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Free Defensive Driving Course Online

There are many reasons to enroll in a defensive driving course. But which do you choose? Here are the best free defensive driving courses online.

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Driving has become one of the most valuable skills people currently possess, especially if you are a driver who navigates the road cautiously, avoiding being among the 1.3 million lives claimed through car accidents.

You can achieve this by enrolling in one of the top cheap defensive driving courses online.

There are lots of uncertainties you ought to anticipate when on the road.

With that in mind, equip yourself with defensive driving skills to maneuver stealthily.

Here is a discussion on defensive driving, where you can find cheap online defensive driving courses and the top cheap defensive driving courses online.

What Is a Defensive Driving Course?

Defensive driving is a method of driving that means you’re constantly looking out for anything that could happen on the road.

Just because you know the laws doesn’t mean all other drivers adhere to them.

When you’re constantly on alert, you’re able to see a potential problem and avoid it.

A defensive driving course tells you about possible problems and gives ways to avoid them, as well as solutions if an accident is inevitable.

Courses use written information, video explanations, and follow-up quizzes to deliver the knowledge.

Some drivers take a course to get lower insurance rates, so check with your agent to see if this applies to you.

Certain courses can also clear traffic tickets, depending on the state.

From New York state to Texas defensive driving courses, you can find something regardless of where you live.

Where Can I Find Free Online Defensive Driving Courses?

If you’re looking for an approved defensive driving course from your state to clear a ticket, check your government website or the Department of Motor Vehicles.

They’ll have acceptable courses and information about whether you must attend traffic school in person or can take an online course.

Your auto insurance company also has information about online defensive driving courses.

Some companies, like Geico or the American Safety Council, offer their own online defensive driving course at a discount.

Top Free Defensive Driving Courses Online

These top five defensive driving courses have a low cost but pay off in terms of clearing tickets and giving you insurance discounts.

  1. OSHAcademy
  2. Drive Safe Online
  3. I Drive Safely
  4. MyImprov
  5. National Safety Council

1. OSHAcademy

screenshot of the OSHAcademy homepage

The defensive driving course from OSHAcademy is free, but you don’t have access to the final exam unless you register for the program.

If you want the information for your knowledge and safety, then this site is a great way to take a course for free.

As it comes from the Occupational Safety and Health Training, the lessons focus on employees who drive for work.

But the information covers general rules of the road and emergencies.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to use signals and flashers properly
  • Ideal distance for keeping a steady pace in traffic
  • How to handle emergencies on the road

2. Drive Safe Online

screenshot of the Drive Safe Online homepage

Drive Safe Online isn’t a free course, but it offers a free demo so you can see the content you’ll get.

Curse cost varies depending on the state.

You can choose a one-hour course, which is what most people need to get a defensive driving discount.

If your insurance company requires a six-hour course, Drive Safe Online offers that as well.

You get a certificate of completion to show your insurance agent.

What You’ll Learn:

  • What to do in emergencies
  • Laws to follow for safe driving
  • How to control emotional stress while on the road

3. I Drive Safely

screenshot of the I drive Safely homepage

I Drive Safely offers an online defensive driving course to lower your insurance or clear a ticket.

As long as your state and insurance company accept an online course, this option will give you what you need for a low price.

When you finish the course, you’ll get a certificate to turn in to your insurance agency or local court.

After selecting your state, you’ll get to see the price, as well as if the state approves this course for tickets and traffic violations.

You can then complete the course at your own pace.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to be a courteous driver
  • Staying alert and avoiding distractions while driving
  • Being aware of potential hazards on the road

4. MyImprov

screenshot of the MyImprov homepage

Online courses can get boring and you don’t want to risk dozing off and missing important defensive driving information.

The online class from MyImprov is humorous and informative so you’ll want to pay attention to the entire course.

You can finish this class in one sitting if you make time for it, but you have the freedom to go at your own pace.

After you go over the six chapters of information, you’ll take an exit quiz to earn your certificate.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to keep a clear mind while driving
  • Ways to avoid accidents
  • Local traffic laws specific to your state

5. National Safety Council

screenshot of the National Safety Council homepage

The defensive driving course from the National Safety Council is a little more expensive than others on this list, depending on what lessons you need.

You can choose from programs such as:

  • Distracted driving
  • Avoiding aggressive driving
  • Parking lot strategies
  • Speed management

You can complete the course at your own pace, but you must do it within 12 months of purchase or your access expires.

You can also find classroom-based courses from this provider if your state doesn’t accept online certificates.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Types of distracted driving and how to avoid them
  • Aggressive, fatigued, and impaired driving lessons
  • Parking lot and intersections strategies

Top Cheap Defensive Driving Courses Online

Once you have covered each stage in your pursuit of an approved defensive driving course, choose from this list commendable top cheap defensive driving courses online to hone your skills on the road.

  1. Texas Defensive Driving Course
  2. New Jersey Online Defensive Driving Course
  3. New York Defensive Driving
  4. NSC Defensive Driving Online Course
  5. MyImprov Traffic School

1. Texas Defensive Driving Course

screenshot of the Texas Defensive Driving Course homepage

The Texas Driving School  offers the Texas Defensive Driving Course for natives to the Lonestar State who want to hone their skills.

