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For new drivers, quality online driver’s ed courses are the ticket to hitting the road with caution and confidence.
In many states, students are now taking the classroom portion of driver’s education online. To help teens and parents choose the right program, we’ve rated the best online driver’s ed courses for 2023.
Key Takeaways From This Article
- The average cost for an online driver’s ed course is around $50.00.
- State-approved online driver’s ed courses are a convenient way for teens and first-time drivers to satisfy learner’s permit requirements.
- Our team reviewed more than 25 providers to find the 10 best online driver’s ed courses.
Featured Driver’s Education Providers
We reviewed the industry’s top driver’s education programs, and here are our featured picks.
Best Online Driver’s Ed Courses At a Glance
- Aceable
- DriversEd.com
- IMPROV
- Driver’s Ed Direct
- iDriveSafely
- Safe2Drive
- OnlineDriversEd
- AAA
- Coastline Academy
- National Highway Safety Administration
How We Ranked Online Driver’s Ed Courses
With so many online driver’s ed courses available, we work hard to identify the highest quality providers. Our goal is to provide reviews that are accurate, trustworthy, and helpful to our readers.
Minimum Requirements
Using data from consumer reviews, we first identified a set of minimum requirements for each driver’s ed course provider. To be included in our ranking each provider must have:
- Self-paced, online courses
- Courses available in at least two states
- An active Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile
- Active reviews on Google, Yelp, and/or Trustpilot
- A majority of DMV-approved courses in the states in which they operate
Key Metrics
After selecting providers that meet our minimum requirements, we conducted extensive research and identified the following key metrics to rank the best online driver’s ed courses for 2023.
- Accessibility (20%): Our methodology rewards programs that are low-cost, self-paced, and approved in the majority of states where they operate. These metrics identify programs that are accessible for more people.
- Quality (30%): We take a close look at each provider’s availability and caliber of customer support as well as the number of years they’ve been in business. We reward providers who offer money back guarantees and optional behind-the-wheel courses.
- Reputation (50%): We evaluate hundreds of online reviews—on BBB, Google, Trustpilot, and Yelp—to determine a program’s standing with its current and former customers.
What Are the 10 Best Online Driver’s Ed Courses for 2023?
#1 Aceable – Best for Industry Reputation
What sets Aceable apart:
- 100% money back guarantee
- Online courses compatible with any device
- One-month free Allstate Roadside Service for all students
Each Aceable course is backed by robust customer service. You can get in touch with a real person by phone or text six days per week during business hours. On evenings or weekends, send an email or get information from their 24/7 chatbot. They also have an online Help Center organized by user objective, such as “I need to get my driver’s license.” We like that the Aceable site is clean and easy to navigate, with all state-approved courses visible on one page.
BBB gives Aceable an A+ rating. The Texas-based driver’s ed provider rates well with customers, too, with over 34,500 5-Star reviews on Trustpilot. Many reviews cite the convenience of the Aceable app and the interactive lessons taught by Ace the Robot.
Aceable’s driver’s ed courses are currently approved in 9 states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Behind-the-wheel training is available in California, Georgia, and Texas.
- Founded: 2013
- Headquarters: Austin, TX
- Average cost per course: $46.77
“Thank you, Aceable. I won’t have to ride the bus anymore!” – 2023 5-Star Trustpilot Review from Jesse D.
Read our full review of Aceable.
#2 DriversEd.Com – Best for Customer Service
What sets DriversEd.com apart:
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- 25 years of experience in driver’s education
- One-month free Allstate Roadside Service for all students
DriversEd.com offers phone, text, and email support during the business week. Their online Help Center has an FAQ section with links to articles and guides. Offerings are easily searchable by state and type of course. Students can login to courses directly from the website.
BBB gives DriversEd.com an A+ rating. The Texas-based driver’s ed course provider also rates well with customers, with over 7,000 5-Star reviews on Trustpilot. Reviewers praise the easy-to-navigate online format and the easy-to-follow lessons.
Driver’s ed courses from DriversEd.com are currently approved in 13 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Behind-the-wheel training is available in California, Georgia, Ohio, and Texas.
