Every new driver needs a driver’s education to learn driving skills, safety techniques, and road rules and regulations.
Now, if you’re looking for a reliable online driver’s ed provider, we highly recommend DriversEd and First Time Driver.
Both schools offer quality education, affordable courses, convenience, and flexibility.
But when comparing two things, you will naturally ask, “Which one is better?”
Today, we’re going to walk you through a DriversEd vs First Time Driver comparison review. With this, you’ll be able to see which one fits YOUR needs and references more.
So without further ado, let’s get comparing!
DriversEd vs First Time Driver - An Overview
Before we go into the details, here are some quick facts about DriversEd and First Time Driver.
DriversEd has been providing driver’s education across the US for more than 25 years already. They have set the standard with their reputable teaching methods.
Meanwhile, First Time Driver is backed by American Safety Council, a national leader in delivering online training solutions for different industries, including online driver education. They released their first online advanced driver improvement school in 2005.
So with years of experience and expertise alone, you’ll surely get high-quality education from these schools. No doubt about that.
But to see which one suits you more, we’ll look into each of their features.
DriversEd vs First Time Driver - A Side by Side Comparison
In this comparison review, we’ll compare the 2 online driving schools with the following factors:
- Availability
- Course Options
- Pricing
- User Experience
- Reviews
- Features
To start it off, here’s a comparison chart:
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Ready to dig deeper?
Let’s discuss each factor in detail.
Availability
If you look at the chart, you can clearly see that DriversEd is more readily available.
Not only do they offer approved courses to 17 states, as opposed to First Time Driver’s 11, but they also offer state-specific courses to all 50 states, as well as in DC.
If you live in a state where DriversEd is not approved, you simply have to ask permission from the DMV if they will accept the course to satisfy state requirements.
As for First Time Driver, you can be sure that the 11 states they offer their driver’s ed courses are all approved.
Course Options
A quick look at our comparison chart shows that these 2 online schools offer a variety of course options.
Both offer exam preparation, online driver’s ed for teens and adults, and Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (FL TLSAE) courses.
But while DriversEd has an option for in-car driving lessons, high school credit, insurance discount, and even defensive driving, First Time Driver has Parent Taught Driver’s Ed and an Exam Prep and Driver’s Ed combo.
There’s a clear distinction here as to which school you should choose depending on what you seek.
Want your parents to teach you how to drive? First Time Driver offers the course you need.
Want to earn high school credit? DriversEd can help you with that.
Pricing
Moving on to pricing details - this is probably the most important factor for some.
To give you a straight answer - DriversEd is the more affordable option.
This isn’t just because their lowest price for driver’s education is currently at $20. But mainly because they offer their course at discounted prices.
Of course, that in no way means that First Time Driver isn’t affordable as well. In fact, the lowest price for driver’s ed is only around $40.
But if you want the cheapest of the cheap, then DriversEd is the cheaper option.
User Experience
As online providers, both DriversEd and First Time Driver offer 100% online courses (as expected). This already makes the user experience top-notch.
To add to that, both also have an auto-sync feature or progress tracker. This allows you to log out anytime and continue where you left off once you’re ready to resume the course.
What’s more, both schools have reliable customer support professionals available to answer students' concerns 24/7. You can even avail of a live chat option for quicker response time.
However, navigating through DriversEd’s website is a lot more user-friendly. They have very detailed course descriptions and even a dedicated FAQs page for each state. Yes, you can even find information about your state’s requirement for driver’s education.
Reviews
Both schools boast positive customer reviews and satisfaction ratings.
I mean, DriversEd received 4.6/5 excellent stars in Trustpilot based on more than 8,000 reviews, while First Time Driver has received a 4.7/5 satisfaction rating at ShopperApproved based on 13K+ reviews.
If you can’t take my word for it, then customer reviews are always an honest source for insights about the learning experience a school provides to its students.
So let’s take a look at what some have to say.
Most of the reviews for DriversEd show appreciation for how easy it was to navigate and complete the driver’s ed course. Some pointed out spelling errors but then admitted that it was still a great experience.
Here are just some reviews for DriversEd:
Meanwhile, First Time Driver students say the course was very easy to complete and they loved the incentive that they received after they passed the test.
Here are some reviews for First Time Driver:
Features
Last but in no way least - features.
Both DriversEd and First Time Driver take advantage of visual resources to provide an engaging and enjoyable learning experience.
DriversEd utilizes 3D animations and driving scenarios that contribute to making lessons more interesting.
Plus, they have a mobile app that allows you to download all your study materials! It’s downloadable for both iOS and Android devices (only available in CA, TX, and CO at the moment), making access to video materials and lessons seamless.
And, as an added perk, DriversEd offers FREE month access to the Allstate Roadside Services plan. You can cancel anytime or pay $5 a month to continue your subscription after one month.
On the other hand, First Time Driver takes advantage of driving animations to explain the complexities of driving on the road.
Though their course leans more towards text-based learning, being affiliated with the American Safety Council (ASC) guarantees a more comprehensive driver’s ed.
First Time Driver also offers a few add-ons, such as their exam prep and audio read-along features (available in some states only).
Alternatives
Looking for other online driver’s ed alternatives?
Here are some other online driver’s ed providers you should definitely check out:
Fun-loving newbies out there should check out MyImprov’s driver's ed course. These were co-written by comedy writers. You won’t want to miss out on all the hilarious jokes and comedy skits that they can add to your learning experience!
Meanwhile, new-gen drivers should probably opt for the fresh course materials from Aceable. Their course is available in very limited states, though.
The Verdict
Finally, we’ve come to a close.
I've given you everything you need to know about DriversEd and First Time Driver.
I’m not someone who wishes to impose anything on you, so now it’s time to make your choice.
I hope this comparison review has helped you find areas to distinguish one school from the other - areas to improve on and areas where each school does well.
So ask yourself now, “which school provides the services that can meet my needs as a student?”
Answer that question and there you have it - your best choice!
Good luck!