Taking a driver’s education class online is a relatively new concept. Twenty, ten, and even five years ago, it was not nearly as common as it is today. This means, naturally, that there are quite a few misconceptions about what it’s like to take an online driving course since it’s not entirely understood and is only starting to become popular. Here are some of the most common myths about it.
1. Anyone Can Do It
Not quite. Sure, anyone can sign up for it, but not every state has approved an online driver’s ed option. To date, only 16 states allow new drivers to take the required coursework online.
Before signing up for a course, make sure it’s approved in your state. Several online schools offer driver’s education in states where their certificates aren’t accepted. Although it may be a good learning experience, you’ll have to spend on another course that serves your purpose.
Check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to see if an online course is acceptable. If it is, don’t forget to check out reviews from sites like Shopper Approved, Trustpilot, or Sitejabber before deciding.
2. You Can Skip Behind-The-Wheel Instruction
Not only is this most definitely false in all states, but it’s also a terrible idea. While many people today drive cars, just because it’s a common thing it doesn’t change the fact that cars are dangerous. We’re not trying to scare you, but the truth is that even the smallest mistakes behind the wheel can result in serious injuries or death. While practice certainly won’t make you a perfect driver, it will get you to the point where you can drive as safely as possible—for the sake of yourself and others.
With this in mind, try to schedule regular driving with an adult-like one of your parents, guardians, a grandparent, or someone else you trust. To truly get comfortable, make sure you practice at different times of the day. It’s just as important to drive in sunny afternoon weather in the suburbs as it is to experience harsh rain on the interstate during rush hour. The more scenarios you become familiar with as a student driver, the smarter calls you’ll be able to make when driving for the rest of your life.
3. You Have To Have Your Own Computer
While having your own laptop or desktop computer certainly makes things easier and allows you to work on your classes, quizzes, and tests whenever, it’s still possible to get all the work done elsewhere, like community centers and libraries.
These days, though, online driving schools acknowledge that technology is ever-present among drivers, so they’ve decided to maximize this. If you’re taking a driver’s ed program, you have the option to go through the coursework using a variety of devices.
Most online driving schools ensured their content is accessible using tablets or mobile phones. It means that you can take your driver’s education course anywhere, even when you’re on the go.
4. You Won’t Get Any Help From A Teacher
Let’s face it—a lot of driver’s ed teachers don’t even want to be teaching the class. In the case of some public schools, a gym teacher with a few open hours sometimes gets assigned to the class. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and there are plenty of great driver’s ed instructors out there. But it can sometimes mean you’re stuck in a classroom with a disgruntled, unenthusiastic teacher that isn’t that much of a help in the first place.
A good online course, on the other hand, can offer you 24/7/365 support. That’s right! Reach out any time of day and get assistance with questions or technical support. While you won’t be speaking with someone in the same room as you, it’s certainly better than what you would get in a traditional classroom. Instead of studying and saving your questions for the next time you’re in class, get help right away whenever you run into problems.
5. You’re More Likely to Zone Out
Of all the misconceptions about online driver’s education, this is probably the most common. Understandably, because the courses were in classrooms for the longest time, it’s hard for some people to imagine how engagement is possible if things aren’t done face-to-face.
Although schools are offering text-heavy courses, more have a delivery format that allows for more participation. Their material is combined with eye-catching graphics and video clips to make them more engaging.
Online driving schools often divide the course into shorter chapters. Each chapter covers one topic, allowing drivers to focus on a single subject. In turn, it leads to higher retention of information.
There are even some schools that have incorporated games with their content. The various media helps keep the driver’s interest piqued, resulting in higher engagement.
When it comes down to it, a good online class will cover the same information that an in-person class will—it’s required to by law. But in order to prevent getting scammed, you should make sure that the course is approved in your state and that they offer a money-back guarantee. This way you know you’ll be able to use the course towards your license and if you get a few lessons into it and don’t like the lesson structure, you can get a refund.