For many teens, learning how to drive is a step towards freedom. But for some, it is a downright scary process. 

And why wouldn’t you be scared when there are people who get hurt from vehicular accidents all the time? 

Okay, that may have sounded discouraging, but let me tell you something. 

Driving is an important skill to have, and it might be scary at first, but you will get the hang of it. But a good driver’s ed will prepare you for the road and teach you what it takes to be a smart and responsible driver. This is why choosing the right school for your driver’s ed is important.

So, to help you pick the right education provider, I’ve prepared a review of two of the best online driving schools in the US: iDriveSafely and First Time Driver.

We will review both schools based on the following categories:

• Availability
• User experience
• Pricing
• Reviews
• Features

First, let’s get started with a quick background on the two schools.

iDriveSafely vs. First Time Driver: A Background Check

iDriveSafely has been in the business of producing safe drivers for over 15 years. 

Its expertly crafted courses promote safe and responsible driving and are some of the most comprehensive driver’s ed courses there are. They also keep their course content updated and improves their offerings to give their customers the best quality of education. 

Meanwhile, First Time Driver is an online e-learning company that operates under its parent, the American Safety Council. ASC offers solutions to individuals and organizations by providing professional training, including online driver education.

Both iDriveSafely and First Time Driver are BBB-accredited with A+ ratings. 

With that out of the way, let’s get to the schools’ comparison.

iDriveSafely vs First Time Driver: A Side by Side Comparison

Here’s a quick comparison chart to summarize all the essential factors that we will be looking into:

Now let's get into the details!

Availability

As you can see from the chart above, First Time Driver has a few more state-approved driver’s ed programs than iDriveSafely. However, keep in mind that iDriveSafely’s online driver’s ed courses are also available through its partner, DriversEd (state-approved in CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, MN, NE, NV, NC, OH, OK, PA, TX, UT, VA, and WI).

User Experience

iDriveSafely is best known for its quick and easy courses. It promises that you won’t spend any more than you need on its modules. It will take you only the minimum hours mandated by law and won’t bore you to sleep. 

Its coursework features plenty of interactive elements such as images, videos, animations, and games. Some of the videos may be a little outdated, but they are still entertaining. The quizzes are fun and easy, and they help you retain what you learned without being burdensome. 

The lessons are broken down into easy-to-read chapters. The coursework is not word-heavy, and information is digestible. If you are someone who gets bored easily, you will have no problems finishing iDriveSafely’s driver’s ed course. 

First Time Driver, on the other hand, offers simple yet straightforward driver’s ed programs. Unlike iDriveSafely, though, its courses do not have that many interactive elements, and they tend to be bland. Nevertheless, they include all the information you will need as a newbie driver. 

While their courses are not exciting, they contain complete and up-to-date content. They are also easy to navigate. From sign up to speaking with a representative when you’ve got a question, the entire process is smooth, and customer service is commendable. 

Pricing

With regards to pricing, the two schools have similar price ranges. For example, both schools offer Texas online driver’s ed at around $90.

Of course, the price differs for each state, depending on how long the mandated course should be.

Reviews

What’s interesting about iDriveSafely’s online driver’s ed program is the way it presents information. Once you start the course, you will meet a group of animated characters, including the grumpy car freshener and the dancing dashboard hula girl. These characters will bring life to your driving lessons and add entertainment to your study time. 

While iDriveSafely does not have an app, its courses work well on mobile devices, and you can switch between your laptop and your phone without worrying about your progress NOT getting synced.  

Because of this, it’s no wonder iDriveSafely boasts a whopping 4.8 out of 5 stars in Trustpilot. Their students are very satisfied with the course. 

Meanwhile, First Time Driver’s user interface is not compatible with all devices. One user commented that “the service was great, but the quality was bad for Chromebooks and iPhones.” That is quite a disadvantage, especially because most teens use their phones nowadays to study.

Despite this, First Time Driver has received a 4.7 out of 5 stars in ShopperApproved. This is partly because of their customer support team that is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Any questions and/or concerns will be dealt with as soon as possible.  

Features

One of the best things about iDriveSafely is that it offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the service, they’ll refund the full cost of the course within a month of purchase, provided you have not finished or been issued a certificate. 

Not all schools have this guarantee. It reflects well on the school because they have confidence in their service. 

There aren’t any special features to First Time Driver. It’s nice to know, though, that it offers a free online DMV practice test. Even before you sign up for a program, you can check out the 20 questions on their website. That’s pretty cool because not many schools give away free stuff. 

Alternatives

Here are two more online driving school options you might be interested in:

Aceable

Aceable hasn’t even been around for ten years, but it is undoubtedly one of the best online driving schools in the country. It began as a start-up in 2012 and is now popularly known for offering the most modern and most advanced driver’s ed programs. 

Its coursework features unparalleled multimedia content such as rich graphics, HD videos, and 3D animations. It also features interactive games that level up as teen drivers retain information. What’s more, its driver’s ed course is available in a dedicated mobile app, which makes online learning even more convenient. 

The best part is that Aceable’s online driving courses are affordable. They cost from around $25 to $100, depending on the state. They are currently available in nine states, namely CA, FL, GA, IL, NV, OH, OK, PA, and TX.  

MyImprov’s

MyImprov began as an online traffic school by the world-famous Improv Comedy Club. It later expanded and started offering online driver’s ed courses. 

What sets MyImprov apart from others is its humorous approach to teaching the fundamentals of driving. It integrates funny elements such as jokes, memes, and comedic videos in its courses to make learning enjoyable. The school believes that education combined with entertainment is an effective way to impart lessons to its students. 

Its online driver’s ed courses cost from around $20 to $90 and are available in CA, FL, GA, IN, KY, NV, NY, and TX. 

Verdict

No doubt about it - both schools offer good quality online driver’s ed courses. 

However, the better one will still depend on your preferences, and the best school will always be the one that will suit your learning style. 

So think about what iDriveSafely can offer, then think about First Time Driver. Whatever sounds more to your liking, go for it. 

Good luck!