Getting that first driver’s license can be one of the most exciting times in a young person’s life—and one of the most dangerous.

Vehicular accidents are the number one killer of teenagers today. More than six thousand teens die in car accidents annually, about fifteen every day.

You can help ensure that this new chapter in your child’s life is a safe one by enrolling your son or daughter in a driver education course. Night classes are offered each semester, as well as a five week summer program and 3 week drive only (return to the main page and click on night or summer program for more info). This course will teach them the skills and attitudes they’ll need to become safe drivers.

Consider the benefits of enrolling your child in driver education:

• Your student will earn ½ credit toward graduation.
  
• Your student’s driver education certificate can reduce the cost of auto insurance by as much as 10% to 15%. 
• Your student will receive one-on-one driving instruction in a school district vehicle. Our highly trained instructors are all certified teachers who are also licensed examiners certified by Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
• There is a $100.00 lab fee for the night and summer program.
• At no additional cost, your student will receive the drug and alcohol course required by the state in order to obtain a restricted/learner’s license. Private companies are charging up to $40 for this course.
• Your student will be taught the skills necessary to pass their operator’s license test. He or she can receive both a learner’s permit at the beginning of the course and an operator’s license upon satisfactory completion of the coursework.

Most importantly, through the driver education course your student will be taught to respect the responsibility that comes with getting behind the wheel of a car.

As your student gets ready to take to the road, please talk to his or her guidance counselor about enrolling in a semester-long driver education course. It’s one of the best gifts you can give your child.

Sincerely,

The Driver Education Team
Alachua County Public Schools

Traffic Safety Center
3501 NE 12th Street
Gainesville, FL
352-955-6959

Map to the center