Online vs. In-Person Driver's Ed in Austin: Which Is Right for You?

When sitting down to explore driver education course options for you or your teen in Austin, some of the search terms you may end up typing into Google or Bing may be “online drivers ed austin” or "texas drivers ed online." After all, if you can order groceries, pay your taxes, and watch a movie online, why can’t you take your driver’s ed course online, as well?

All potential Texas driver's license holders aged 18 and under in Austin are required to 32 hours of theoretical driver’s education, plus 14 hours of driving lessons with a certified driving instructor. While your behind-the-wheel hours cannot be completed online (we’re not there quite yet with technology), the mandated 32 hours of driving theory may be completed via either an approved, online course or in a traditional in-person, classroom setting. Note that for students participating in parent taught driver education, both the online and in-person versions of driver's education are available.

Pros and Cons

With online learning being such a popular option, is there any reason to explore alternatives to an online driver’s education course? While we know online classes can be convenient, there are upsides and downsides to both online and in-person versions of driver’s ed in Austin. We’ll break down the pros and cons below.

Driver's Education: Online Courses

Online driver’s education covers the same topics as a classroom driver’s education course, meaning students will learn about the laws and rules of the road in Texas, safe driving practices, and how to handle dangerous driving situations. All online driver’s education courses must be approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration, meaning the material you study in your online course will help to prepare you for your Texas written exam.

Online driver’s education in Austin is limited to two hours per day. as per Texas State law. At Coastline, your course will time out once you have reached the two-hour limit and you will be able to continue the next day. In addition to reading and video materials, online driver’s education includes period unit checks to ensure you are retaining the information you have been presented with and a final knowledge check, which will determine your overall driver’s education grade.

You are able to take online driver’s education on your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer!

Pros

There are a number of benefits that come from online driver’s education:

Complete your driver’s ed on your own time!

We know teens have busy schedules that are not always conducive to evening driver’s ed classes. Online coursework gives students the flexibility to learn when they want to, even if your teen is a night owl!

No travel required

No one wants to fight Austin traffic to get to driver’s ed class, especially as you, the parent, will likely be responsible for transporting your teen to and from the classroom site. Online driver’s education allows students to complete their coursework form wherever they want, whether that’s in the comfort of their own room, at a local coffee shop, or even while they’re waiting to be picked up at school!

Can review the material as much as needed

Once a module in the online course is completed, students have the option of returning to the material in order to review for any in-course knowledge checks or when studying for their Texas Written Exam. An online course eliminates the need to go back through tedious worksheets or illegible notes, meaning teens will be able to be prepared and confident when it’s time for their Knowledge Test.

Cons

Nothing’s perfect! When deciding between online and in-person driver’s education classes, keep this following in mind:

Not as social

One of the drawbacks to online education is the lack of social interaction. Some days, you might just want to ask a ffffclassmate if they’ve had the same experience trying in a driving lesson, or even solicit advice in dealing with paperwork or testing requirements. In-person classes are also a great way to make new friends! While online driver’s ed is convenient, don’t forget about the human element.

Can be easy to procrastinate

Getting to complete your driver’s education courses online means you choose the time you access your course. Convenient, right? The flip side to this is that in order to finish your coursework in a timely manner, you need to be organized and keep yourself on schedule. Falling into procrastination is a risk with online courses - make sure you set up a calendar and keep to it!

Not as easy to ask questions

The law and rules of driving in Austin can be confusing! You may have questions you want to ask of a teacher, but with online coursework, finding someone to pick their brain isn’t as easy. The good news is that even if you do take your driver’s education online, you’ll have to jump in the car with a real, certified driving instructor for the practical portion of your driver’s ed. If you do have questions, make sure to ask your Coastline driving instructor!

In-person Driver's Ed at a Driving School

Just like online driver’s education, an in-person driver’s education course in Austin will cover the laws and rules of the road in Texas, safe driving practices, and how to handle dangerous driving situations. All in-person, online driver’s education courses must be approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration, meaning the material you study in your online course will help to prepare you for your Texas written exam.

In-person driver’s education in Austin is limited to two hours per day, as per Texas State law. Most Coastline in-person classes meet four days a week, for a four-week period, although that schedule may be subject to change. Students will learn via books and assigned reading, presentations, videos, and interactive in-class activities such as discussions. Periodic knowledge checks will be assigned to ensure you are retaining the information you have been presented with in addition to a final knowledge check, which will determine your overall driver’s education grade.

In-person driver’s education is offered at a variety of locations!

Pros

Meet other students

In-person learning is a social environment! In the driving school classroom, you’ll be able to meet other driving students your age, compare notes and stories, and maybe even make a friend or two along the way.

Dedicated schedule

A classroom setting may mean a strict schedule but on the plus side, you’ll be able to know exactly when you will finish your driver’s education course so you can plan your next steps to getting your license. 

Ask questions of the instructor

Government websites like that of the Texas Driver License Office can be confusing to navigate and sometimes the internet will give more than one answer to a question. Certified, expert instructors who lead driver’s education classes are not only there to teach, but also answer any concerns or questions you might have about the licensing process or road law.

Cons

Have to travel

Yes, in-person driver’s education does mean a commute. We know Austin traffic can be frustrating at the best of times - make sure you plan ahead and leave yourself plenty of time to get to your driver’s education class site!

No flexibility in schedule

Unlike online learning, in-person driver’s ed requires you to show up to a driving school at the designated days and times. If you have too many absences or are late to class too many times, you may have to start the class over! When scheduling in-person driver’s ed, ensure you won’t have any conflicts that might require you to miss class.

Tests might feel higher-stress

We know in-person tests (like your road test) can be a nerve-wracking experience! This goes the same for classroom driver’s ed, where your required knowledge checks and final exam may feel a little scarier because they are at a desk and in person, as opposed to in the comfort of your home. Don’t worry, though! As long as you put in the proper study time and show up to class alert and prepared, any in-class tests should not prove to be insurmountable.

The Choice Is Yours!

Coastline knows that anything from your schedule to your preferred learning style will inform and influence your decision when it comes to choosing the format of your driver’s education. In truth, there is no “better” option between online and in-person driver’s ed in Austin, which is why Coastline offers high-quality courses to our Austin students in both formats! No matter your choice of online or in-person, Coastline’s driver’s education program will prepare you both for your Texas Driving Knowledge Test and to be a safe and confident driver for life!