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The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. SHARE: Phynart Studio/Getty Images January 20, 2021 Elizabeth Rivelli is a contributing insurance writer for Bankrate and has years of experience writing for insurance domains such as The Simple Dollar, Coverage.com and NextAdvisor, among others Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money. Our content is backed by LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our insurance team is composed of agents, data analysts, and customers like you. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you. We guide you throughout your search and help you understand your coverage options. We provide up-to-date, reliable market information to help you make confident decisions. We reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible. All providers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide. And we constantly review our criteria to ensure we’re putting accuracy first. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Bankrate logo Insurance Disclosure
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. Getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage for many teenagers. To prepare for the on-road test, most student drivers are required to complete a driver’s education course and practice on-road skills with a licensed instructor. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, some in-person driver’s education programs and on-road tests have been put on hold. COVID-19 has changed the process for completing a driver’s education program and obtaining a driver’s license at the DMV. With social distancing regulations and business shutdowns, teen drivers and their parents are now learning how to navigate the new system. Fortunately, state governments and driver’s ed businesses are finding ways for drivers to get their license safely. How COVID-19 is impacting driver s licenses and new driver education
In a traditional driver’s education program, the student and the instructor sit in the vehicle together for several hours, but that is no longer happening in many cases. As an alternative, some driving schools are now offering virtual programs to limit physical contact. Drivers should also be aware that most state DMVs have COVID-19 restrictions. The new rules vary by location, but in most states, drivers must make an appointment for their on-road test. Certain states are using modified on-road tests, and in some places, the behind-the-wheel test is no longer required during the pandemic. The new changes are designed to keep everyone safe. However, these disruptions are causing financial strain for new drivers and driver’s ed businesses. Teens are eager to get their driver’s license, and driving schools are hoping to bring in revenue. Drivers should expect temporary changes to remain in place until the COVID-19 vaccine is widely distributed. What is the protocol for getting a license and driver s education in my state
Every state is following a different process for issuing driver’s licenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the current driver’s license protocols in all 50 states: State License requirements Alabama Some and others are providing services via phone; Drivers should check to see if their closest location is open and make an appointment. Alaska Drivers must for an on-road driver’s license test. Alaska is using a modified on-road test. Drivers take the test alone, and cameras are placed around the outside of the car to track the driver’s performance. A licensed driver over 21 must be in the vehicle during the test. Arizona Drivers must make an appointment for an on-road test. DMVs are only open for essential services. Arkansas Certain DMVs are open and by appointment only. California Certain DMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests. are extended six months from the expiration date. Colorado DMVs are open and by appointment only. Connecticut DMVs are open and by appointment only. Delaware DMVs are open and by appointment only. Florida DMVs are open for limited services and are by appointment only. Georgia DMVs are open and by appointment only. Hawaii DMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests by appointment only. During the on-road test, drivers must turn off the air conditioner and roll down all windows in the vehicle. Learner’s permits are extended six months from the expiration date. Idaho DMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests by appointment only. Drivers should visit their county’s DMV website to make an appointment. Illinois DMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests by appointment only. Indiana BMVs are open and by appointment only. Drivers must schedule an appointment at least 48 hours and a maximum of 3 weeks in advance. Iowa Driver’s education is being offered through virtual instruction only. Drivers can obtain their license at a DMV by making an appointment. Kansas DMVs are open and by appointment only. Kentucky Driver’s education is being offered through only. Most DMV locations are open and by appointment only. Louisiana Most OMV locations are open. Drivers can schedule an on-road test appointment or walk-in to an open location, . Maine Drivers must to the main BMV office at 29 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0029. The driver will receive a notification of their test appointment and location. Maryland MVAs are open and by appointment only. Massachusetts RMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests by appointment only. On-road tests are for the time being. In-person driver’s ed is available with limited capacity. Michigan DMVs are open and by appointment only in certain offices. Minnesota Driver’s ed programs are operating virtually and in-person with limited capacity. Driver’s can make an appointment at an authorized DMV office to . Mississippi On-road tests have been temporarily waived during COVID-19. The driver must have a driving log with at least 50 hours of behind the wheel training. Drivers are required to sign an in order to obtain their license. Missouri Certain DMVs are open and . Learner’s permits are extended six months from the expiration date. Montana DMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests. Nebraska DMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests. Nevada DMVs are open and . New Hampshire DMVs are open and . New Jersey DMVs are open and . New Mexico The DMV is currently not processing any on-road tests. Drivers are required to wait until on-road testing restarts to make an appointment. New York DMVs are open and by appointment only. Drivers are required to disinfect the passenger side of the vehicle with wipes provided by the DMV upon arrival. North Carolina On-road tests have been during COVID-19. The driver must have a driving log with at least 60 hours of behind the wheel driving, and at least 10 hours of nighttime driving. A supervising driver must sign the log when it is submitted. North Dakota DMVs are open and . Ohio DMVs are open and . Oklahoma DMVs are open and . Oregon Select DMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests. Drivers also have the option to take the on-road test through an . Pennsylvania Drivers can schedule an on-road test at a Driver License Center. Drivers also have the option to take the on-road test through a . The on-road tests are modified and currently take place in a controlled testing environment to limit exposure. Rhode Island The Cranston and Providence DMV locations are open for on-road testing, . Tests are taken on a closed course near the DMV. South Carolina DMVs are open and . South Dakota DMVs are open and . Tennessee DMVs are open and . Texas DMVs are open and by appointment only. Utah DMVs are open and by appointment only. Vermont Certain DMVs are open and by appointment only. Virginia Certain DMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests. Learner’s permits are extended six months from the expiration date. West Virginia DMVs are open and scheduling on-road tests by appointment only. Washington DMVs are open and by appointment only. Wisconsin On-road tests have been during COVID-19. Drivers must have at least 30 hours of driver’s education and 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed driver. Wyoming DMVs are open and by appointment only. How to save on new driver insurance premiums during COVID-19
In the United States, the is $1,738 per year. However, new drivers typically pay the highest insurance premiums because of their lack of experience. Other factors like state, gender, the amount of coverage and the policy’s deductible can impact a teen’s car insurance rate. When parents add a teen driver to their car insurance policy, their premium can increase by . But there are ways to get . Buying a safe vehicle, being a good student, paying the annual premium in full and taking a defensive driving course can help new drivers save money on insurance. Bottom line
New drivers are still able to get their license in most states, but the rules vary. Some states are waiving the on-road test to limit the spread of COVID-19. Drivers should contact their state’s DMV to make an on-road test appointment where available. Teen drivers pay high car insurance premiums, but there are ways to save money. SHARE: Elizabeth Rivelli is a contributing insurance writer for Bankrate and has years of experience writing for insurance domains such as The Simple Dollar, Coverage.com and NextAdvisor, among others Related Articles