About IMPROV®

Where Laughter
Actually Saves Lives

The 1st and original creator of the edutainment approach — co-founded with the world-famous IMPROV® Comedy Club. Where Laughter Saves Lives.

×5 Inc.5000
Fastest-Growing Companies
Inc. magazine — verified
1980
Founded
Melrose Ave. — Hollywood, CA
34+
State Approvals
DMV · Court · Insurance
4.7★
ShopperApproved
200,000+ verified reviews
5M+
Drivers Trained
Nationwide, all 50 states
#1
Best Comedy Traffic School
Voted by students
The Problem

Why Boring
Is Dangerous

Standard traffic safety courses fail because the brain ignores what it finds dull. When you're bored, you don't retain information — which means you aren't actually safer on the road.

At IMPROV®, we pioneered the “Edutainment “ model when we realized a simple psychological truth: A brain that is laughing is a brain that is learning.

Our Mission: Save Lives by Rethinking the Ordinary.

We didn’t just decide to be funny; we decided to be effective. Born from the legendary IMPROV® Comedy Club, we’ve spent 25+ years refining training over 5,000,000 drivers to make our courses Fun, Effective and Ridiculously Simple.

Our Story

Backed by Science,
Fueled by Fun

25 years ago, Gary Alexander founded IMPROV on a simple belief: driver education doesn’t have to be dry or boring. Duh, right?


So, he partnered with the masters of fun at the famed IMPROV Comedy Club, engaged with world-renowned behavioral and driving experts, top Hollywood talent, sprinkled some Silicon Valley magic dust on top… Boom!


A bold idea was born on the same stage that launched careers of comedy icons like Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, and Jay Leno. That spark ignited a revolution in driver education. To this day, we’ve helped over 5 million students dismiss tickets, earn insurance discounts, and -most importantly – become genuinely safer behind the wheel.

"I picked this class because I thought it would be fun and easy, but I was surprised how much I learned."
— Jessie M., Verified Student
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Our History

From a Comedy Club Side Project to the Nation’s Original Edutainment Traffic School

IMPROV isn’t a marketing gimmick bolted onto an old traffic school — it’s the company that invented the comedy traffic school category, and the history is a matter of public record.

1980

A Comedy Club and a Traffic Problem

Entrepreneur Gary Alexander approached Budd Friedman, owner of the legendary Hollywood IMPROV Comedy Club on Melrose Avenue, with an unusual pitch: what if traffic school used the same stage that launched Jay Leno and Robin Williams? The two co-founded Improv the Comedy Club Presents Traffic School, and early classes were held right at the club — students even received free passes to that night’s comedy show.

1989–94

From One Stage to a National Curriculum

As demand grew, the curriculum was formalized and handed to professional Hollywood comedy writers, with content built on input from psychologists who study driver behavior. The company expanded Comedy Traffic Schools into California, Arizona, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, and beyond. In 1994, Interactive Education Concepts, Inc. was established as the parent company behind the IMPROV driver-education brands.

2000s

National Press & the Birth of Online Courses

IMPROV’s comedy-driven approach drew coverage from The New York Times and The New Yorker, which attributed the format’s popularity to California’s car-dependent culture and deep bench of comedic talent. In 2008, the company launched its first fully online comedy traffic school, moving the experience beyond the physical comedy club for the first time.

2012–16

Recognized as One of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies

Inc. Magazine named the company to its Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America for multiple consecutive years, and the Los Angeles Business Journal separately ranked it among the top 100 fastest-growing private companies in Los Angeles County.

2014–Today

Expanding Beyond the Driver’s Seat

The company extended its edutainment method into workplace safety training through IMPROV Learning, developed the behavioral-science-based SPIDER Method™ for defensive driving, and built DriverZ for teen driver’s education — all while continuing to operate myIMPROV, its original online defensive driving and insurance-discount platform. Today, IMPROV is approved by DMVs, courts, and insurers in 34+ states and has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list five times.

Want the footnoted version? IMPROV’s origin and growth are documented independently on Wikipedia, and in archived coverage from The New York Times and The New Yorker.

Why Choose IMPROV?

The IMPROV Difference

Other traffic schools check a box. We change driving behavior for life.

01

Hollywood-Crafted Curriculum

Written by professional Hollywood comedy writers who understand that engagement drives learning. You'll enjoy videos, interactive scenarios, and content that actually holds your attention.

02

Behavioral Science Foundation

Developed by psychologists specializing in driver behavior, our SPIDER Method™ teaches defensive driving techniques that become second nature — helping you anticipate danger before it happens.

