Teens can build their knowledge and driving experience through the Defense Response Improving Vehicle Education course taught by School Resource Officers.
School Resource Officer Chad Dodson coordinates and helps teach the DRIVE course to build skills.
The DRIVE course is geared to teens ages 16-19, said Dodson. Sheriffâs Office driving instructors teach in the classroom and with the teens driving.
The next class is scheduled Aug. 24 and 25. Dodson will tell teens the location when they register.
Teens will take classroom training from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday nights. The driving course will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Other dates for the class are Oct. 19-20, Nov. 16-17, Jan. 18-19, March 15-16 and May 17-18.
âThe goal of DRIVE focuses on educating teen drivers by increasing awareness of the adverse conditions and situations that contribute to teen crashes,â Dodson said. âThis class is for teen drivers beginning to drive or those who want to improve their driving skills.â
Driving exercises include evasive maneuvers, parallel parking, threshold emergency braking, forward and reverse serpentine, backing, cornering and angled parking.
Students interested in taking the course should contact Dodson at 615-396-7342 to register. Cost is $55 with checks written to the Rutherford County Sheriffâs Office.
Teens must have their valid driverâs license or learnerâs permit and proof of insurance and provide a safe vehicle for the driving course.