In-Person vs Online Driver’s Education (Which is Best?)

Driver’s education seems like something that can only be done in person, right? Well, not so fast.

There was a time when people felt the same way about shopping for clothes. How are you going to buy stuff without trying it out first? Companies like Amazon have made it easy to try out new shoes or an outfit, and return what doesn’t fit.

Many companies have recently adapted to the virtual world, but some of you might still wonder if virtual education is still the best option for driving. Here’s how online driver’s education stands up to the traditional approach.

How Classroom Education Works

Classroom education is a classic way of learning. You are supposed to do a certain number of hours depending on the state you live and want to drive in. Spending a certain amount of time behind the wheel is also a part of most courses. The minimum time requirement for this also depends on your state.

You can do this through a private driving school that has been approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In some school districts, it is also part of training in the high school curriculum. Unfortunately, most school districts today don’t offer this as an option.

Pros of Classroom Classes

There are several advantages to learning to drive the old fashioned way.

The Instructors Are Certified

Since this way of learning has been around for a longer period of time, the in-person courses have many certified instructors who know what they are talking about. They share the course material and go over it with you.

Instructors may give you all the information you need for a test, or even provide training in the car. Whenever you have a doubt about the materials or generally about driving, they are right there to give you answers; you have someone to fall back on.

It Is Personable

There is no denying the fact that talking to an instructor and having others learn along with you gives you a lot of people to talk to. That’s always helpful when you are doing something new.

In the classroom, you get to share your resources, doubts, insecurities and be excited about the same things. Since there are a lot of other newbies around, you get to be around when someone thinks of a question that probably did not occur to you. And all of you get an answer from the experienced instructor in the room. It’s a win-win for all.

Top-Notch in Terms of Quality

Many instructors at driving schools have been certified, and the courses that are offered have been approved by the state. So, it is highly unlikely that you won’t get your money’s worth.

Some courses have cars for the students, and others require you to use your own car. If you need use your own car, try to choose a vehicle that is easy for you to drive and ideal for learning.

Time Behind the Wheel

This cannot be stressed enough: there is no virtual course or simulation that is a proper substitute for the real thing. An in-person driving school gives you the option to jump behind the wheel with an instructor.

The instructor can watch your steering inputs and your vision, quickly correcting any problems they find before they become habits. This is not something you can replicate in a virtual classroom.

Cons of Classroom Classes

Classroom instruction can be one on one and a comfortable and familiar way of learning. But just because it’s been around for a long time doesn’t mean in-person drivers education has no flaws. It’s important you know these so that you can make your choices depending on your priorities.

Limited Options

The problem with in-person classes is that your parents, guardians, or friends will have to take time out of their schedule to get you to school. Your options may be limited by what is available in your area.

You might be doing this over the summer or spring break but your folks still have work and other stuff to take care of. They might love to take you to your classes, but every now and then something is going to come up that causes a problem. In some states, if you miss a class you might have to redo the entire course. If you were doing the course online, this is not as much of a concern.

The Environment Can Be Distracting

It’s great to have peers and possibly make new friends and bond over similar things. But it is worth considering that it might be a distraction too. You might be committed to learning but anyone who has been in a classroom knows that there will always be students who disrupt the class.

Not everyone is going to share your sense of focus and eagerness. In this case, you might also experience people being reckless behind the wheel because they think it’s fun. None of that is helpful to students who just want to learn and move on. If you’re not doing this at your local school, you don’t want to be paying for the course and not get its worth.

How Does Online Education Work?

Online driving schools might seem like a novel concept, but they’ve been around for a while and are growing in popularity.

Online driving schools give you the course material through an app or a website. You read through the material and complete the activities on your own. You can do this from the comfort of your own home, at your own pace using whichever device is available to you. All you need is the internet and a device to access it. It’s the perfect way to learn on your own terms.

Pros of Online Classes

Here are some benefits of taking a driving course online.

Your Time, Your Pace

There is a time frame to complete the course but within that, there is a lot of room. Ever had a day where your body is in the classroom, but not your mind? You can avoid that to an extent with online learning. You can start and stop a class whenever it’s convenient for you.

At the end of each session, there is often a quiz that tells you how much you have retained. You may have the option of re-doing quizzes until you get them right. You can do it from the bed over the weekend if that’s what works for you.

Works Well for Parents and Guardians

Online learning is great for those responsible for the pupils too. No more worrying about syncing schedules or having to take the car out and face the weekend traffic when all they would like to do is sit and home. You also don’t have to worry about being late or missing a class (and having to repeat the course) anymore.

Here’s another fun fact: somehow, it is expected that parents or guardians know everything about teaching someone how to drive just because they can drive. However, not every parent teaches the same way.

Some parents have doubts about things like, “when is it appropriate to let them take the vehicle on a highway?” A lot of online courses now have guides for parents so that they don’t end up handing over the keys to the learner prematurely.

Distraction-Free Learning

Since you are alone while doing the course, you don’t have to worry about someone else disrupting the class. If you are worried about the folks or pets in your house doing the same, go into a quiet room that no one is likely to need to use and hang a sign on the door.

No matter what the problem, there are a lot of ways of handling it at home. You can’t control people you don’t know and it can be very frustrating when you are trying to concentrate. You can also take breaks whenever you want, which is something you can’t really do in an in-person class.

Discipline and Self Motivation

This is a great test of your focus, discipline, and self motivation. Teenagers who are good at doing course work on their own will really shine in the real world, when there may not be anyone telling them what to do. This is also a good way to improve online learning skills that will come in handy in the future.

Less Expensive

By taking an online course, you avoid troubles like gas, parking, or public transportation charges. You must also take into account that you save the time you would have been spending on commuting.

Even the courses themselves are relatively affordable. You may find online courses ranging from $50 to $100. If you’re not sure, you may have the option of paying a portion of the fee to test out the course before trying it out.

Cons of Online Classes

And as expected, nothing is perfect. As wonderful as it sounds, online learning has some cons too. Obviously.

Expertise

Asking your parents or guardians for help is not the same thing as asking an experienced instructor who does this for a living. Your folks might know how to drive, but are they the best? That’s not always the case. With online learning, you also miss out on the questions others your age and experience have. Those are discussions that you don’t always get to have online.

Availability

Not every state has these courses and some don’t meet all the licensing requirements of the state. You must check this before getting enrolled.

Too Much Freedom

Independence is great but if you are not a good self-starter, this is a huge problem. You will need a ton of motivation to get around to taking the classes and sometimes, you might not be able to finish it.

If you need constant motivation to finish a self-paced course, in-person classes are probably going to be a better option.

Which Option Is Better for You?

Online learning is very convenient, but in-person classes are what some people need to stay on track and finish the course. Additionally, you can only sit with a driving instructor if you both are in a real car. There is absolutely no substitute for having an instructor watch your driving style and give you real time feedback.