Teen Driver Challenge

Sheriff Mascara is committed to the safety of the community including our youth and has implemented a number of programs directing the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office to provide education and training to protect them. These programs have targeted issues that concern parents, and now Sheriff Mascara is offering a new program specifically designed for the teen driver. The program is known as "The Teen Driver Challenge". The challenge is backed by the Florida Sheriffs Association and supported by the Sheriff.


April 2023 - Teen Driver Challenge Dates


April 20 & April 22

  • Classroom - Thursday, April 20, 2023 | 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    • St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office | 4700 W. Midway Road, Fort Pierce, 34981
  • Driving Range - Saturday, April 22, 2023 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    • Indian River State College, Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex
      4700 Kirby Loop Road, Fort Pierce, 34981



Download and complete the forms on the right to register for the next Teen Driver Challenge.


Completed documents should be emailed to DelgadoE@stluciesheriff.com or delivered in person to the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters at 4700 West Midway Road in Fort Pierce.

About the Program

The Teen Driver Challenge is the result of a committee assembled by the Florida Sheriffs Association, including law enforcement driving instructors from around the state.


The committee identified that 25% to 30% of teen drivers will be involved in a crash during the first year of driving. Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death among teens and cause billions of dollars in loss annually.

Defensive Driving Program

With those statistics alone it was imperative that the committee address ways to reduce the risk our teens have in driving and build a program to provide instruction by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Certified Driving Instructors. The Teen Driver Challenge is not an advanced driving course. It is a defensive driving program that covers the following topics and driving exercises:

Classroom Topics (2 Hours)

  • Aggressive Driving and Road Rage
  • Drug and Alcohol Use
  • Human Factors
  • Liability
  • Night Driving
  • Responsibility
  • Vehicle Dynamics

Driving Exercises (8 Hours/Driving Range)

  • Backing
  • Cornering
  • Evasive Maneuvers
  • Figure 8
  • Forward and Reverse Serpentine
  • Off Road Recovery
  • Skid Control
  • Threshold, ABS, and Emergency Braking

Information & Experience

The Teen Driver Challenge is an effective program providing information and first hand experience. If confronted with an emergency situation students who complete this course will have the knowledge and skills to react accordingly and reduce the chance of becoming a statistic.

License

The Teen is required to have a valid Florida Operators License, or a Learner's Permit for the last six months, and drive a car they will be using a majority of the time. (The Sheriff's Office will not provide cars for this program.)

Additional Information

For further information please call the Sheriff's Office or contact the School Resource Officer at your child's high school.

Documents

Registration is not complete until all forms are received by the training unit. The following documents must be submitted along with the liability release forms and application no later than two weeks prior to the first class:

  • Automobile insurance card
  • Student's driver's license or permit
  • Student's medical insurance card
  • Vehicle owner's driver's license
  • Vehicle registration