8-Hour Safe Driving Course in CT
The easiest road to a license. Only $149.
At The Next Street, we make completing CT’s 8-Hour Safe Driving Practices Class fun and easy.
(Also called the Drug & Alcohol Safety Course). Classes are 100% live on Zoom, meet DMV requirements, and are on your own schedule.
- Teen Classes offered in two 4-hour days or four 2-hour days
- Adult Classes also offered in one 8-hour day for 18+ only.
- You'll receive an official completion certificate (CT e-DEC) within one day of course completion.
- Live on Zoom
- New Classes Starting Daily
- Meets All DMV Requirements
★★★★★
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This course fulfills Connecticut’s minimum driver education requirement, also known as the Drug & Alcohol Safety Course. All classes are taught live on Zoom by certified instructors who want you to succeed. With a flexible schedule that makes it easy to fit driver’s ed into your life, students can join from anywhere in Connecticut and don’t need a learner’s permit before taking the course.
Required for both teens and adults, choose the option that works best for you: two 4-hour days or four 2-hour days, both open to any age. Adults 18+ can also complete the course in a single 8-hour day.
Ready to go beyond the classroom? Add driving lessons or a road test at any of our 60+ Connecticut locations and finish your whole license journey with one team. Plus, when you take the 8 Hour Safe Driving Class from us, we offer discounts on lessons and testing.
Why Connecticut families choose us
60+ Locations, 17 Years, 20,000 New Drivers a Year
60+ Convenient Locations
17+ Years in Business
20K+ New Drivers Every Year
90% Driving Tests Pass Rate
Bundle & Save: More Miles, Less Money
Don’t take your class at another driving school and expect to come to us for lessons and tests only! Our 8 Hour Class students get first priority for lessons and tests over students that choose low cost providers for the 8 hour. This is because we know our class curriculum is the best and helps set our students up to be successful behind the wheel. Pair your 8-hour safe driving course with driving lessons or license testing, and move through your entire driver education experience at your own pace.
Our 8 Hour Students pay less for lessons and tests than students that transfer from other schools. Make sure you understand the full picture before you enroll anywhere else!
Our Students |
Transfer Students |
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Driving lessons at TNS |
$100/hour |
$125/hour |
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License road test at TNS |
$150 |
$200 |
8-Hour Safe Driving Practices Course Details
Every new driver in Connecticut has to complete driver’s education before getting a license. And our 8-hour safe driving course is the fastest way to check that requirement off your list.
- Price: $149
- Format: Live via Zoom
- Age: 16+ (You can sign up before your 16th birthday, but must be 16 by the time the class starts)
- Total hours: 8
- Classes are hosted nearly every day, with different schedule options:
- Two 4-hour days
- Four 2-hour days
- One 8-hour day (18+ only)
- Payment plans available
- You’ll receive an official completion certificate after course completion
Curious how this fits into the bigger picture?
This course material will help prepare you for your written learner’s permit test, so you can get behind the wheel. Once you have your permit, there is a mandatory waiting period of 180 days for teens and or 90 days for adults (18+) from the day your permit was issued. Use this time to practice driving out on the road.
If you’re a teen driver (16-17 years old), you also need 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent, qualified trainer, or professional instructor before you’re eligible for the road test.
Driving lessons aren’t included in this course, but you can add them anytime for an additional fee, or bundle them in at a discounted rate. Any driving lessons you take with The Next Street count toward that 40-hour total.
8 & 8 Bundle
Combine your required 8-hour classroom course with 8 hours of behind-the-wheel driving lessons at a discounted rate. This bundle includes four 2-hour lessons covering the fundamentals, parking and driving maneuvers, traffic laws, road safety, different road types, and highway driving. This upgrade helps you build real driving skills right alongside your classroom hours and prepares you to pass your driving test.
Reserve your spot today!
Easy as 1-2-3 Bundle (Ages 16-21)
For a streamlined path to your license, our Easy as 1-2-3 Bundle combines:
- The 8-hour driving course online, taught live through Zoom
- One 2-hour private driving lesson
- Your road test at one of our 60+ locations, using a TNS vehicle
An adult version is available for ages 22 and up, with additional requirements.
View our course schedules and enroll today.
What the Course Covers
Also known as Connecticut’s 8-Hour Safe Driving Practices Class, or drug and alcohol classes, this online course fulfills Connecticut’s classroom education requirement to get a driver’s license (Teens will also need to complete 40 hours of supervised driving separately). All you need is a device with a working camera and microphone that you can use to join the class.
Per Connecticut’s requirements, this class covers:
- Safe driving habits
- Decision making and risk awareness
- Traffic controls
- Mental health and road rage
- How alcohol and drugs affect someone physically and mentally behind the wheel
- The real dangers of driving under the influence
- The penalties tied to alcohol- and drug-related driving violations
We also include the required parent course for the parents of drivers ages 16 and 17, and the “Knowing Your Vehicle” module for adult (18+) drivers. With The Next Street, you get all the education components done without issue.
