Question: My parents will not let me drive until I enroll in a defensive driving school in California, can you help me find one that doesn’t cost too much?

Answer: Your parents are making a good choice by having you attend a defensive driving school in California before allowing you to drive. This probably isn’t the information you wanted to hear, but they have your safety and the safety of other motorists in mind. Finding a defensive driving school shouldn’t be too hard. We do not endorse any specific companies, but here are a few guidelines to finding a respectable one:

• Find out how long they have been in business.
• Call the Better Business Bureau and see if they have any complaints filed against them.
• Call your insurance company and ask if they will give a discount for taking a defensive driving class. If they offer one ask if they have recommendations as to what class you should take.
• Call local drivers education companies. Ask if they also offer defensive driving classes.
• Look in the Yellow Pages, but don’t just choose a company at random. Call and ask questions.

Before you decide on a defensive driving school in California make sure you find out what is offered in the class, how long the class is, how much time is spent behind the wheel of a car versus in the classroom, and how much it costs. This can be a great opportunity to prove to your parents you are responsible enough to drive by coming up with some of the money for the course by yourself.