Is Online Drivers Ed Right For Me?

By Michelle Riley

What do the following activities have in common: ordering pizza, renting movies, checking your bank account, taking drivers ed..? They can all be done online! Taking drivers education on the internet can be a great option for the classroom-phobic or the super busy, but is it right for you? Read this article before you sign up - we've got lesson one for you right here.

The Pros:

If you like interactive learning and do best when you can absorb information at your own pace and schedule, you might just want to consider taking drivers ed online. The advantages are that the fees are usually cheaper than at a regular driving school, and you and your parents won't have to deal with the hassle of driving to and from class. One very important note: it's only if you live in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania or Texas that you can fulfill the 30 hour drivers ed requirement (for teens) online.

As for those of you in the other 41 states: you're still required to do it the old fashioned way - find a driving school and sit through the required classroom time (don't worry, it's really not that bad!). But you can still sign up for an online course to qualify for an insurance discount or to purchase practice questions for the written test. There are even several companies that will refund your money if you don't get your permit on the first try!

If you are interested in lowering your auto insurance rates (and who isn't..!?), completing an online drivers ed class can qualify you for a discount of up to 10% - and it doesn't matter where you live or how long you've been driving. But first, check with your insurance company to make sure they have a policy of rewarding drivers who take "safe driving" courses.

What's not-so-great:

One important thing to keep in mind is that you will still have to take driving instruction even if you've completed an online drivers ed class in accordance with your state's requirement. This means you'll need to actually get behind the wheel with either a qualified instructor or a parent, depending on what your state allows. The requirement is usually around 6 hours, but varies from state to state - so check out your driving manual to be sure.

Everyone has a different learning style, and taking an online drivers ed class requires you to keep on top of your work without much supervision, even if it's 20 minutes a day. If you tend to be easily distracted by fun stuff like IMs, flash games, or MySpace any time you're on the internet, then you might have a hard time getting through the course material on your own. In this case, you might really benefit more from a traditional classroom environment at a driving school - do your best to figure out which method will be better for you.

So, to wrap up: if you do decide that online drivers ed is for you, make sure to choose a company that's solid and reputable, just like you would in non-virtual life. Search the web for other people's reviews, and check their reputation with the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org. Ready to get started? Best of luck, and don't be late to class!

About the Author:

Want to obtain your drivers license? We can help! Check out some time-tested advice and play a drivers ed game at http://www.driversed-game.com.