Success in this course isn’t about passing one big test. It’s built from short quizzes throughout the class, plus staying engaged and present (this is why your device has to have a working mic and camera). To earn your completion certificate, you’ll need to score 70% or higher on all classroom quizzes. Our instructors are there to help you understand the material as you go, so nothing catches you off guard.
Interested in our full driver education program? Form a foundation of safe driving skills with 30 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of driving lessons from any of our 60+ locations. Ready to take your license test? Skip the lines at the crowded DMV and take your road test at The Next Street. We handle all the paperwork, so you can focus on passing your test.
Once you’ve completed all classroom sessions, passed your quizzes, signed your attendance forms, and provided your learner’s permit information, we’ll issue your digital completion certificate (e-DEC) in your student portal!
We care about you, and our dedicated Customer Support is here to help you every step of the way. If you scheduled your road test with us, once you have successfully completed this course, The Next Street submits your e-DEC completion certificate straight to the DMV, so you don’t have to! No extra paperwork, no DMV waiting rooms, no standing in line. We handle it, so you can focus on preparing for your license road test.
Interested in our full driver education program? Form a foundation of safe driving skills with 30 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of driving lessons from any of our 60+ locations. Ready to take your license test? Skip the lines at the crowded DMV and take your road test at The Next Street. We handle all the paperwork, so you can focus on passing your test.
Connecticut Upcoming Course Schedule
We offer the widest range of class times, with new classes starting nearly every day. Our flexible scheduling allows you to build your own schedule and complete your driving course at your own pace.
Start your enrollment now to view upcoming schedules and offerings available.
Classes That Fit Your Schedule
Below is a summary of our upcoming class availability. Full classroom schedule details are available during the Online Enrollment process.
Behind-the-Wheel Instruction
Driving lesson schedules displayed here do not guarantee availability after enrollment, as students book in real time. We add new lesson inventory every week.
Current students can see live schedule availability and book lessons by logging in to the Student Portal.
Convenient Locations to Take Your Road Test
We offer license test appointments at our convenient locations across Connecticut. Tests run every 15 minutes between 8 am and 1 pm. The schedules listed below are not a guarantee of availability. Sign up and log in to the Student Portal to see live availability and book your license test appointment.
Start the process now!
The Road to Success with The Next Street
Our team is dedicated to delivering an engaging, effective program. We take pride in helping students become safe drivers and successfully get on the road to pass their license exam.
Whether you’re in the classroom or behind the wheel, our professional instructors help you learn in a judgment-free environment, teaching you the skills and knowledge to hit the road with confidence.
Getting your license shouldn’t feel complicated. Enroll today and let The Next Street handle the rest.
8-Hour Safe Driving Course FAQs
Is the 8-hour driving course the same as a defensive driving course online?
Is the 8-hour driving course the same as a defensive driving course in CT? No. This 8-hour course is Connecticut’s state-required driver education class, also called the Safe Driving Practices Class or the Drug & Alcohol Safety Course, and it’s mandatory for a Connecticut driver’s license. Defensive driving courses are separate, optional classes some drivers take for insurance discounts or after a ticket. Check with your insurance provider to see which type of course, or both, applies to your situation.”
Is this the same as CT's 8-Hour Safe Driving Practices Class?
Yes. The 8-Hour Safe Driving Practices Class is the official name the Connecticut DMV uses for this course. It’s the same requirement as the Drug & Alcohol Safety Course and the 8-hour safe driving course, just under different names you might see used interchangeably.
How do I get my completion certificate?
Once you finish the course, The Next Street submits your e-DEC completion certificate directly to the DMV. No extra paperwork on your end! We handle everything.
Is there a final exam for the 8-hour driving course?
No, completion is based on attending all required class hours, not a graded final exam. Students attend the 8-hour driving course online through Zoom, with cameras on. Attendance is recorded multiple times during each class, and students must participate by responding to questions, engaging in group activities, and completing in-class quizzes.
Does this course qualify for insurance discounts?
Check with your insurance company. Some insurance providers offer discounts for completing driver education courses.
Does this fulfill Connecticut’s Drug & Alcohol Safety Class requirements?
Yes this is Connecticut’s required driver education course, also known as the Drug & Alcohol Safety Course.
Is there a free 8-hour safe driving course in CT?
There’s no free option that fulfills Connecticut’s DMV requirement. The course must be completed through a state-licensed provider like The Next Street, and the fee covers live instruction, DMV certificate filing, and student support. At $149, our course is a flat rate with no hidden fees, and payment plans are available.
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