Is It Time to Go Back to Driver's Ed?

Most of us had driver's education in high school before we were given our driver's license. We were taught the basics of how to drive and the rules of the road. But, sometimes we get careless with our driving and then it is time to go back to driver's ed again; also known as driver's safety courses.

Defensive driving course and traffic school are also just a few of the other names that driver's safety courses are known by. Driver's safety courses are just a reminder of driving techniques and driving laws in your state. These courses can be voluntary for older driver's that are needing a decrease on their insurance premium or they can be mandatory for drivers that have not been driving safely.

What's Will I Learn In The Driver's Safety Course?

Driver's safety courses are usually only for around 8 hours and can be finished in a full Saturday class or broken up over a handful of weeks. During these courses you are going to be given a "back to driver's ed" refresher.

Many driver's safety courses have the following in their lesson plans: speeding laws, proper lane changing techniques, stopping at red lights, accident avoidance tips, using safety belts and post-accident information.

These are just a few of the subjects that you might be reviewing with the course instructor. What is ultimately taught in your driver's safety course will be determined by the state that you live in. Your instructor will give the information to you in the form of reading material, worksheets and also class lectures.

A new trend beginning around the nation is driver's safety courses being presented in a comedic fashion. It still teaches everything you would in a normal class, just in a lighter and funnier environment.

What Are The Benefits Of Taking A Driver's Safety Course?

Even if you don't believe it, the most important benefit that you will gain from attending a driver's safety course is that you will be a more responsible driver. Don't snicker, because it is a benefit. More responsible drivers don't get charged as much in insurance premiums because they don't have all the accidents and tickets on their record that you do.

If you pay attention in your driver's safety course and improve your driving, the high number of accidents and tickets will drop off your record after a period of time and your insurance prices will decrease also. You being a better driver not only benefits you, but the people that reside in your area will benefit from it also by having one less bad driver on the roads.

For the current time, if your driving record is covered in accident points and tickets, attending one of these driver's safety courses can dismiss some (not all) of the points on your driving record. This means that the insurance company won't be charging as many surcharge points, leaving you with a lower insurance premium instantly.

Certain driver's safety courses can also qualify you for an insurance premium discount if you are an older driver. This discount helps to offset the higher premium that you may find the insurance company charging you due to your age. These classes attended by older drivers are not due to any accidents or tickets and are not mandatory.

Where Do You Find These Courses?

Driver's safety course locations will depend on the place that you live in. They will alter from one state to another and even from town to town, depending on room and availability. More and more though, these courses are being made available to drivers from the convenience of their residences via the internet. If you do decide to attend an online class, check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to make sure that particular course will satisfy their requirements.

To find out where a driver's safety course is given and when, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles or your local police department. If you have been a bad enough driver though, you won't have to ask; you will be directed where to take your class. Because at this point the words voluntary and driver's safety course attendance will no longer be used together if you wish to keep your license.


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Todd Clay was an agent for the largest insurance company in the US. He now researches and blogs about driver's safety courses with the consumer in mind. Check out the latest reviews, rates by state, or grab a few auto insurance quotes in 5 minutes at: http://www.carinsuranceguidebook.com