New York Driving School Information

People enroll in a New York driving school primarily to learn about how to drive safely and defensively on the road. These courses are often designed for people with little or no practical driving experience, or for those who have committed a minor traffic violation and are mandated by the court to enroll in a program. Sometimes people opt to take a driving school class to earn a lower auto insurance premium.

Types of Courses

New York features several different types of driving school courses. Typically, they feature one or both of two different components, a theoretical section based in the classroom and a practical component that is centered on actual driving habits and takes place in the car. Standard driving school courses offer both, while online and other types of courses offer only the first of these two.

The purpose of having both of these components is to provide you with a framework for the rules of the road in New York State. It gives you a chance to develop your driving skills and to put those theories into practice, by giving you time on the road under the observation of a trained instructor and with other students in the course.

Requirements for Registering

All driving schools have slightly different requirements, but the following guidelines should be kept in mind for any school.

• Arrive on time. You will need to show up on time for class. If you are going to a brick and mortar building for school and you are five minutes late they will not allow you to attend the court ordered traffic school but will not refund your money.
• Have your paperwork. You will need some paper work to attend a court ordered traffic school. This paper work includes your ticket or citation, your driver's license and your money order for the class. New York traffic schools do not accept credit cards or cash.
• Commit the time. The minimum time requirement for New York traffic school is six hours. Be prepared to spend the day in class.

If your school requires that you drive for a portion of the class, you'll need to have a valid learner's permit or a valid driver's license from the United States. You may also need to be able to provide your own vehicle, including title, registration and proof of auto insurance. These documents are available from your local DMV branch office and from the insurance provider. All courses of this type are set up to charge a fee for registration. The fee varies according to the class and the schedule, and it may also depend somewhat upon your driving history.

If you have a New York court order to attend a traffic school there are a few course requirements and paper work that you need to take with you. New York traffic schools do not have an exam therefore you will not need to worry about that.

Finding Approved New York Defensive Driving Course Locations

You need to know how to locate and enroll in driving courses that are approved and recognized by state courts as well as the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Determine the Type of Course You Need

First, you need to determine the type of driving course you need to take. In New York, approved driver's training schools usually provide three different kinds of course: basic driver's education courses for young drivers or first time driver's license applicants, defensive driving courses and advanced driving courses for chauffeurs or professional drivers.

If you want to enroll in a course that will help you save money on your car insurance payments, check with your insurance company and find out what kind of courses are acceptable for discounts. If you have been ordered by a judge to enroll in a driver's training course, the clerk of court should instruct you on the type of course you will be required to take.

Finally, if you're a teenage driver applying for your first driver's license, you will probably need to enroll in a basic driver's education course. Regardless, always make sure you're absolutely sure of the type of driving course you need to take before enrolling in a school.

Find Approved Course in Your City

In order to find state approved driver's training courses and schools, visit the nearest branch of your DMV and request a list of approved driver's training courses and schools. Alternatively, your insurance company may be able to provide you with a list of state approved schools as well.

The Unofficial DMV Guide is another excellent source for finding courses and schools that are approved by the state of New York and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Visit their website and click on the driver's education link. Then, simply click the New York link and begin your search for schools in your area. Try to locate at least three or four different schools in your vicinity.

Compare Courses and Rates

Contact the schools you have located in your area and inquire about the courses they offer, times and dates of scheduled classes as well as the school's rates for courses. Choose the school that offers the type of class you need and also offers a class at a time that is convenient for you. If several schools meet your criteria, choose the school with the lowest price—as long as the school is approved by the state.

Sign Up for and Complete a Course

Enroll in your chosen school and pay the tuition cost for the course. Then, make sure to do your best and study hard so that you can successfully complete the drivers training course.

Get a Certificate of Completion

After you finish the course, the school should provide you with a certificate of completion. Use the certificate of completion for your desired purpose.