You can take driver's education after getting your license, but the reason matters
Yes, you can take a driver's education course after you already have your license. Whether it makes sense depends on why you want to take it. If your state or insurance company requires it, you'll need to find a course that meets their specific rules. If you're taking it voluntarily to improve your skills or lower your insurance rate, you have more flexibility in choosing when and where.
The main thing to understand is that a driver's education course taken after licensure won't change your license status or give you a new license. It's purely educational and may come with benefits like an insurance discount, but it doesn't reset your driving record or remove violations.
Key Takeaways
- You can take driver's education after you have your license, but it won't change your license or driving record.
- Some insurance companies offer discounts if you complete a defensive driving course, which is a form of driver's education for licensed drivers.
- Court-ordered driver's education (usually after a traffic violation) has specific requirements about which courses count and when you must finish.
- Online driver's education courses for licensed drivers are available in most states, though some states restrict certain types of online instruction.
- Taking a course voluntarily shows your insurance company you're serious about safety, which can help when your policy renews.
Defensive driving courses and insurance discounts
The most common reason licensed drivers take driver's education is to get an insurance discount. These courses are usually called defensive driving courses or driver improvement courses, and they teach accident prevention and safe driving habits. Insurance companies in most states offer a discount — typically 5 to 10 percent — if you complete one of these courses.
You can take a defensive driving course online or in person, depending on what your insurance company accepts. Some insurers require the course to be state-approved or taught by a specific organization, so check with your insurance agent before signing up. The course usually takes four to eight hours to complete, and you'll get a certificate of completion that you send to your insurance company.
The discount typically lasts three to five years, after which you can take another course to renew it. This is purely voluntary — your insurance company cannot require you to take a course to keep your policy, but they can offer you a lower rate if you do.
Court-ordered driver's education after a violation
If you received a traffic ticket or were cited for a moving violation, a court may order you to complete driver's education as a condition of keeping your license or reducing the violation on your record. This is different from a voluntary course — you have a important date to finish, and you must complete a course that meets your state's requirements.
The court will tell you which types of courses count. Some states accept only in-person courses taught by approved instructors, while others allow online courses. You'll need to find a provider in your state that is approved for court-ordered instruction, complete the course by the important date, and submit proof of completion to the court or your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.
Finishing a court-ordered course on time can prevent your license from being suspended and may reduce points on your driving record. If you miss the important date, you risk losing your license, so mark the date clearly and register for a course well before it's due.
Online versus in-person driver's education for licensed drivers
Licensed drivers have more options than new drivers in how they take driver's education. Most states allow online defensive driving courses for people who already have a license, though the rules vary by state and by what the course is for.
If you're taking a course for an insurance discount, ask your insurance company which providers they accept — many have a list of approved online courses. If you're taking a court-ordered course, your state's DMV website will list which providers are approved for that purpose. Some states require at least part of the course to be taught by a live instructor, so read the requirements carefully before you register.
Online courses are usually cheaper and faster than in-person classes, but they do require you to complete all the material and pass a test. You cannot skip sections or have someone else take the course for you.
What happens to your license and driving record
Taking driver's education after you have your license does not change your license itself. You won't get a new license, your license won't be renewed early, and your license type won't change. Your existing license remains valid and unchanged.
If you're taking the course voluntarily for an insurance discount, it also won't affect your driving record. Your record stays the same, but your insurance company will note that you completed the course and may lower your rate at renewal time.
If you're taking a court-ordered course, completing it on time can prevent your license from being suspended and may result in the violation being reduced or removed from your record — but that depends on what the court ordered. Read the court order carefully to understand what completing the course will and won't do for you.
How to find and register for a course
If you want to take a defensive driving course for an insurance discount, start by calling your insurance company or visiting their website. They'll tell you which courses they accept, how much the discount is, and how long it lasts. Many insurers have a list of approved providers you can choose from.
If you need a court-ordered course, go to your state's DMV website and search for "approved driver improvement courses" or "court-ordered driver education." The DMV will have a list of providers in your area. Register with one of them, complete the course by your important date, and request that they send proof of completion to the court or DMV.
Before you register, confirm that the provider is approved for what you need it for — an insurance discount course is different from a court-ordered course, and not all providers offer both. You should also check whether the course is available in your state, since some online providers don't operate everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will taking driver's education after I get my license help me pass a road test?
No — you already have your license, so you won't take another road test. Driver's education for licensed drivers is about improving your skills and safety habits, not about testing for a license. If you want to practice specific driving skills, a professional driving instructor or a defensive driving course can help, but neither will result in a new test.
Can I take driver's education to remove a ticket from my record?
Only if a court orders you to as part of the ticket resolution. If you took a defensive driving course on your own, it won't remove or reduce a ticket. If the court gave you the option to take a course instead of paying a fine or accepting points, you'll need to follow the court's specific instructions about which course to take and when to finish it.
How much does a driver's education course cost after you have your license?
Costs vary widely depending on whether the course is online or in person and which provider you choose. Defensive driving courses typically range from $20 to $100, with online courses usually cheaper than in-person classes. Court-ordered courses may cost more. Check with your insurance company or local DMV for approved providers in your area and their prices.
Do I have to tell the DMV if I take driver's education?
Not unless it's court-ordered. If a court ordered you to take a course, the provider will send proof of completion to the court or DMV automatically. If you're taking a course for an insurance discount, you only need to tell your insurance company — the DMV doesn't need to know.
Can I take driver's education online if I already have my license?
In most states, yes, but it depends on what the course is for. Defensive driving courses for insurance discounts are usually available online. Court-ordered courses may have restrictions — some states require at least part of the instruction to be in person. Check your state's DMV website or ask the court what types of courses are approved before you register.