Close-up view of hands on the steering wheel and dashboard of a car.

AAA driving courses for every driver

Do you know someone learning to drive?

This year, give the gift of safe driving. Contact us to learn how.

 800.836.2582

5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

A smiling 5-Hour Pre-Licensing course graduate holding her MV-278 certificate and ready for her NYS road test.

Earn your certificate. Step closer to your license.

  • DMV-Required Course: Mandatory 5-hour class for New York State learner's permit holders before scheduling a State Road Test.
  • MV-278 Certificate: Earn the official completion certificate required by the NYS DMV to book your road test appointment.
  • In-Person or Live Online: Take the class in person at our Amherst or Penfield branch, or join a live, instructor-led course online via Zoom — open to all ages.
  • Essential Driving Knowledge: Master critical safe-driving principles, defensive tactics, traffic laws, and highway rules of the road.
  • Road Test Preparation: Gain confidence, understand common driving hazards, and learn key driver habits needed to pass your test.

Licensed to Learn (LTL) Program

Both formats include the same 10 one-on-one, in-person driving lessons and road test with a state-licensed AAA instructor — the only difference is how you complete your classroom instruction.

Students engaged in an interactive AAA Licensed to Learn classroom session.

LTL Classroom Format

  • In-Person Theory: Complete your driver education instruction and 5-hour pre-licensing course in person at our Amherst branch, Penfield branch, or via Virtual class.
  • Hands-On Driving: Includes 10 one-on-one behind-the-wheel driving lessons, plus your road test, with a state-licensed AAA instructor.
  • Full Program Value: 25 hours of instruction, your MV-278 certificate, and a FREE 1-year AAA Basic® Membership.
Teen driver studying the AAA Licensed to Learn online course at home.

LTL Online Format

  • Flexible Online Learning: Complete your 20 hours of driver education instruction online, at your own pace.
  • Hands-On Driving: Includes the same 10 one-on-one behind-the-wheel driving lessons, plus your road test, with a state-licensed AAA instructor.
  • Full Program Value: 25 hours of instruction, your MV-278 certificate, and a FREE 1-year AAA Basic® Membership.

Defensive Driving Course

Driver learning defensive driving strategies in an AAA classroom.

Sharpen your skills. Save on insurance.

  • Insurance & Point Discount: Qualify for up to 10% off portions of your auto insurance for 3 years, and reduce up to 4 points off your license for a moving violation within the last 18 months.
  • Open to Everyone: Available to AAA members and non-members alike, with no age restrictions.
  • Flexible Formats: Choose a self-paced online course (completed within 30 days) or an instructor-led classroom course at locations across the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse areas.
  • NYS DMV Approved: Meets all New York State Department of Motor Vehicles requirements for insurance and point reduction.
  • Build Safer Habits: Learn defensive driving techniques covering visibility, time and space management, passenger safety, and how to handle emergencies.
Award ribbon icon representing years of experience.

90+

Years of experience

Checkmark icon representing student satisfaction rate.

92%

Student Satisfaction

Instructors icon representing highly experienced staff members.

110+

Highly Experienced Instructors

Graduation cap icon representing students taught per year.

25,000+

Students taught per year

Testimonials


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