There is just something about the thrill of getting behind the wheel and traveling wherever you want, whenever you want. Of course, you must have a driver’s license to do this legally. Obtaining a driver’s license is a huge milestone (pun intended) in a teens life. Driving seems so simple, but the sad truth about driving is that it is one of the most dangerous activities we participate in on a near-daily basis. A collision can occur in the blink of an eye and turn people’s lives upside down. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,400,000 car accidents happen every year in the united states. Of those accidents, there are more than 35,000 fatalities each and every year. Those are some scary stats!
In order to limit these risks, it’s important to learn safe driving habits early on. As a former driving instructor, I see first hand how good and bad driving habits are developed in those first crucial months of driving. Luckily, Virginia has conditions in place to ensure new drivers receive the correct driver training.
Please note: Virginia online drivers ed courses are only available for students who are actively enrolled in a homeschool program approved by their division superintendent. Students who are enrolled in a public or private school may NOT take an online drivers ed course in Virginia.
Virginia Online Drivers Ed vs. Classroom Drivers Ed
Adults and teens alike have been enrolling at traditional drivers ed schools for years. They do this to take traffic school, drivers education, and insurance discount programs. There is nothing wrong with attending a traditional classroom and that’s how some drivers ed students prefer to complete the Virginia state requirements. However, this option can also be bland and boring. Not to mention, it can wreak havoc on one’s schedule. The students have to cater to the school’s timeframe, which usually entails being in a certain location at a certain time so they can get lectured to by a driving instructor while being surrounded by strangers.
Because of reasons like these, more and more drivers ed students who are homeschooled are opting to take Virginia online drivers ed instead of a classroom course. Many people enjoy this method because it allows them to work on the assignment from the comforts of home, a buddy’s house, or just about anywhere with an internet connection. It is often cheaper, which is a big draw on its own. Plus, the student can usually access the material whenever they want and go at their own pace. Hence, it accommodates their schedule and not the other way around.
As a former driving instructor, you might think I’m against online drivers ed programs. However, I think using an online driver training program is a great idea instead of going to a classroom. Students receive all the same information that they would receive in a classroom, but the content is delivered in a different way. Instead of having a textbook with an instructor lecturing or having group activities, students learn through interactive lessons, games, videos, graphics, animations, and take tests or quizzes along the way to make sure students are retaining the information. The VAST majority of teens seem to prefer online training over a classroom.
The 3 Best Virginia Online Drivers Ed Classes
Teens who are homeschooled in Virginia have many options available for them if they want to take drivers ed online. Listed below are my top reviews and recommendations of the 3 best Virginia online drivers ed courses. If for any reason you don’t like my recommended courses, scroll down to get a full list of all online drivers ed programs approved in the state of Virginia. Again, you MUST be a homeschool student in Virginia to qualify for these courses.
1. DriversEd.com
DriversEd.com consistently ranks among the best online drivers ed courses in dozens of states. Students that enroll with DriversEd.com typically appreciate the fun, engaging curriculum. There are interactive 3D animations, enjoyable activities, and high-quality videos. One of the best features of DriversEd.com are the interactive “make your own decision” videos. Students are presented with a specific driving situation and must make the proper choice on what to do to avoid any hazards.
Students can study on their own terms and at a comfortable pace. They have access to the material 24/7 and can log into or out of the course whenever they want. This course is also mobile-friendly and works well on smartphones. Most teens are more than comfortable using smartphones for just about everything, so why not make their driver training available on a phone as well?
Homeschool teens in Virginia can even gain a 0.5 Carnegie Unit toward their high school graduation. If a problem pops up, DriversEd.com has you covered. Customer service representatives are standing by 7-days a week to resolve any issues you might have. Their customer support team is based right here in the United States and is never outsourced to a 3rd party company. It is possible for some students to also receive up to a 10% discount on their auto insurance after completing the class. Whatever your needs might be, DriversEd.com is definitely worth considering.
