jQuery Validate Required Select

Question

I am trying to validate html select element using jQuery Validate plugin. I set "required" rule to true but it always passes validation because zero index is chosed by default. Is there any way to define empty value that is used by required rule?

UPD. Example. Imagine we have the following html control:

<select>
  <option value="default">Choose...</option>
  <option value="1">1</option>
  <option value="2">2</option>
</select>

I want Validation plugin to use "default" value as empty.

Answer 1

An easier solution has been outlined here: Validate select box

Make the value be empty and add the required attribute

<select id="select" class="required">
<option value="">Choose an option</option> 
<option value="option1">Option1</option>
<option value="option2">Option2</option>
<option value="option3">Option3</option>
</select>