Teens are not exactly known for being careful. So, what will happen when they get behind the wheel? If you look at statistics, it is not hard to see that teenage drivers are responsible for a major proportion of road accidents.
Texas is a populous state with numerous highways and interstates across it. This makes driving safety particularly crucial in Texas.
Ask any teen driver if they are a great driver, and you will always receive a yes for an answer. This, however, is not always the case. Some teen drivers enjoy speeding. Some others get distracted easily and crash their car. Some of them are aggressive and show no concern for traffic rules. As a result, every day, without fail, traffic cops in Texas issue tickets for speeding and other traffic violations. If you are a teenage driver in Texas fined for a traffic violation, in most cases, you have the opportunity to approach a court for getting permission to do a state-approved driving course online.
Of course, some teens assume that paying the fine and getting points added to their driving record is faster than doing a course. However, there are plenty of reasons to complete a defensive driving course in Texas online.
What are the advantages of taking an online driving course?
These are self-taught programs that allow teens to train at their own pace. You can start learning as soon as you join the program, as no instructor approval is required. The online driving courses come with a learner’s permit exam that can be taken online. These courses are also approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
The online driving courses teach:
- Drivers Ed Preparation
- Traffic Laws
- Risk Reduction and Management
- Vehicle Movements
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Distractions
- Adverse Circumstances
And many more
These online courses are the fastest way for you to fulfill all the requirements for a driver’s permit and get behind the wheel. When you complete the first module of your online course, you can take the permit exam online. When you pass the exam, the learner’s permit certificate will be emailed to you. You can then approach Texas DPS with this certificate and get your permit. Once you get the permit, you can start the actual driving practice behind the wheel.
How does online driver’s ed work in Texas?
Texas online driver’s ed allows teenagers to master the basics of safe driving without having to attend a classroom program. As this is a self-taught program, you don’t have to be accompanied by a parent/guardian. That means the course will in no way affect your schedule.
What is covered in the online driver’s ed in Texas?
The Texas Drivers Ed teaches traffic laws and defensive driving habits to teens. The course teaches teens how to share the road with other drivers, handle emergencies, read traffic signs and signals and avoid distractions. This self-paced online course includes thirty-two hours of learning.
How to obtain your Texas Learner’s Permit
Teenagers aged 15-17 can take the learner’s permit exam online after completing the first module of the course, lasting about six hours. Once they pass the permit exam, they will be emailed a Texas Driver Education Certificate (DE-964) by email. Visit the driver’s license office with your parent or guardian and show your driver’s ed certificate and other required documents to get your learner’s permit. The documents that you need to submit include your identity card, proof of residence, insurance policy, vehicle registration document, and school enrollment.
Your photo will be taken and your signature and thumb impressions will be recorded if you fulfill all the requirements for your permit. You have to pay the application fee and pass an eye examination. You will then be issued a temporary license. In about 2-3 weeks, you will receive the official learner’s permit in the mail.
Advantages of doing a Texas driving course online
Here are some reasons for completing a Texas driving course online
Cleaner Driving Record
In Texas, the points that they add to your driving records will remain there for 3 years. The more points you accumulate, the higher your insurance rates. What’s more, if you collect too many points in a very short period, they may revoke or suspend your driving license. You also run the risk of getting surcharges imposed on you.
If you complete a driver safety course online, the points that are currently associated with your pending infraction will be dismissed, and your driving record will be clean. It is essential to not collect points if you want to keep your insurance rates low and prevent surcharges.
No Heavy Fines
In Texas, you can have certain kinds of traffic violations dismissed in court if you do a driving course online within a specified period. Some tickets may carry fines amounting to several hundred dollars. You need to pay the court fee as well, and it can be 100 USD or more.
If you do a 6-hour defensive driving course online in Texas, you will not have to pay a fine for your infraction. While you still have to pay the court fee, your savings will run into hundreds of dollars.
Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of doing an online driving safety course is that you can do it at a time and place convenient to you. You don’t have to take time off of your busy schedule and attend a class with several other learners. You can access the course on your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Higher Convenience
As per the most recent laws in Texas, course providers can send completion certificates to learners via email. This makes it even more convenient as you do not have to wait for the postman to deliver the certificate. Once you receive the emailed certificate, you can print it out and submit it to the court to have the infraction dismissed or points forgiven.
Save on Your Insurance Premium
Completing a driving course online also enables you to save up to 10% on your insurance premium for three years with some insurance companies. That means, that even if you don’t have any infractions, doing the course can save you hundreds of dollars on car insurance.
