Pandemic or not, teen drivers need to learn how to properly operate a vehicle. Volvo has announced that all Volvo owners with aspiring student drivers can now receive free access to AAA's "How to Drive" online driver education course.

AAA's 30-hour, self-paced course is built on research based-curriculum and featuring interactive exercises and real-world scenarios.

"While Volvo strives to make the safest cars on the road, it is just as important for the safety of all that the driver feel prepared and confident behind the wheel," said Jim Nichols, Sr. Product and technology Communications Manager, Volvo Car USA. "In a year that has seen unprecedented disruption to driver education nationwide, we felt compelled to provide Volvo families with access to the best online learning platform available and tools like Care Key and AAA resources to help make the roads safer for everyone."

Photo courtesy of Volvo Car USA

In 2019, Volvo released the results of their study into the state of driver's education in the U.S. According to the study, more than half (52 percent) of Americans feel driver education is outdated, while 60 percent feel the driver's test is designed to be passed, as opposed to truly testing one's driving skills.

Volvo owners can receive access to their AAA "How to Drive" course by:

• Visit the Volvo Car USA Customer Support page
• Click AAA Driver Education
• Enter your information including Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email with unique code
• Click on link to AAA website and use code to redeem course.

Volvo has been on the forefront of automotive safety innovation for decades. The three-point safety belt was launched by Volvo in 1959. The company announced earlier this year that it will limit all its vehicles to 112 mph. The company's Care Key allows owners to set a speed limit for themselves or family members, similar to the way Chevrolet's Teen Driver works.

"AAA is excited to partner with Volvo to help prepare new drivers for the rigors of driving on today's roads, and to use modern vehicle technologies safely and effectively" said William Van Tassel, Ph.D., AAA driver training programs manager. "TeenDriving.AAA.com offers a a variety of tools to help prepare parents and teens. Both the Parents Coaching Guide and StartSmart Parent Session are excellent resources on how to become effective in-car coaches as well as advice on how to manage teen driving privileges."