- Founded: 1997
- Headquarters: Houston, TX
- Average cost per course: $58.15
“I’ve had two kids complete the Driver’sEd course. My third will start this month. I definitely recommend it!” – 2022 5-Star Trustpilot Review from Michelle L.
Read our full review of DriversEd.com.
#3 IMPROV – Best for Affordability
What sets IMPROV apart:
- 24/7 customer service
- Online courses compatible with any device
- Only provider with Kentucky-approved online driver’s ed course
IMPROV Online Driving School provides 24/7 customer service via phone, text, or live chat. Their website’s FAQ section is also helpful, with a separate section dedicated to state-specific FAQs. We like that their website’s design is clean and user-friendly. You can search for courses by state and easily register for the course that’s right for you.
BBB gives IMPROV an A+ rating. As their name indicates, this California-based driver’s ed course uses comedy to make their courses more lively. Many reviewers on Yelp and Google share that the added humor helps make the course more fun. Several reviewers also praise the company for its responsive customer service.
IMPROV’s online driver’s ed courses are currently approved in 12 states: California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. IMPROV does not offer behind-the-wheel training.
- Founded: 2009
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA
- Average cost per course: $43.68
“The IMPROV Driving School experience was pleasant, straightforward, appropriately amusing, and got the job done.” – 2022 5-Star Google Review from Bonnie H.
Read our full review of IMPROV.
#4 Drivers Ed Direct – Best for Customer Reviews
What sets Driver’s Ed Direct apart:
- Online video library to support teen drivers
- Practice tests available in their online study hall
- Behind-the-wheel training in electric-hybrid vehicles
Driver’s Ed Direct provides customer service during the business week by phone or email. From their home page, search for courses available in your area by entering your state and zip code. We love that the Driver’s Ed Direct website includes a free video library for teen drivers. Video topics include parallel parking, blind spot checks, and speed control.
BBB gives Driver’s Ed Direct an A+ rating. They currently have more than 200 5-Star reviews on Yelp and a 4.7 rating on Google. Reviewers praise the quality of the behind-the-wheel instructors as well as their prompt and friendly customer service.
In partnership with other providers, Driver’s Ed Direct offers state-approved online driver’s ed courses in 13 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. Behind-the-wheel training is offered in California.
- Founded: 2006
- Headquarters: Chatsworth, CA
- Average cost per course: $67.65
“Wow, were we ever impressed with Driver’s Ed Direct … My son is way more confident driving now.” – 2022 5-Star Yelp Review from Amanda H.
Read our full review of Drivers Ed Direct.
#5 iDriveSafely – Best for State Availability
What sets iDriveSafely apart:
- Online courses compatible with any device
- Approved in more states than any other provider
- 100% satisfaction guarantee (money back within 30 days of purchase)
iDriveSafely provides customer service by phone during the business week. They also have a thorough FAQ section on their website and an active Facebook page with up-to-date responses to customer comments. Enter your state, preferred course, and age on the website’s main page to be matched with a course that’s right for you. An interactive map on the driver’s ed page shows which courses are provided in each state.
BBB gives iDriveSafely an A+ rating. They currently have more than 16,000 5-Star reviews on Trustpilot. Reviewers appreciate the company’s engaging lessons and thorough curriculum. Several reviewers note that the online course saves your place when you stop so that it’s easy to pick up where you left off.
In partnership with other providers, iDriveSafely offers state-approved online driver’s ed courses in 15 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Behind-the-wheel training is offered in California and Texas through Coastline Academy.
- Founded: 1997
- Headquarters: San Marcos, CA
- Average cost per course: $51.28
“I love how easy this is! Very thorough. By far the best app I’ve found for driver’s ed.” – 2023 5-Star Trustpilot Review from Addison
Read our full review of iDriveSafely.
Our Other Ranked Driver’s Ed Providers
#6 Safe2Drive
#8 AAA
#10 National Highway Safety Administration
Learning to drive in Texas? Find the Best Online Driver’s Ed Courses in your state.
