by Michelle Riley
Seems like just about anything can be done on the internet these days - order a pizza, rent a movie, or even download an entire book instantly. And now the classroom-phobic and just plain busy can even take drivers ed classes online! Awesome, you may think: Why spend my weekends cooped up watching car slides in a moldy classroom? But before you sign up, you might want to make sure if virtual education really is the best option for you - we’ll give you the low-down on what it is and isn’t. Consider this lesson one!
What it’s great for:
Virtual drivers ed can be a more self-paced and interactive alternative to regular drivers education class. It lets you work at your own speed, tailored to your personal schedule. It’s usually cheaper than paying tuition at a regular driving school, and your parents save time and gas money since they don’t have to drive you to and fro. But watch out: only in certain areas can you take classes online to meet the 30 hour drivers ed requirement for teens. You’ve lucked out here if you live in: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania or Texas.
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’re interested in lower car insurance rates (who isn’t?), taking a drivers ed class online can get you up to 10% off of your auto insurance, regardless of where you live or whether you’ve already got your drivers license. This is because some insurance companies reward drivers who take drivers education or a defensive driving course -check with your provider first to see if they can give you a special “safe driver” discount.
The Cons:
Even if you live in a state that lets you take drivers ed online, keep in mind that an internet-based course won’t take care of all the driving requirements you need to fulfill before you get your permit - you will still more than likely have to take several hours of actual, on-the-road drivers training as well. Depending on where you live, you can either sign up for driving instruction at a school, or have your parents teach you. Check your state’s driving manual for specifics.
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.
And finally.. once you do decide to take an online drivers ed course, research the company you choose to make sure they’re reputable: do a web search for reviews, or check their record with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). Now you’re all set - good luck and safe virtual driving!
