# Wanting to take a pro-driving course **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 28, 2009, 6:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wanting-to-take-a-pro-driving-course/41388 "2009-12-28T06:08:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jeffmw05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jeffmw05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeffmw05)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 6:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wanting-to-take-a-pro-driving-course/41388/1 "2009-12-28T06:08:27Z")
Hey guys, I am looking to take a pro-driving class at some point in the not too distant future, I want to learn how to handle skids, corners, etc. Do you guys know about how much is par for the cost of these courses? Will my insurance premium drop (i’m a 23 year old male, still on dad’s policy) upon completion of something like this, or is it a waste of time to even ask the ins. co. ? ---
**Author:** ![Jeffmw05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jeffmw05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeffmw05)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 6:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wanting-to-take-a-pro-driving-course/41388/2 "2009-12-28T06:18:49Z")
Oh yea, these guys seem to be in my price range: [http://www.skidschool.us/index.php](http://www.skidschool.us/index.php) ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 7:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wanting-to-take-a-pro-driving-course/41388/3 "2009-12-28T07:22:04Z")
You need to ask your insurance carrier if your rates will drop. Regardless of the answer, I think it would be time well spent. ---
**Author:** ![doubleclutch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/doubleclutch/32/1281_2.png) [@doubleclutch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/doubleclutch)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 1:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wanting-to-take-a-pro-driving-course/41388/4 "2009-12-28T13:45:11Z")
I don’t know about performance driving schools, but I took a 6 month (480 hours) tractor-trailer driving course and it helped my driving skills immensely! The basics of skid control can be learned in a snowy parking lot at 3:00 AM. I think what really helps in real world driving is a course that teaches good defensive driving, space management, backing, effective mirror use, and being aware of what is around you. Like most people, I thought I was the best driver ever to grace the roads. Going to a trucking school that teaches real professional driving skills opened my eyes to a lot of things. The course that I took included a defensive driving course, for which some insurance companies will give you a reduced rate. Call your insurance company and see what they recommend in this area. Insurance companies know what (statistically) causes most accidents, and the skills that I mentioned above are probably more pertinent on public roads than being a skid control expert. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wanting-to-take-a-pro-driving-course/41388/5 "2009-12-28T17:02:23Z")
Any additional education will be a benefit, insurance reduction or not. Take the course. Or find a Skip Barber, Bob Bondurant, Be Petty or other performance school. Or take a course to get a C.D.L. classification in school bus, semi, or limo driving. As noted by d.c., learning something else in detail always helps everything else. My airplane pilot school made a massive difference in my automotive operator skills as well. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wanting-to-take-a-pro-driving-course/41388/6 "2009-12-28T21:28:02Z")
It will be beneficial for your own driving skills, but may not do much for your insurance. When you first start driving, the companies will give you a break if you have attended a good driving school. I would never admit to any insurance company to having attended a PERFORMANCE driving school. They may RAISE you premiums. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wanting-to-take-a-pro-driving-course/41388/7 "2009-12-28T21:43:06Z")
I also went to truck driving school, but I went full time and took it in two weeks. Another class I took that made me a better driver was the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic Rider Course. Of course I can’t recommend either of these classes if your only goal is to become a better car driver. In terms of fun though, the MSF BRC was a lot more fun.