102 votes
⚠️ Not Recommended
The voice biometric validation system is unreliable and will fail in any environment that is not completely silent. Combined with poor support and an unfair refund policy, we cannot recommend this provider. Choose Safe Drivers Academy or Defensive Drivers Institute instead.
Pros & Cons
✓ PROS
- Easy sign-up process
- Optional course add-ons available
- Course content meets DMV requirements
✗ CONS
- Voice biometric validation is extremely unreliable
- Fails if there is any background noise
- Customer support is slow and unhelpful
- Unfair refund policy — no refunds for validation failures
- No Spanish language option
- Course resets if validation fails repeatedly
- Parent company has terrible Trustpilot reviews
Our Full Review
Reviewed by Marie DeSouza | Last updated:
New York Safety Council is owned by American Safety Council, a company with consistently terrible reviews on Trustpilot. After completing their course myself, I understand why. While the course content itself is adequate, the voice biometric validation system and customer service make this a provider to avoid.
The Voice Biometric Nightmare
Unlike most providers who use the simple One-Time PIN method, NY Safety Council requires you to call a phone number and recite a string of numbers for identity verification. This voice biometric system sounds secure in theory but is a disaster in practice.
The system failed me once because my dog barked in another room. Another time it failed because there was traffic noise outside my window. Each failure requires you to restart the section or contact support. If you do not live in a completely silent environment, you will struggle with this course. For comparison, the PIN method used by SDA, DDI, and SSS takes 10 seconds and never fails.
The Refund Trap
After multiple voice validation failures, I asked for a refund. Denied. Their terms of service explicitly state they will not refund for voice validation issues. So you pay for a course that uses an unreliable validation system, and when that system fails you, you are stuck. This feels predatory.
Customer Support
Response times were slow, and the representatives were not helpful in resolving my validation issues. They basically told me to find a quieter environment. Not everyone has access to a soundproof room.
The Verdict
NY Safety Council gets a 5.8/10. The course content is acceptable, but the voice biometric system is a dealbreaker. Unless you have access to a completely silent space, do not risk your money here. Go with a provider that uses One-Time PIN validation instead.
How NY Safety Council Compares
| Provider | Price | Rating | Validation | Reliable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Drivers Academy | $43.00 | 9.8/10 | One-Time PIN | ✅ Yes |
| Defensive Drivers Institute | $42.95 | 9.3/10 | One-Time PIN | ✅ Yes |
| Safety Sense Solutions | $43.95 | 9.1/10 | One-Time PIN | ✅ Yes |
| NY Safety Council | ~$44.95 | 5.8/10 | Voice Biometric | ❌ No |
Student Reviews
Voice validation failed because my AC turned on. Then again because a car drove by outside. Complete waste of money. No refund. Avoid.
Why does this company use voice biometrics when everyone else uses PIN codes? It failed multiple times. Had to finish the course at 2am when it was finally quiet enough.
Finally got through it but the voice system is terrible. The actual course content was fine. Just use a different company that does not make you jump through hoops.
Check their parent company American Safety Council on Trustpilot. 1.6 stars. Wish I had done my research first. Asked for refund and was denied.