How to Take a Free Driver’s Ed Course Online
Before you get your driver’s license, you have to know how to drive a car and you have to know the driving laws that help keep us all safe. This is why you need a driver’s ed class. Most states require teens to take a class before they’re allowed to get their license, but it’s a good idea to take a class even if it’s not required.
While there are locally offered classes that meet weekly and include drive time, there are free online driver’s ed courses that can get you a head start on learning everything you need to know.
It’s important to note that free online driver’s ed courses are not certified for official training in any state. You’ll still have to take an approved, paid, in-person or online class according to your state’s requirements before you can get your license.
Best Free Online Driver’s Ed Courses
- DriversPrep.com
- Driving-Tests.org
- FreeDMVPracticeTests.com
DriversPrep.com
Established in 2007, Driver’s Prep is a great way to make sure you have all the knowledge needed to pass your written test. Information is broken down by state, so test questions cover your state’s laws and your state’s DMV test. Practice test questions are written by professional instructors to help you learn what you need to know to pass your test the first time.
Pros and Cons
- Includes study tips to help you pass
- Regularly updated to keep up with changes in laws
- No smartphone app
Driving-Tests.org
This online driver’s ed course provides all the information you need to pass your test. It includes a downloadable version of the most recent driver’s manual and practice tests designed for your state. There’s also an exam simulator that creates a new set of questions each time you open the exam. Options are included for first-time testers, renewals who failed their test, and even senior citizen testing.
Pros and Cons
- Keeps track of missed questions for further study
- Offers smartphone apps for study on the go
- Advanced content is only available for a fee
FreeDMVParcticeTests.com
This comprehensive site offers practice tests for more than just getting a driver’s license. It includes tests for drivers who are taking a test in a new state for the first time, renewal tests, motorcycle permit tests, commercial driver’s license tests, and watercraft tests.
Pros and Cons
- Practice tests for a wide range of licenses
- Includes help studying for teen driver permits
- Site is more difficult to navigate than some
How to Prepare for a Free Online Driver’s Ed Course
There are lots of options when it comes to free online driver’s ed courses. Don’t just go with the first one you find. Poke around a bit to see which one works the best for you. Take a practice test to see if the format is helpful and if it isn’t, then try another course. And remember, these are free, so there’s no reason you can’t use multiple sites to do your studying.
You’ll get the most out of your free online driver’s ed course if you’re consistent in your studying. Don’t wait until the day before your test is scheduled and try to cram in all the information at once. Instead, regularly take the practice tests, study the questions you get wrong, and review the driver’s manual for your state.
What are the Benefits of a Free Online Driver’s Ed Course?
There’s only so much you can learn taking a class with an instructor. Free online driver’s ed courses supplement that class time and may even provide you with information not covered during your class. The more you know, the more prepared you’ll be to drive once you have your license.
Spending time studying through an online course also increases the chance that you’ll pass your test on the first try. Depending on where you live, there may be a waiting period before you can take the test again. That means scheduling the appointment and finding a way to get to the DMV again. A little extra studying may eliminate the hassle of having to retake your test.
Read more on the 5 Best Online Driver's Education Courses here.
Golden Wrench Winners for Best Online Drivers Ed and Traffic Schools
Aceable is not only an excellent program in terms of content, it is incredibly user-friendly and engaging. Classes are available on any device, have accessible audio and video and manage to make the subject matter interesting and fun. The site itself is easy to use and intuitive.
Improv Traffic School is a great program geared towards keeping the student engaged in the materials. Classes are a mixture of text, audio and video and hold the attention of the user using comedy whenever possible. The site is user-friendly and engaging.
This solid program is less flashy than others in the industry, but is a good choice in terms of content. The site is easy to use and self explanatory. The program tracks your progress and helps you along with prompt questions throughout.
This program is filled with all the information you need to pass the tests. The site is a little slow and simple compared to others in the industry. This content is timed, and users are expected to get through the material at a set pace. An audio option is available for a price.
This program is the basic offering in terms of frills. IDriveSafely has all the information you need, and no extras or distractions. The user-experience is very basic, but the content is complete.
FAQ
- Where can I take an online driver’s ed course?
Many states now allow credit for paid online driver’s ed courses rather than in-person classes only. Read more about the best online driver’s ed courses here.
- Is it better to take driver’s ed online or in the classroom?
This is mostly a matter of personal preference. The benefit to taking an online class is the ability to study when and where it works for you rather than at a set time.
- Is online driver’s ed legit?
Yep. While free online driver’s ed courses are a study tool only and not accepted as official by any state, there are approved paid online classes that are accepted by various states as a legitimate option.
- What is online driver’s ed like?
Think of online driver’s ed as self-directed study. It allows you the flexibility to study when you like, but requires the discipline to consistently log on and get the work done.
- Is defensive driving the same as driver’s ed?
No. While driver’s ed teaches the basics of what you need to know to get a license, defensive driving teaches experienced driver’s advanced skills for staying safe and avoiding accidents.
