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by: MichelleRiley
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You can do almost everything online nowadays - order pizza, rent movies, even buy books you can read instantly on your computer. And did you know that you can also take drivers education classes on the internet? You might think: Wow, that definitely beats being holed up in a classroom all weekend watching car slides! But don't enroll just yet - we'll give you the info you need to decide if online drivers ed is right for you. Take this as your first lesson!

The Pros:

If you live in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania or Texas: lucky you! Your state's laws give you the option of taking an online drivers ed course - instead of a classroom one - to fulfill the 30 hours of required drivers education classes for teens. Internet classes can be a great alternative to an actual driving school, especially since they're very interactive and let you work at your own pace and schedule. They are generally cheaper than classroom-taught driving courses, and your parents save gas, money, and time by not having to drive you back and forth from class.

For everyone in the other 41 states, you still have to fulfill your required class time in a classroom, but online drivers ed still has something to offer you: you can take a course to qualify for a car insurance discount, or to practice for your written test. Many companies will even give you a refund if you don't pass the first time!

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:

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.

Take into consideration what type of learner you are: while online drivers ed may be a more convenient and flexible alternative to traditional class, don't think you can cut corners and skip the material! You'll need a bit of discipline to make sure you stay focused on the work, even for just 20 minutes a day. If you're too easily distracted by all the other cool stuff online like games, IM, and MySpace, you'll never finish the course. If you learn better in a structured classroom environment, then this option may not be 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

Trying to get your drivers license? We can help! Read helpful advice and play a drivers ed game at http://www.driversed-game.com.

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