Teen drivers have the highest risk of involvement in an accident of any age group. Considering that fact, you can see why it’s vitally important for teens to take a good driver education course so they can learn how to drive safely and responsibly.
Taking an online course seems like the most convenient way to learn how to drive, but not all states recognize online programs. Read on to find out if your state accepts or offers online driver education courses. Then we’ll give you a list of the best programs. Finally, we’ll give you tools to help lower the extremely high insurance rates for a 16-year-old.
Online Driver Education State Availability
Many states require teens to complete a driver education course before they can get a license if they’re under 18 years old. Over half the states in the U.S. require teens to take an in-person state-approved education course and behind-the-wheel training.
Twenty states do allow for specific online courses to fulfill their education requirements.
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Even if you can’t find your state in this list, your teen can still benefit from what they can learn in an online program in addition to on-the-road lessons from a parent. It may help them pass their permit test and supplement their in-person classes.
Additionally, your insurer may recognize a program and reward your teen with a discount upon completion.
5 Best Online Driving Courses
If your state allows online classes in place of in-person driving classes, you should primarily consider classes that are approved by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In addition, when you spend money on a course, you should make sure you don’t have to buy another class to complete your state’s requirements.
The following are in alphabetical order because what’s best for you may not be what’s best for someone else.
#1 Aceable
Aceable’s program is fun and interesting. You can follow the course schedule on your phone, tablet, or computer. Teens are used to using apps for learning because they grew up using them. So, having a driver education course available as an app on their phone is familiar and comfortable. The lessons are a good mix of video, text, and games, so it’s hard to get bored.
#2 DMVEdu.com
This program is basic. It doesn’t have much interactive content or videos, but if you learn well by reading, this is an excellent option because it’s less expensive than some of the other options.
#3 DriversEd.com
DriversEd.com has been around for a while and they’ve set the standard for other online driving courses to live up to. If you’re not sure you want to buy it, they offer the option of trying the course out and deciding if you want to purchase the rest to complete it.
#4 First Time Driver
First Time Driver is one of the most inexpensive options. They’re reputable and you know you’ll learn what you need to be a safe driver. The course material is no-nonsense and sticks to the basics
#5 iDriveSafely.com
Like DriversEd, iDriveSafely has been offering courses online to teens for decades. The classes are interactive and the quizzes along the way help you maintain focus and remember the important concepts.
Insurance Savings for Teens
One of the best ways to find the lowest rates for new driver car insurance is to compare quotes between companies and for different vehicles. Some insurance providers are better for teens than others, and the only way to know which is best for your situation is to collect quotes.
In addition, your teen’s vehicle will affect their rates. The average insurance cost for a Ford F150 will be different than those for a Toyota Camry.
Discounts for Teens
Another way to find savings is to look for discounts. Usually, if a teen takes a driver education course, they’ll earn a discount on insurance premiums. So make sure you let your insurer know when your teen completes driver education.
Another discount that many teens can earn is a good student discount. Most companies will give a discount to full-time students who earn a 3.0 grade-point average or higher. You may even be able to find discounts for motorcycle safety courses if your teen drives a bike.
Appropriate Coverage for Teens
Because the cost of insurance is so high for teen drivers, you may want to consider purchasing less insurance coverage. For example, if your teen drives a vehicle that’s over 10 years old and doesn’t have a loan, you could consider dropping full coverage. That change will bring your teen’s premiums down significantly.
You may want to consider raising your deductible if you have full coverage because the higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. Just remember that when you file a claim, you’ll have to pay your deductible amount out of pocket to get your repairs done.
Be sure to have your teen involved with finding ways to save on car insurance, so they learn how to budget and avoid falling behind on bills.
Driver education can help your teen become a better and safer driver. If an online course meets your state’s requirements, you’ll get the most benefit from the class. Even if the course doesn’t satisfy your state’s requirements, your teen may still earn an insurance discount.
Melanie Musson writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com. She strives to help others understand their insurance needs so they can protect their financial stability both now and in the future.
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