Their defensive driving class is top-notch with their extended period of expertise.

Enrolling in the Texas Defensive Driving Cours can help you save on auto insurance if your insurance provider offers a defensive driving discount.

Their courses are 100% online and do not require any special software.

Averagely, the course takes between 4 and 8 hours.

Upon completing your online course, you will be awarded a defensive driving course certificate.

The course includes extensive learning on the following topics:

  • Traffic crashes
  • Traffic Safety problems
  • Psychological factors
  • Crash dynamics
  • Crash prevention strategies
  • Vehicle maintenance
  • Impaired drivers

2. New Jersey Online Defensive Driving Course

screenshot of the New Jersey Online Defensive Driving Course homepage

Another dependable defensive driving school is the New Jersey defensive driving course.

This course reduces 2 points from your driving record.

In addition, their delivery method is mobile-friendly with a full-screen video of animated text narrations.

New Jersey Defensive Driving Course presents all successful candidates with a completion certificate immediately upon completion of the course via email.

This course details are as follows:

  • Safe driving techniques for emergencies
  • Procedures to handle fatigue, emotional stress, and road rage
  • Road signs and rules of the road
  • Accident statistics
  • Highway driving safety

3. New York Defensive Driving

screenshot of the New York Defensive homepage

New York Defensive Driving is also a reliable course provider sponsored by the New York State Safety Program.

Completion of this course accords you up to 4 points off your driving record.

Also, you can save 10% on your car insurance for three years.

This online course takes 320 minutes to complete in totality.

Once you complete the stipulated course hours, you are issued a certificate.

Below is a list of things you will learn in your study.

  • How medications affect driving abilities
  • How to reduce driver restrictions
  • Minimizing road risks
  • Proper use of vehicle safety features, such as anti-lock brakes

4. NSC Defensive Driving Online Course

screenshot of the National Safety Council homepage

The National Safety Council is the pioneer of defensive driving courses.

You can trust the NSC defensive driving online course to equip you with the requisite driving skills that will ensure your safety while on the road.

This course provider specializes in training drivers to avoid collisions, crashes, and injuries.

You are to finish the course within 30 days after registering, upon which you have presented a certificate.

The following are some of the topics covered by the providers:Traffic laws

Safety on the road

How to decrease the risk of collision and traffic violations

Motor vehicle repairs and replacement techniques

5. MyImprov Traffic School

screenshot of the MyImprov homepage

This traffic school utilizes videos, quizzes, diagrams, and texts to impart defensive drive knowledge and skills to all who enroll for the course.

At MyImprov Traffic School, you can complete the entire course in one sitting.

If that is not your cup of tea, you can log out and finish later in your comfort.

Completion of the course is rewarded with a certificate.

Here is the outline of the course:

  • Fundamentals of traffic school
  • Traffic crashes
  • Mental factors of good driving
  • Accident prevention
  • What happens when you are involved in an accident, including filing insurance claims
  • Distracted driving
  • Traffic Laws

What Should I Look For?

Before enrolling in an online defensive driving class, you need to check for certain factors.

You don’t want to spend time taking a class that isn’t going to deliver what you need.

1. Course Accreditation in Your State

You want to make sure your state will accept the course.

If you’re taking the class to clear a ticket, check your state’s government website for certification information.

Some courses, such as I Drive Safely, will tell you if it’s an approved course for each state.

If you’re taking a course to lower your car insurance rates, contact your auto insurance agent directly.

Tell them which course you’re going to take so they can let you know if it suits the requirements.

2. Certificate of Completion

Unless you’re taking a course for your knowledge, you need a certificate of completion.

This will show the court or your insurance agent that you finished the course and learned all you need to know.

3. Hidden Fees

The courses on this list only have one set fee to access the course and get your certificate.

But if you’re looking at other options, make sure you read the fine print.

You don’t want to pay for a course just to discover that you have to pay even more to access the certificate.

Benefits of Online Defensive Driving Courses

Taking a defensive driving online course has many benefits, one being that you don’t have to attend traffic school in person.

  • Lower Insurance Costs: Insurance companies want their drivers to be safe on the road. Many will give an insurance discount if you show that you’ve taken a defensive driving course.
  • Reduce Points and Fines: Most states reduce points, lower fines, or clear the driving record if the driver goes to a defensive driving school after getting a ticket.
  • Learn New Driving Techniques: Learning new driving techniques from defensive driving courses can help you stay safe when you’re on the road. You might learn a skill that prevents an accident!
  • Refresh Your Knowledge of Driving: For some people, driver’s ed was a long time ago. Taking a defensive driving course lets you brush up on the rules of the road.

Wrapping Up

When you’re looking for the top free defensive driving courses online, you want to find an option that teaches what you need to know.

See if your state or insurance accepts the course and make sure you get a certificate to show you’ve taken it.

You can complete these online courses at your pace, but most don’t take longer than one hour.

So what are you waiting for?

Start now so you can clear your record and get an insurance discount!

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