If you’re thinking about getting your license for the first time in New York, you will be required to take a driver’s ed program or a pre-licensing course.
Too busy? Wondering if you can take the course online instead of in-person?
Unfortunately, the New York legislature has not yet approved online driver education.
But due to the COVID pandemic, and to adhere to social distancing guidelines, pre-licensing classes are temporarily allowed to be taken online. Though it has to be real-time through Zoom, WebEx, or any other online teleconferencing platforms.
Classes should be in partnership with a DMV-approved school, too.
Curious where to find one that meets these requisites?
Let me provide a list of some of the best online driver’s ed in New York.
Best Online Driver’s Ed in New York
In New York, there’s the comprehensive online driver’s ed program and there’s a 5-hour pre-licensing course that you must take to get your first driver’s license if you’re under 18.
Here are the top 3 online driver’s ed schools for supplementary learning:
Here are 2 driver’s ed schools offering approved online pre-license courses in New York:
Note: Though online classes are not approved in New York, you can still take the course for an auto insurance discount or your own educational purposes. For example, if you want to prepare for the written exam to get your learner’s permit.
DriverEdToGo
DriverEdToGo’s driver’s education course is not officially approved in New York, but even so, it is a great learning tool that you can count on to help you pass your learner’s permit written test.
One great thing about this school is that it recognizes how important it is to get your parents involved in their child’s learning. This is the reason why their teen online driver’s ed was designed to incorporate parent supervision.
You can still take the course on your own time, wherever you choose, and whenever you’re ready. You can access the course from any device, too!
The course offered by DriverEdToGo includes well-researched materials that are written by driver safety experts and licensed teachers.
What’s cool about it is that they even added special features such as audio read-along, streaming videos, interactive drills, and driving simulations. So it’s guaranteed that you’ll also be entertained while learning about driving safely.
Another online driver’s ed provider that you can look into is DriversEd.
This online course will not give you any DMV credit if you're applying for a license. But this is a great course if you want to ace your learner’s permit exam. You can also get an insurance discount for completing this course!
But why take the course from DriversEd? Well, they have been in the business for more than 30 years. You’ll be sure to receive the type of service built on experience and expertise.
With a dedicated and professional staff, they have designed their course in such a way that students won’t feel rushed to complete the lessons.
If you’re worried about losing your progress, their activity tracker will help ensure that when you take some time off, you can resume your work right from where you stopped.
They also offer courses at a discounted price, so make sure to check their website to avail of their great offers!
Another online driver’s ed provider that you can enroll in for supplemental learning (and if you’re hoping to save up on insurance costs) is CyberEdDriverEd.
They offer their driver's ed course in three different formats: online, online DVD, video streaming DVD.
The online format is the usual course that is available online 24/7. On the other hand, you can bring the driver’s ed DVDs at home to watch fun and exciting lessons about everyday driving.
The difference with the video streaming DVD format is that this one combines music and animations with instructions provided by professional actors to bring you a driver training experience that is highly entertaining. You'll feel like you’re just streaming a movie about driving lessons.
CyberEdDriverEd is part of CyberActive, an e-Learning that was established in 2000. They have served over 1,000,000 drivers already, and according to their website, over 99% of their former students have given CyberActive's courses high marks.
If you are hesitant to pay extra for additional learning, let’s say you’ve already taken a driver's ed course in high school, here's a bonus for you.
Aceable is currently offering a FREE NY Driver’s Ed Test Prep course - a fully online and mobile-friendly study guide that can help you prepare for your learner permit exam.
This interactive study aid includes 20 levels of lessons and unlimited free practice tests that you can access through your smartphone.
Yes, it’s not state-approved, but you’re getting all these free online driver’s ed resources for free so better grab the chance while their offer stands!
Aceable is one of the newest driver’s ed providers in the US, but it is also the most well-received in states where its courses are available. You’ll love the freshness of their course materials, even the ones you get for free!
If you want to enroll in a pre-licensing course that fulfills state requirements, classes should be conducted in real-time, via live, face-to-face video sessions.
Ivy League Driver Education hired state-certified instructors who will make sure that you know everything that you need to know in preparation for your road test.
What’s great is that, if you want to enroll with your group of friends, they have that option, too!
They normally offer in-person classes only, but due to COVID, you can now enroll in their virtual classes with 4 schedules available. You can choose to learn during the fall, winter, spring, or summer. Whichever is more convenient for you, they got you covered!
Virtual classes are conducted via Zoom. Zoom codes will be emailed to you before the first day of the virtual class. Check their website for their virtual class schedules, then give them a call to enroll, and you’re all set!
Camillus Driving School has been highly regarded by countless students for over 30 years. They offer online (via Zoom) and in-person pre-licensing courses.
Their class is open to anyone who has an NYS Learners Permit regardless if you're 16 or 17 years old. Their course does not have tests or quizzes, so no pressure! You can relax and enjoy the lessons, plus you’ll have an instructor available to answer any of your questions live.
New York Online Driver’s Ed FAQS
Is there an age requirement to take a New York driver’s ed course
Yes, there is.
In line with the state’s graduated licensing program, you must be at least 16 years old to enroll in a driver’s ed course, which is mandatory for teens under 18.
What is the difference between a comprehensive driver’s ed course and a pre-licensing course in NY?
These are the two courses available to teens in NY when applying for a New York driver's license— a pre-licensing course and a comprehensive driver’s ed course.
Both course certificates will be accepted by the New York DMV as long as you’ve taken the course from an approved driving school.
Note: New York doesn’t approve online driver’s ed yet, unless, of course, it is offered by an approved in-person school through Livestreaming.
What are the requirements for online driver’s ed in New York?
A New York driver’s ed course offers a more intensive approach to prepare you for driving. An online course won't satisfy New York's pre-licensing course requirement, but it can be taken for supplemental learning if you’re preparing to get your learner’s permit.
You can take this course as early as 16 years old, and there’s no specific requirement. But if you are applying for the pre-licensing course, that’s different.
The pre-licensing course is commonly offered in high schools and colleges and is only a short five-hour course.
Before the COVID pandemic, The NY state only allows students to take this course in person, but currently, online classes are approved until further notice.
You should already have your NYS Learner's Permit regardless if you're 16 or 17 years old to enroll.
Conclusion
Getting a license to drive around New York can be a bit difficult because, unlike other states, NY has not approved online driver’s education yet.
Thankfully, the need to adhere to social distancing guidelines made it possible to take live virtual classes instead.
This is a convenience you don’t want to pass on if you're gearing up to apply for your first driver's license.
Meanwhile, if you’re preparing for your permit tests, taking online driver’s ed for supplemental learning will also give you a clear advantage. It will help you ace your written test!
The exciting features mentioned in our list are just some examples of what you can get from online driver’s ed programs.
Hope you find the one that suits you best — good luck!