2. Driver Ed To Go
Driver Ed To Go aims to make Virginia online drivers ed inexpensive, easy, and fun. Plenty of folks must agree with the approach as the organization has graduated over 4-million students. Everything is 100% online, and the materials are available on any device. Plus, the company guarantees the student will pass, and why wouldn’t they? Driver Ed To Go gives them all the tools they need to be successful. There are even upgrades to make the experience that much better such as audio read along features, immediate email certificate confirmation, practice tests & exam help, and same day processing.
Driver Ed To Go is one of the longest running online drivers ed courses in Virginia. This company has been teaching homeschool drivers ed since the 1990’s. They initially started off by sending booklets and VHS tapes in the mail, but ever since online education became popular, they have changed their business model to being entirely online.
Fortunately, even though Driver Ed To Go has been around for decades, they have just recently updated their entire program. It now includes fresh and modern videos, graphics, animations, and interactive features that weren’t available before. It also works better than ever on mobile devices. Driver Ed To Go should be a top consideration for students in Virginia.
3. Drive This Way Driver Training
Drive This Way Driver Training is another excellent choice for homeschool students in Virginia. This state-approved Virginia online drivers ed program is the best choice for those who want to support a local company. They are based out of Virginia with multiple locations. It may not be the most advanced online drivers ed course in Virginia, but it is priced right and they help to support the local Virginia economy. This program was created by current and former law enforcement individuals.
Another advantage to Drive This Way Driver Training is they can offer you special package pricing. Unlike some of the other online drivers ed courses you have available to you, Drive This Way has physical locations that may be located near you. This enables them to provide behind-the-wheel driver training in addition to providing your online course. They have physical locations in Roanoke, VA and Lynchburg, VA but they also service the surrounding counties of Appomattox, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Franklin, and other surrounding Virginia areas.
Most of their driving instructors have years of experience. If you’re interested in taking a package course to include behind-the-wheel training, you can learn more about their driving instructors here. Even if you only want to take their online course Drive This Way Driver Training is a great school to consider.
Additional Considerations About Virginia Online Drivers Ed Courses
Before teenagers can apply for their first driver’s license, they must meet all state-approved drivers ed requirements. While these requirements may seem like a drag, it helps you and others out on the streets. It teaches the students defensive driving techniques, laws, and various other things which prepares students to handle items out on the road. Meanwhile, the course is not mandatory for first-time adult drivers. It is a good idea for them to think about taking it though as it can shorten the learner’s permit duration.
List Of All Virginia Online Drivers Ed Courses
While I encourage you to stick with one of the best Virginia online drivers ed courses I reviewed above, I believe people should know all of their options. Therefore, I created this list of all Virginia online drivers ed courses approved in the state. You can also get this list directly from the Virginia DMV website.
- DriversEd.com (Top Recommendation)
- Driver Ed To Go (Top Recommendation)
- Drive This Way Driver Training (Top Recommendation)
- 1 STOP DRIVING SCHOOL
- 2020 DRIVING SCHOOL
- A AFFORDABLE DRIVING SCHOOL, INC.
- A BETTER CHOICE DRIVING SCHOOL
- AA DRIVING ACADEMY, INC.
- AA PLUS DRIVING SCHOOL, INC.
- AADVANCED DRIVING SCHOOL COMPANY
- AAPEX DRIVING SCHOOL, INC.
- ADVANTAGE DRIVING SCHOOL, INC.
- ALERT DRIVER TRAINING OF VINTON
- BLESSED DRIVING SCHOOL, LLC
- COLONIALS DRIVING SCHOOL
- DRIVE LINE
- DRIVE THIS WAY DRIVER TRAINING
- INSTRUCTOR DRIVING SCHOOL
- JOYNER DRIVING SCHOOL
- MOMS BEHIND THE WHEEL, INC
- PATRIOT DRIVING SCHOOL, INC.
- PICK-OSSO DRIVING SCHOOL
- QUALITY DRIVING SCHOOL OF VIRGINIA
- SAFE DRIVING ACADEMY, INC.
- SAKER
- SHENANDOAH VALLEY DRIVING SCHOOL
- TALA DRIVING SCHOOL
- VALLEY DRIVING SCHOOL