If you got permission from your court handler to dismiss a traffic citation with an online traffic school, then hooray!
You can reap the benefits of convenience, affordability, flexibility, and much more.
But what are the good and reliable online traffic schools in Illinois?
We’ll answer that for you here.
In this article, we’ll be talking about the 5 best online traffic schools in Illinois. This way, you know that you’ll only go with the best of the best, whichever you pick.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
What are the Best Online Traffic Schools in Illinois?
These are the 5 best online traffic schools in the state:
Let’s review each one!
GoToTrafficSchool
GoToTrafficSchool is known for its affordable rates.
Unfortunately, in Illinois, their course prices aren’t the cheapest at $48. That said, they do offer a Pay Later option, as well as a lowest price guarantee.
The Pay Later option allows you to study the entire course for FREE. Yes, you read that write.
So when do you pay?
You pay if you want to take the final course exam to get your certificate of completion.
As for the lowest price guarantee, if you find an online traffic school in Illinois that’s cheaper than theirs, they will remove $1 from their own price.
Another plus to GoToTrafficSchool is that they are approved in almost every state. There is a better chance your court handler will approve you if they know you’re taking the course from this renowned online traffic school.
However, GoToTrafficSchool might be a bit boring for you. Sure, there are videos and images here and there, but it’s mostly text-based. If you’re looking for more interactive content, you may want to consider other options.
Still, it teaches you everything you need to know, helps you dismiss a ticket (if allowed), and allows you to study with convenience.
If you want a sneak peek of GoToTrafficSchool’s defensive driving course, check our course walkthrough below:
MyImprov
They say time flies when you’re having fun…
Maybe taking your defensive driving course from MyImprov can make it seem shorter than it is.
We get it. No one enjoys going through traffic school. But since you can’t skip it, you might as well make it an enjoyable experience.
If you’re the type who begins to zone out when reading something too serious, MyImprov’s defensive driving course may work for you. Their content is noticeably lighter due to the way modules are written. The cartoon strips and funny animation maintain this effect.
If you’re wondering why MyImprov delivers its modules this way, it’s because comedians from the IMPROV Comedy Club established this thirty-year-old traffic school. At its core, they believe in the effectiveness of edutainment (entertainment + education).
And users agree. A whopping 79% of reviews on ShopperApprove have a 5-star rating.
Note: if you want to take MyImprov’s course, you need to ask special permission from your court handler since it isn’t approved in the state.
If you want to get a first-hand look at what their coursework is like, our video walkthrough will show you:
TrafficSchoolOnline
Taking your defensive driving course online already gives several benefits. You can choose when to start and when to stop — you can study when you’re most productive, even if it means starting at 10 p.m.!
You can choose where you access the coursework. You can take it from your bedroom or that corner table at your favorite coffee shop. Or, you can even take it in transit.
Traffic School Online is all about convenience. This is why Steve Soldis established it in the first place. He realized how difficult it was to find a traffic school after receiving a citation in 1996. From there, he decided he didn’t want other drivers to have a similar experience.
Those who have gone through the course are satisfied. Traffic School Online currently has a 4.7-rating in Trustpilot from almost 5,000 reviews.
If you want to get a better feel of whether their material is worth it or not, you can always try out their demo. It’ll walk you through an overview of the material and give you a taste of how it’s delivered.
With a modern look, easy-to-follow instructions, and engaging activities, it is no surprise that Traffic School Online has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Note: Again, this online traffic school is not yet approved. Make sure to ask special permission if you want to attend Traffic School Online.
DmvEdu
In most schools, you can take the first couple of chapters without any payment. GoToTrafficSchool allows you to go through the entire course and only pay before you take the final test. All of those, however, require you to register.
DmvEdu gives you a sneak peek without having to put in any personal details. Their system grants you access to an actual defensive driving course for 5 minutes. You can go through modules and even take the quizzes.
You might notice that DmvEdu’s content isn’t as modern and interactive as other online traffic schools in Illinois. However, you’ll get a knowledge boost from their material if you’re the type who appreciates a lot of statistics and information.
It may not have the best user interface, but if you don’t plan to read every single paragraph, it’ll allow you to go through the course quickly.
Note: as with all other online schools, make sure to ask for special permission.
National Safety Council
The National Safety Council partnered with Cook County as an authorized provider of traffic safety school courses. They offer traffic school courses online and in person.
Note: Due to the ongoing global pandemic, they currently deliver all classes online.
What’s great is that they offer their courses in three languages: English, Spanish, and Polish. So if you speak any of these languages, you’re in good hands.
Though their online course takes 4 hours to complete, you can stop at any point, and their system automatically notes your progress. Once you log back in, it automatically redirects you to where you stopped.
NSC’s course also shows a progress bar. It serves as an effective visual reminder to let you know how much you’ve been able to complete. You can periodically refer to it if you’re counting down the modules to when you officially complete the course.
In the end, you earn your certificate by passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. You’ll have to achieve this within three tries, though. Otherwise, the course locks you out.
Note: Even if it’s the National Safety Council, you still need to ask permission from your court handler if they will accept the course or not.
Illinois Online Traffic School FAQs
Can I take online traffic school in Illinois?
Yes, you can take an online defensive driving course in Illinois.
Although there are several online traffic schools offering courses, not everyone is state-approved. It means you’ll have to ask for your court’s permission to see if they’ll accept a certificate from an online traffic school.
Sometimes, though, ticket dismissal isn’t the only reason why drivers go through defensive driving classes. You may also get an auto insurance discount because of it.
How long does online traffic school take in Illinois?
Online defensive driving courses can run for 4 or 8 hours, depending on which is required.
Most drivers only need to take the shorter course. The longer one is specifically for those who have already completed the four-hour program, have multiple offenses, or have serious traffic violations.
Traffic schools offer self-paced programs, so you don’t have to complete everything in one sitting. You can choose to spread your progress over shorter segments.
What are the benefits of taking online traffic school?
In a nutshell, taking defensive driving online is more convenient.
You don’t have to rearrange your schedule or miss previously-scheduled activities because you have traffic school to complete. You can take it at night when you’re in the comfort of your home.
There’s also no pressure to learn everything in one sitting. Unlike in-person classes, where instructors give all the information in one sitting, you can choose to learn the modules in bite-sized pieces over several segments. When it comes to pacing, you pretty much dictate how fast or slow you go (just make sure you reach the court’s deadline).
In Conclusion
Traffic school may not be the best thing you’ve ever had to do, but your experience doesn’t have to be horrible. Choosing an online traffic school that works for you plays a big part in this.
Various online traffic schools have different things to offer, so you’ll need to consider your priorities when selecting one.
Are you going for speed?
Do you want an engaging experience?
Are you watching your budget?
Knowing the answers to these questions can help you figure out which online traffic school in Illinois you should choose. So go and reflect, and let’s see where your answers take you.
Good luck!