Colorado Drivers Ed Courses: Best Online Programs
Driver’s Education - How Does It Work In Colorado?
Colorado has multiple requirements that must be satisfied before a new driver can obtain a permit or license. The state allows online and in-person driver education courses to satisfy those requirements. New drivers are also required to complete 30 hours of training and log 50 hours of driving time, so the requirements are quite intense.
Colorado Driver Education Online Courses:- Which Is Best For You?
In addition to the major online driving schools that are accepted in other states, many companies in Colorado offer online versions of their courses. The state keeps a comprehensive list of local companies here.
Online courses offered by most of these companies consist of videos, cartoons, and graphics that help to explain concepts such as how to react around a school bus and how to parallel park. Although the rules and instruction goals are the same, each company has created its own online course. Some are much better than others. But how can you tell which is best?
Car Talk searched the available reviews and found that some rise to the top of the heap. Here are the best driver’s education programs, according to the ratings:
- FirstTimeDriver.com offers courses completely online that start at just $39. They can be started as soon as registration is completed and access 24/7 until completed.
- iDriveSafely.com is another large company with a reputation for being professional and widely accessible for all users. Its pricing starts at $49.50 and includes 24/7 access with courses fully online.
- DriversEd.com is one of the pioneers of this industry and has maintained its Colorado course over time. Reviewers liked that this company allows you to try their program out at no cost. Pries start at $49.50.
- DriveSafeColorado.com is priced at $89, but can range up to nearly $900 if the in-person training options are chosen.The company offers defensive driving courses and insurance discounts as well.
- SafeMotorist.com offers an affordable course to satisfy the 30-hour requirement that starts at $29.95.
When can you apply for a driver’s permit in Colorado?
Colorado’s learner permit can be obtained starting at age 15, and has several requirements that must be met. The new driver must have completed 30 hours of driver education before the permit can be applied for, and afterward the driver must complete an additional 50 hours of driving time. If the new driver is under 16 years and six months old when they reach the point of applying for a full driver license, they must complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training.
These requirements relax slightly if the person applying for the permit is slightly older when the process starts. Someone who is at least 15 and six months of age only has to complete a four-hour classroom program OR the 30 hours before applying. At age 16, the rules relax further and there are no prerequisites to applying for a permit.
Colorado, like other states, has a graduated license program, which has quite a few initial restrictions. During the first year of licensed driving, the driver may not travel between midnight and 5am, but the state says that may be even stricter in certain locations. For the first six months of licensed driving, only passengers 21 and over may travel with the new driver. For the second six months, one passenger may ride. Exceptions apply for siblings, family members, and for passengers with medical emergencies.
Similar to other states, Colorado bans all use of mobile devices while driving, has a strict “click it or ticket” law, and has zero tolerance for drunk and impaired driving.
Read more on Car Talk's top picks for the Best Online Drivers Education Courses here.
Car Talk's Recommendations for Best Online Drivers Ed Courses
IMPROVLearning is a great program geared towards keeping the student engaged in the materials. Classes are a mixture of text, audio and video and hold the attention of the user using comedy whenever possible. The site is user-friendly and engaging.
Safe2Drive is a highly rated program featuring nationwide course offerings. The company maintains excellent reviews and ratings and is known for very responsive, 24 hour customer service.
Aceable is not only an excellent program in terms of content, it is incredibly user-friendly and engaging. Classes are available on any device, have accessible audio and video and manage to make the subject matter interesting and fun. The site itself is easy to use and intuitive.
This solid program is less flashy than others in the industry, but is a good choice in terms of content. The site is easy to use and self explanatory. The program tracks your progress and helps you along with prompt questions throughout.
This program is filled with all the information you need to pass the tests. The site is a little slow and simple compared to others in the industry. This content is timed, and users are expected to get through the material at a set pace. An audio option is available for a price.
This program is the basic offering in terms of frills. IDriveSafely has all the information you need, and no extras or distractions. The user-experience is very basic, but the content is complete.
