As with many of societies needs, convenience of the internet has found yet another product to disburse: the online defensive driving school. Many states, such as Missouri and Georgia are using this online defensive driving tool to prepare teens for their drivers' license. This new concept is actually catching on in many states, but is currently not accepted in: Alaska, California, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Virginia as legal pre-license training. There isn't a limit for taking the course but should be approved by a parent or guardian prior to enrollment. Several schools across the country are now equipped to use these online driving courses side-by-side with their classroom and road training.

Many insurance companies are suggesting that not only teen drivers, but all drivers should participate in this online defensive driving university. Some even offer incentive discounts for taking and passing just such classes. Most insurance companies feel that a lesson learned, whether online or in a classroom, are dollars and lives saved on the road. Even the Courts are encouraging the use of these online driving schools by dismissing or reducing certain citations after completing and passing one of the states approved online defensive driving courses.

Each online school is in a slightly different format and the prices may vary, but the goals of them all are the same: to improve driving skills. Some states courses are taught by police officers, both active and retired, in hopes of teaching safe and proper driving to everyone that take the courses. The majority of these online curriculums are very user friendly and even the most novice computer user can tackle the courses with ease. They often offer help either online or via email and frequently asked questions to anyone that may need a little help navigating their site. Some sites are flashier then others, offering state-of-the-art website technologies to keep the user interested, while others promote the speed and ease of the coursed. Many of these sites offer a variety of courses from defensive driving to seat-belt safety to traffic school all in a convenient online format accessible from anywhere at anytime. The cost varies from $9.00 to $45.00 depending on your state and how in-depth the course. The mission of these courses is to save you time, give you the online convenience but most of all improve driving techniques.

But how effective are these online defensive driving schools? Studies show that any courses in driver education are not just beneficial to the driver, but can save lives in the future. With the online schools one must be careful to research the school or course carefully before signing up and paying for the class. Unfortunately, there are some that promise the world and deliver nothing and it is a buyer-beware market. However, those cases are becoming fewer and fewer as reputable websites with state sanctioned courses and professional instructors are popping up at affordable prices, thereby weeding out the bad ones. If you are interested in pursuing such online driving schools, contact your insurance agency or your local law enforcement agency for the state approved course lists.