Getting your drivers license comes with one unavoidable reality: car insurance isn't cheap—especially if you're a teen or first-time driver in California. But there’s a proven way to lower your premium before you ever hit the road: drivers ed.
Why Insurance Companies Offer Discounts for Drivers Ed
Insurance providers are in the business of calculating risk. First-time drivers without formal training are statistically more likely to get into accidents, which means more claims. When you complete a California DMV-approved drivers education course, you're showing your insurer that you’ve taken active steps to reduce that risk.
A drivers ed certificate signals that you:
Understand the rules of the road before driving solo
Have been taught safe habits and how to avoid dangerous situations
Are more likely to drive defensively and avoid high-risk behaviors
All of this makes you a lower-risk customer—so insurance companies are willing to reward that responsibility with a lower rate.
How Much Can You Actually Save?
While the exact discount varies by insurer, most California drivers can save between 5% and 20% just by completing drivers ed. For families insuring a teen driver, that can translate to hundreds of dollars off your premium every year.
Some insurance companies even offer additional discounts for things like good grades or bundling policies—so when combined with a drivers ed certificate, those savings can really add up.
How to Make Sure You Get the Discount
It’s not automatic. To qualify, you’ll need to:
Complete a California DMV-approved drivers ed course
Obtain a certificate of completion
Submit that certificate to your insurance provider
Most online programs, like ours, make it easy to download or print your certificate, and many insurers accept digital copies.
Make sure to ask your provider directly what discounts they offer for new drivers who complete drivers ed—it may even influence which insurance company you choose.
The Bottom Line: Drivers Ed Isn’t Just Educational—It’s Financially Smart
Yes, California requires drivers ed for most teens—but that doesn’t mean it’s just a checkbox. Taking drivers ed is one of the few ways a new driver can proactively reduce their insurance rates before getting behind the wheel.
So if you’re about to start driving in California, don’t just look at drivers ed as a requirement. Look at it as a smart move to keep more money in your wallet every month.
