What can the AARP Smart Driver™ Online Course teach you?

Here’s what you can learn from our award-winning defensive driving course. Plus, find out what makes taking the course so worth it – from bonus safe driving resources to potential savings on your auto insurance.*

Course Description

Course Length

The AARP Smart Driver™ online course is 4, 6, or 8 hours total (depending on your state's regulations) and can be taken at your own pace, whenever it works best for you. You'll have 60 days (30 days in CT and NY) to complete the course once you register.

Learning Format

This course is designed for real-life drivers, with an experience that’s:

Interactive – Videos, quizzes, and scenario-based activities keep learning engaging
Flexible – Pick up right where you left off, anytime within your 60-day window (30 days in CT and NYNew York Defensive Driving Course)
Practical – Simple tips and proven strategies you can use immediately on the road

Explore the Smart Driver Course Curriculum

The course is divided into six units, which you can tackle online at your own pace.

Why Are We Here?

Start your engines. The online course begins with a brief quiz to test your current driving knowledge. Once we establish your baseline knowledge level, it’s time to learn about national crash statistics and how refreshing your driving skills could help you reduce your risk of a collision.

What’s Changing?

What Practices Make Us Safer?

Safer driving starts before we even hit the road. Next, you’ll discover tips to help you plan and prepare for every drive – whether you’re commuting or road tripping! Learn about vehicle checks and ways to adjust the safety features in your car. Plus, get a refresher on roadway fundamentals and important safe driving skills.

What Strategies Apply?

What About The Future?

Let's talk about staying independent and mobile in your golden years! You’ll learn about challenges for older drivers and how to assess your driving skills or those of someone you love. Next, learn about travel options beyond driving, from ridesharing apps to paratransit, public transportation and more.

What Have We Learned?

Success! You’ve done your learning, so consider this unit your victory lap. Review key lessons, strategies, and rules of the road – then, you’ll take an ungraded quiz to see how your safe driving skills have improved since Unit One. Finally, you’ll learn about other safe driving resources that can help you on the road ahead.

More valuable takeaways from the course

Participants get exclusive safe driving resources
Who doesn’t love extra perks? When you register for the online course, you get access to the following bonus guides:

Medical Action Sheet

Keep others aware of your medical history in case of a crash.

Vehicle Maintenance Tip Sheet

Learn how to check up on important safety features in your car.

Crash Reporting Guide

Find out what to do in a collision with state-specific advice.

How to Communicate with Loved Ones

Get tips to help you tactfully discuss your driving concerns.

You could also qualify for a discount on auto insurance*

In fact, 91% of participants surveyed redeemed their AARP Smart Driver course certificate for a discount on their auto insurance!‡

FAQs

Is this online version of the AARP Smart Driver course narrated or just text?

The online version of the AARP Smart Driver course is professionally narrated. The course contains both videos and graphic illustrations of the concepts being taught.

Quizzes and Exams: Will those be recorded and graded? Can I fail the course?

While there are a number of quizzes contained in the course, they are not graded and will not prevent you from moving forward through the course. However, the quiz results are recorded and shown to you to ensure you are progressing and learning the material presented in the course. The main purpose of these quizzes is to help you feel comfortable understanding the information being presented.

There will also be an ungraded exam at the end of the course, which will also be recorded and summarized for you. Again, the purpose of the exam is to help you feel comfortable with the material.

Please note that Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York have different state requirements and include mandatory quizzes or exams that must be passed in order to successfully complete the course. You can visit our FAQ pageFaq to view the specific requirements for your state.

AARP Smart Driver™ Online Course

Refresh your driving skills to help you become a safer, more confident driver.

*Upon completion, you may be eligible to receive an auto insurance discount. Other restrictions may apply. Consult your agent for details.
‡ Data derived from online course participants. AARP Research. 2023 AARP Driver Safety Smart Driver™ Course Evaluation. July 2023.