Is Drivers Training Still Worth It in 2025?

Hey Alberta drivers—feeling the squeeze on your insurance bill? Premiums in Alberta are on the rise, averaging $1,763 in 2024. And with the "Good Driver" rate cap increasing to 7.5% in 2025, costs aren’t slowing down anytime soon. So, here’s the big question: can drivers’ training help lighten the load in 2025?

We at McDonalds Insurance dug into our quoting system for fresh 2025 data to get the scoop.

The Numbers Game: Does Drivers’ Training Save You Money?

We pulled quotes from McDonalds Insurance’s quoting system for two drivers—a male and a female, both driving a 2005 Honda Civic. We compared rates with and without drivers’ training across four major insurers. Here’s the highlight reel, showing the biggest and smallest savings to give you the picture.

Male Driver (2005 Honda Civic)

For the male driver, drivers’ training made a difference of $549 a year with a company founded in Wawanesa, Manitoba (but totally not “that” insurance company), while another insurer offered a modest $48 in savings. With a certain red company’s driving companion app, which promises up to 25% off for safe driving, the male driver landed a discount of $247—decent. That’s a range of $48 to $549, depending on who he chose as a insurance provider.

Female Driver (2005 Honda Civic)

For the female driver, savings ranged from $182 to $421 a year. The biggest discount came from a global firm with roots in London, England, saving her $421, while the big red company offered the smallest savings at $182. That’s a range of $182 to $421 across the board.

How Does Drivers’ Training Affect Your Insurance Rating?

Here’s a neat perk of drivers’ training in Alberta—it gives your insurance rating a nice little boost! When you complete a certified drivers’ training program, you start two steps lower on Alberta’s insurance grid, at -2 instead of 0. It’s like getting credit for two years of accident-free driving right off the bat. But here’s the catch: you’ll hang out at -2 for your first two years of licensing. After that, starting in year three, you can move down to -3 and keep dropping each year you drive without a liability accident. Pretty cool, right? It’s a head start that can help keep your rates lower as you build your driving history.

Does It Add Up?

Let’s talk dollars and cents. With drivers’ training, the male driver could save as much as $549 a year, while the female driver could pocket up to $421 annually, depending on the insurer. A drivers’ training course typically costs around $800 in Alberta in 2025. For the male driver, that $549 discount means he could break even in just over a year—pretty sweet! The female driver, with her $421 savings, could recoup the cost in about 1.7 years. That’s a solid win for both, especially when you’re starting out and every dollar counts. And with rates on the rise in 2025, drivers’ training can offer some protection—those skills and grid perks might shield you from the worst of the hikes by keeping your driving record clean and your rating low.

Safety Matters Too

The financial perks of drivers’ training might not always wow you, but there’s more to it than just the price tag. Training teaches defensive driving skills that can help you avoid accidents on Alberta’s roads. And with collision rates climbing since pre-pandemic times, that’s a big win. Fewer accidents mean fewer claims, which can keep your premiums from spiking—especially since one at-fault crash can hit your rates hard.

Plus, some insurers, like the big red company with their driving companion app, offer telematics programs that track your driving habits. Do well in drivers’ training, and you might score better on those programs, potentially saving up to 25% on your premium. That’s a nice bonus for playing it safe!

So, Is Drivers’ Training Worth It in 2025?

It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re all about short-term savings, drivers’ training might not always pay off quickly—especially if your insurer’s discount is on the smaller side. But if you’re thinking about the bigger picture—safer driving, fewer claims, and maybe some telematics perks—it’s still a smart move.

Our advice? Get quotes with and without training from a few insurers to see what you’ll save.
P.S. We happen to work with a few insurers