-up comedians from Improv Comedy Club deliver the material through humorous routines. It’s been found that human retention rates are much higher when they are entertained while being educated.
Other high points:
- This program is becoming available in more and more states
- Excellent delivery of material for unconventional learners
- Great customer service
- Money-back guarantee
Number Three: Online Teen Drivers Ed
I guess it’s obvious by now that a program’s longevity means a great deal to me. Online Teen Drivers Ed has been around for ages. This company was one of the first online schools created to offer these types of courses and they’ve stood the test of time.
Another benefit of using this school is their recently upgraded videos and animations. Everything has a sort of 3D edge, making it incredibly fun to watch and participate. Most students find themselves completely immersed in the material in the first few minutes.
Other high points:
- Resources for both teens and parents are included to enrich the learning experience
- Maintains A+ rating with the BBB
- Holds a TSC certification
- Offers a full money-back guarantee
Number Four: Teen Driving Course Online
My opinion of this course has changed drastically as of just recently. It used to be old, tired and outdated. They realized something was wrong and gave it a major overhaul – it still doesn’t rival iDriveSafely or Online Teen Drivers Ed in aesthetics and overall visual quality, but it does offer a lower price tag.
Other high points:
- This program boasts a rock-solid A+ BBB rating
- Over a decade of experience
- TSC certified
- Offer a money-back guarantee
Number Five: Driver Ed To Go Teen Driving Course
Although this course doesn’t catch my attention like some of the others, it’s a great option for the budget-minded. Don’t get me wrong – they’re a good company. I just feel that the visuals such as graphics, animations and video. That said, they are still a completely solid and legitimate company with a great reputation. If cost is a concern, this is a great company to go with!
Other high points:
- In business for more than ten years
- A+ BBB rating
- Presented on my site for over two years without any complaints
- TSC certified
- Typically least-expensive online drivers ed course available
- Money-back guarantee
Number Six: Safe2Drive Online Drivers Ed
This is an interesting and surprisingly effective program. Only available in Texas, this program is completely parent-taught. You read that right – YOU are the instructor. The Safe2Drive Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education Program is one of the only of its kind in the country. Developed and operated by Inventrum, LLC, this unique program is approved through the Texas Dept. of Public Safety.
Other high points:
- You and your child work together to determine the best method of learning for him or her
- You will receive all the information and training aids needed to help your teen become an excellent driver
- Inventrum, LLC has strong reputation for being excellent traffic school provider in many states
- Affordable pricing structure
Are My Picks the Only Good Schools Available?
The easy answer? Probably no. While there are a ton of pretty awful online drivers ed programs available across the internet, I’m sure that there are still some good, reputable schools that I haven’t listed. The main reason I didn’t mention them is that I don’t have experience with them, or they don’t offer anything that I find makes them noteworthy.
The main reason I’d encourage you to consider the programs outlined above is that I have verified that each of these is completely legitimate and maintains a good reputation. I’ve thoroughly researched them and made sure they won’t take you for a ride, so to speak. They’re also willing to offer you a discount, which is just a little added bonus!
Additionally, they all offer at least ten years of experience — my absolute requirement — in the field along with offer money-back guarantees. This doesn’t mean that I don’t fully encourage you to do your own research. This is not a decision to make hastily. If you happen to find a company you think is noteworthy, please let me know and I’ll try to check it out!
Just How Does This Work?
Most online drivers ed focuses on state-specific requirements to ensure your teen is receiving all of the information they need to successfully learn the material and pass the tests. It’s worth it to mention that in some states, online drivers ed programs are only permissible for drivers permit study. On the other side of the spectrum, some states allow online drivers ed, eliminating months of classroom time that could be better spent learning and practicing, fulfilling many of the state drivers ed requirements. All of the schools I’ve listed above (except number six, which is obviously only applicable in Texas) will have a drop-down menu listing states they’re available for. On the state-specific pages you will find information that will outline the process for taking online courses and passing the required tests in your particular state.
I’ve presented you with a decent amount of information to chew on. I hope it has been helpful in guiding you toward the most logical option for your teen’s drivers ed requirements. As I’ve stated above, this is by no means a comprehensive guide to online drivers ed programs, but it should give you a good starting point. I do highly encourage you to visit the sites above, look at their offerings and use the information you gain to make the right choice for you and your teen.