The effectiveness of home-study driver education compared to classroom instruction: the impact on student knowledge and attitudes

PROBLEM: Home-study driver education programs exist in several states, but none have been scientifically evaluated to determine if such courses are as effective as classroom courses for teaching driver education. METHOD: Over 1,300 students were randomly assigned to classroom instruction, or CD ROM, workbook, or Internet/workbook home-study courses and compared on proctored exit examination knowledge and attitude scores, and written knowledge test outcomes. RESULTS: Few differences were found on exit examination knowledge and attitude scores, but they tended to favor the CD and Internet/workbook home-study courses over the classroom or workbook courses. Differences favoring the classroom on written knowledge test outcomes likely reflect a bias in classroom courses toward teaching test-specific material. DISCUSSION: The findings present no compelling evidence that home-study courses are less effective than classroom courses for teaching driver education. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The findings could result in more widespread use of home-study courses. Also, the use of low-cost home-study courses as the first course of a two-stage driver education and training system could make integrating such programs with graduated driver licensing more feasible and acceptable to the public.