The purpose of driver education is to improve the quality of life in our community, not only for students but all citizens, by improving the quality of driver performance on our streets and highways. The goal of driver education is to produce skilled, knowledgeable, responsible drivers through a course covering the following: awareness of problems that exist in traffic safety, checks and procedures important in operating a vehicle safely, effective driving decisions and visual habits, knowledge of the laws of man and nature which affect driving, basic vehicle maneuvers, basic vehicle maintenance, financial and legal aspects of operating an automobile, and physical and mental preparedness while driving a motor vehicle, especially in relation to fatigue, drugs, alcohol and illness. Students may take driver education only one semester during their regular high school careers. If students fail the course during the regular school year they may take driver education during the summer program. Ninth grade students who will turn sixteen on or before October 30 may take summer driver education at the high school in their attendance areas.


Behind-the-Wheel Driving* (19 hours) (6410)
This is a course of six hours of off-street, multiple-car, driving range experience and three hours of on-street and Skid Monster instruction in a dual-control car. In addition, each student spends six hours in the car observing another student operating the automobile under normal traffic conditions.


Classroom Instruction (6420)
*18 weeks on the multiple car driving range and on the road as a driver or observer. This is a one-semester course to develop the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for assuming one's responsibilities as a driver. The course emphasizes four areas of study: (1) the role of the driver, (2) one's personal responsibilities in driving an automobile; (3)
traffic laws, and (4) sound practices when driving in heavy traffic.


To be eligible for driver education the first semester a student must be 16 on or before February 23. For second semester a student must turn 16 on or before July 17, and for the summer program the student must turn 16 on or before October 30. There is a $100 student fee for this class.