There are varying reasons why a person might want to enroll in a defensive driving program.
Whether it’s to get out of a traffic ticket or to save on insurance premiums, you can never go wrong by working with the best online traffic schools in Massachusetts.
Now, you might be wondering,
“But Massachusetts doesn’t allow drivers to use online traffic schools to dismiss a traffic ticket.”
The Massachusetts RMV has temporarily allowed the use of online traffic school programs to complete state requirements due to the ongoing health crisis.
And although there aren’t many schools that have been approved by the state courts, there are several good online-based ones that offer Massachusett courses that are both affordable and high-quality.
Best Online Traffic Schools in Massachusetts
There are currently only 8 state-approved defensive driving programs in Massachusetts — this is including online and in-person options.
If not state-approved, you need to get a special permission from your court handler or insurance provider before finalizing your enrollment.
That said, here are the 5 best online traffic schools in Massachusetts:
- GoToTrafficSchool
- iDriveSafely
- Improv Traffic School
- Christo Driving School
- National Safety Council
Let’s review each school one-by-one.
GoToTrafficSchool
GoToTrafficSchool has been around since 1999, providing students with lessons they need to become safer and more informed drivers.
Their course features 3D driving simulations, audio clips, animated videos, and text lessons that teach you what you need to know about Massachusetts driving laws and regulations.
They also offer the lowest price guaranteed of any online traffic school program.
Found a cheaper offer? Their price match policy requires them to match or beat any price that is lower than theirs. No need to sacrifice quality for affordability with GoToTrafficSchool!
Another great thing about GoToTrafficSchool is that they let you take the first few chapters for FREE. You’ll be able to gauge whether the course features are what you’re looking for or not.
You can access all of this through their mobile-friendly website, compatible with any device with a web browser.
For comments, questions, and concerns, you may contact their customer support services, available to assist you 24/7/365.
Even though GoToTrafficSchool is state-approved, you still have to ask your court handler if you want to use it to dismiss your ticket.
Just like GoToTrafficSchool, iDriveSafely has been around for decades and has helped over 5 million drivers all across the United States.
They have several course options, one of which is a defensive driving program that costs just below $25.
Their courses are available in two formats: text-based and video-based.
Both formats contain the same information. So what you choose to use will depend on what learning style suits you more.
But, take note: the video-based option is a little more expensive than the text-based one.
All lessons are 100% online, meaning you won’t have to worry about driving anywhere. You can access your lessons on any device available, as long as you have a functioning web browser and an internet connection.
iDriveSafely also gives you the option to start the first few chapters for FREE to see if the lesson material appeals to you.
If you have any concerns, comments, or questions along the way, their customer support team will be available to assist you 7 days a week.
iDriveSafely is not state-approved. Make sure you ask your court handler or insurance provider if they accept this online course before taking it.
Anyone who’s looking for a fun and enjoyable experience should definitely consider taking a course from Improv Traffic School.
Their programs were developed by a group of comedians from the Improv Comedy Club.
Although they’re more on the entertaining side of things, there is still a ton of valuable information to be gained from their lessons.
Classes include hilarious videos, texts, animations, games, and more. They also give you un-proctored quizzes at the end of every chapter to see how far you’ve come in your lessons.
Their prices are comparable to both iDriveSafely and GoToTrafficSchool.
But the real selling point of Improv Traffic School is their course companion app, which you can download on the Apple App Store on your mobile device.
Take your lessons anywhere and anytime you want using your mobile gadget!
Improv Traffic School is also not state-approved. Confirm first if your court handler or insurance provider will accept this online school or not.
Christo Driving School offers both virtual and in-person classes and is certified by the Massachusetts RMV.
Virtual classes are conducted via Zoom by a state-certified defensive driving instructor.
Before you can take a class, you have to inform your teacher ahead about your desired schedule so he or she can plot it.
It’s not exactly as convenient as most defensive driving courses. But you can still take lessons from the comfort of your own home.
Once you’ve finalized your registration and paid for your course, you’re given access to your lesson materials via the Christo Driving School website.
Their course is 4 hours long, the shortest allowable by Massachusetts law. You can take it over a span of several days to avoid overloading your brain.
The National Safety Council has been authorized by the Massachusetts RMV to provide online defensive driving courses to drivers who need a little guidance on how to be a safer driver.
This course teaches young drivers how to avoid fatal collisions and how to ensure their passenger’s safety when on the road.
The whole program is 8 hours long and can be accessed via the National Safety Council website.
Similar to Christo Driving School, lessons are scheduled ahead of time, so make sure to contact your instructor about any changes and alterations to your time.
Massachusetts Online Traffic School FAQs
What are the requirements for traffic school in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires ALL motorists to take in-person defensive driving classes if they wish to dismiss a traffic ticket.
However, due to the ongoing pandemic, there may be some exceptions. Contact your Massachusetts RMV or the Massachusetts municipal court to ask if the online defensive driving program you’re looking at will satisfy their court requirements.
On the other hand, if it’s an insurance discount you’re looking for, you’ll have to contact your insurance provider and ask them about their policy on defensive driving discounts.
How long does online traffic school take in Massachusetts?
Most programs take at least 4-8 hours to complete.
If you’re taking live virtual classes with an instructor, it may take a couple of days or weeks.
How do I register for Massachusetts online traffic school?
For self-paced online traffic school programs, you can simply register through your chosen school’s website by filling out a personal information form.
You also might be asked to create a username and password. Once that’s done, you’ll be taken to a secure check-out page where you can pay your course fee.
For live virtual classes with an instructor, aside from having to fill out a personal information sheet, you may also need to contact their office for verification purposes.
What are the benefits of online traffic school?
Apart from insurance discounts, taking an online defensive driving course can also save you money in terms of course fees.
Because it’s taken completely online, rental fees for facilities and other services can be taken out of the equation.
Furthermore, online defensive driving allows you to take lessons from the comfort of your home. You can take it at your own pace, around your own schedule, and on any device.
How do I know if an online traffic school in Massachusetts is for me?
If you’re looking for affordability and convenience, then online traffic school is definitely for you. Online traffic schools provide services that most in-person classes don’t. You get more for a much cheaper price!
We should mention again that online traffic schools are only temporarily accepted in Massachusetts. To be extra sure, inform your local RMV, court handler, or insurance provider first.
Conclusion
Although online traffic school is a fairly new concept in Massachusetts, you can still enroll in a program that can satisfy court requirements, so long as you get permission from the Massachusetts RMV, the Massachusetts municipal court, or your insurance provider.
These 5 online traffic schools we mentioned here are sure to offer you the best of the best in Massachusetts.