03

100% On-The-Go Friendly

Take your course anywhere on any device. Our platform lets you start on your laptop, continue on your phone, and finish on your tablet — progress syncs automatically.

04

No Hidden Fees

Unlike other schools that nickel-and-dime you with processing fees or lock you into frustrating timers, we offer transparent pricing and let you work at your own pace.

05

Fastest Certificate Processing

Get your certificate in as little as 30 minutes after completing your course. In many states, we electronically notify your DMV, court, or insurance company on your behalf.

06

Trusted Industry Partnerships

We're proud partners with major insurers and accepted by all insurance carriers, as well as Courts and DMVs Nationwide.

Why Drivers Trust Us

Trusted Nationwide

State DMVs, courts, and insurance companies across America trust IMPROV for driver education.

4.7★ (200K+ Reviews)Verified Students
5× Inc. 5000 HonoreeFastest-Growing Companies
#1 Best Comedy Traffic SchoolVoted by Students
DMV / Court Approved Court Accepted Insurance Accepted State Licensed
"I was driving on 405 on my motorcycle, when it started drizzling, I remembered the section that told me to increase the following distance. That little nudge saved my life, when the big truck in front of me slammed on the brakes. If I was driving any closer, I probably would not survive."
— Kenny C., Verified Student

Proven Results

What Students Walk Away With

Over 5 million drivers. Here is what actually changes after completing an IMPROV course.

Ticket Dismissed

Courts across 34+ states accept IMPROV certificates for ticket dismissal and point reduction. In many states IMPROV files your completion report electronically — no courthouse trip needed.

Insurance Savings

New York Insurance Law §2336 mandates a 10% premium reduction for 3 years after completing an approved course. Many other states and carriers offer comparable discounts.

Safer Driving for Life

Our SPIDER Method™ — developed with behavioral psychologists — builds defensive driving habits that become second nature. Drivers anticipate hazards before they happen.

Student Reviews

What Drivers Say After Taking the Course

★★★★★ 4.7 out of 5 · 200,000+ verified reviews on ShopperApproved
JM

Jessie M.

Verified Student

★★★★★

Surprised how much I actually learned

“I picked this class because I thought it would be fun and easy, but I was surprised how much I learned. The way they present the material actually sticks with you on the road.”

Verified Student
KC

Kenny C.

Verified Student

★★★★★

This course saved my life on the 405

“I remembered the section on increasing following distance. That little nudge saved my life when the truck in front slammed on the brakes. If I was any closer, I probably would not survive.”

Verified Student
DR

Verified Driver

ShopperApproved · Verified

★★★★★

Certificate in my inbox in 30 minutes

“Finished the course and got my certificate emailed in 30 minutes. The DMV received the report automatically. No paperwork, no courthouse visit. Exactly what they promised.”

Verified Student

Read all 200,000+ reviews at myimprov.com/reviews

Find the Right Course for You

Our Courses

Whether you need to dismiss a ticket, reduce insurance costs, or learn to drive — we have you covered with our nationwide approved courses.

Defensive Driving / Traffic School

For ticket dismissal, point reduction, and point removal. Accepted by courts and DMVs nationwide.

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Driver's Edwith DriverZ

Get your learner's permit & license with expert guidance every step of the way.

Get Started

Commercial FleetNEURO IQ by IMPROV Learning

Corporate safety training solutions.

Get Started

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About IMPROV

When was IMPROV founded and who started it?

IMPROV was founded in 1980 by entrepreneur Gary Alexander together with Budd Friedman, owner of the famed Hollywood IMPROV Comedy Club. Early classes were held at the comedy club itself on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, where students received free passes to that night’s comedy show.

What is the “edutainment” method IMPROV uses?

Edutainment blends education with entertainment. Our courses are written by professional Hollywood comedy writers and built on behavioral psychology, on the premise that a brain that is engaged and laughing retains safety information far better than a brain that is bored.

Is IMPROV accredited or recognized by any organizations?

IMPROV has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America five times and was recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as a top 100 fastest-growing private company. Our courses are approved by state DMVs, courts, and insurance providers across 34+ states, and we hold a 4.7-out-of-5 satisfaction rating from over 200,000 verified ShopperApproved reviews.

How quickly do I receive my certificate after finishing a course?

Most students receive their certificate of completion within about 30 minutes of finishing the course, and in many states we electronically report completion directly to the DMV, court, or insurance company on your behalf.

Does completing an IMPROV course actually save money on insurance?

In many states, yes. For example, New York Insurance Law §2336 requires a mandatory 10% reduction in liability and collision insurance premiums for three years after completing a DMV-approved defensive driving course such as ours. Discount eligibility and amounts vary by state and insurance carrier.

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