By: Ursula Nizalowski
Whether you’re a teenager that just got a driver’s license or an adult with many years of driving experience, there’s always the option of taking a driver’s ed course. Available online and in-person, drivers education is usually recommended for teens so they’re prepared for what’s ahead of them on the road. But what about adult drivers? Could such a course benefit them as well? To answer these questions, let us explore the pros and cons of taking a drivers ed course in general.
Pros
1) It’s Educational
For new drivers, getting to know the rules of driving are necessary for staying safe. Thus, it’s a no-brainer for them to take a driver’s ed course. But it can also be useful to experienced drivers who move to a new state that has different traffic laws and deal with “new driving conditions, like city traffic or snowy roadways” according to DriversEd.com.
2) It Gets Rid of Bad Habits
Over the years, drivers develop certain habits when it comes to their driving. While most habits may be harmless, some might be unsafe. So taking a drivers ed course will help experienced drivers get rid of these bad habits.
3) It’s Flexible
Thanks to the internet, drivers have the option to take a driving class online instead of in-person. Of course, it all depends on personal preference and what the driver’s schedule is like in terms of fitting in a drivers ed course. But in either case, there are plenty of options when it comes to driving classes.
Cons
1) It Can Be Costly
Depending which option you go with, a drivers ed course can cost a lot of money. For instance, a typical online course will cost somewhere between “$50 to $100” according to Autoblog. But an in-person course includes behind-the-wheel training and classroom instruction which costs a cumulative total of about “$200 to $800” (CostHelper, quoted by Autoblog), meaning it’s arguably more expensive to take a driving course in-person versus online.
2) It’s Time-Consuming
Since we all have personal obligations, it can be difficult to plan taking a drivers ed course in the midst of everything else we might have going on. Though the difficulty of scheduling classes depends on the type of class. If it’s an in-person one, then you have to stick to “Rigid time schedules” DMV.ORG says while an online course can “can take longer than in-person classes” (DriversEd.com) due to the amount of lessons that are given all at once.
3) It Might Be A Scam
Despite the internet’s convenience, there’s also a greater risk when putting your personal information out there. Such a risk is especially problematic when taking an online drivers education course, as some of them are really scams and not recognized by your state. To pick up on the signs of a drivers ed scam, check out this article by Traffic School Critics.
The Verdict
As said before, it really comes down to personal preference and the necessity of taking a drivers education course. For young drivers, learning the rules of the road is a must-have for their safety. On the other hand, adult drivers can learn a thing or two from drivers ed that will keep them in top shape driving-wise. But for any accidents that do occur, be sure to contact attorney Rick Wagner.