How Does Online Driver’s Ed Work?
These days, you can do almost anything online – even learn to drive. Of course, new drivers will have to get behind-the-wheel at some point. Here’s how online driver’s ed works:
- Register for an online driver’s ed course. Be sure the course you choose is compatible with your state’s licensure requirements.
- Complete the online driver’s ed course. Often these courses are self-paced and include interactive lessons, quizzes, and videos.
- Take your state’s written driver’s license exam to receive your learner’s permit.
- Practice driving with a trusted adult and log your hours. As reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, state requirements range from 20 to 60 hours.
- To receive your full provisional license, you may need to take a road test. The Pew Trusts shares that many states waived road tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your state’s DMV website will have information about behind-the-wheel tests.
- Note that the graduated licensing process is different from state to state. Before getting on the road, know your state’s rules and requirements.
How to Choose a Course
There are many online options for driver’s education, but not all online driver’s ed courses are created equal. After you learn which courses are approved by your state, here’s what to look for.
Overall Cost
While online driver’s ed is a valuable service, there’s no need to overpay. Our research indicates that the average cost for an online driver’s ed course is about $50.
Reputation
The best online driver’s ed courses will have reviews available on third-party review websites like Yelp, Trustpilot, or Google. Look for companies with a majority of 5-Star reviews.
Learning Format
Find a learning format that works for you or your teen. If you need to learn on the go, select a provider with a mobile app. If you’re a visual learner, select a program with lessons that use video and fun graphics.
Customer Service
Reach out to the course provider by phone, text, or email. Ideally, you’ll hear back from a real person within 24 hours.
Other Things to Consider
Depending on your situation, there may be additional factors to consider when selecting an online driver’s ed course:
- Concerned parents may want to select a driver’s ed course with mandatory behind-the-wheel instruction or enroll their child in supplementary driving courses.
- Adult driver’s ed students may want to add defensive driving to their driver’s education, especially if they’re new to driving in the U.S.
- If you or a loved one is a mature driver, consider defensive driving courses designed especially for seniors.
- Seeking some relief on your car insurance bill? Try an online defensive driving course.
Do You Have to Take Behind-The-Wheel Training?
Requirements for behind-the-wheel driver’s ed training vary from state to state. Some locations mandate driving time with a professional instructor in order to obtain a provisional license. With a few exceptions, all states require supervised driving hours with a licensed adult, such as a parent or other family member.
Some online driver training providers also offer behind-the-wheel instruction. In some states, new drivers can also combine an online driver’s ed course with local behind-the-wheel instruction to meet the requirements for driver’s ed.
Benefits of an Online Driver’s Ed Course
Driver’s education courses keep new drivers safe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that teens who take driver’s education courses are less likely to get a ticket or be involved in a crash.
In comparison to in-person driver’s education, online driver’s education courses have the following benefits:
- Online driver’s ed is more accessible for new drivers in rural areas where public driver’s ed may not be offered.
- Online learning eliminates the need for transportation to and from the classroom, cutting down on cost and the likelihood of absences.
- Online driver’s ed courses are delivered in digital formats – like mobile apps – that teens are comfortable with.
- Online driver’s education is often offered in self-paced formats for busy teens.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Online Driver’s Ed Courses
Can I do driver’s ed online?
Absolutely! We rated the best online driver’s ed courses to help you select the right program. Just make sure the one you choose is licensed in your state.
What’s the easiest online driver’s ed course?
Adding a driver’s ed course on top of school and extracurriculars can be challenging. Our online driver’s ed ranking methodology considers things like asynchronous classes and mobile apps that make learning easy and fun.
How much does driver’s ed cost?
It depends. Public school driver’s education is free, but it’s not offered in all districts. The top online driver’s education courses range in price from $12.00–$130.00. The average cost for an online driver’s ed course is about $50.00.
Can you get your permit without taking driver’s ed?
Most – but not all – states require teens to take driver’s education before taking the learner’s permit exam. No matter where you live, driver’s ed is a good idea as it promotes safe driving skills.
Image by burdun via Adobe Stock.
