St. Johns County Teenage Defensive Driving Program
Welcome to the St. Johns County Teenage Defensive Driving Program website. The purpose of introducing drivers education to our county is to provide a quality educational experience for the youth of St. Johns County. The intent of the course curriculum is to introduce a level of instruction that prepares our students for both predictable and unpredictable real world driving situations. Through the combined efforts of the St. Johns County School District and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the youth of our community will be afforded the opportunity to both practice and learn skills not commonly found in basic training courses.
The St. Johns County Teenage Defensive Driving Program thanks Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Joyner, Sheriff David Shoar, Clerk of Courts Cheryl Strickland, the School Board and Board Chair Beverly Slough, and the County Commission with Chairman James Bryant for making this program possible.
Classes will be taught after school at Bartram Trail, Pedro Menendez, Ponte Vedra, Creekside, St Johns Technical and Nease High School.
The St. Johns County Teenage Defensive Driving Program is licensed through
the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
or call 547-8132
Course Length
The intent of the curriculum is to provide real world driving experiences through a series of six classes equaling 24 hours of instruction.
Content
Students will be exposed to classroom instruction, hands-on community and track driving, observational periods, and real world scenarios on controlled driving courses.
PARENTS PLEASE READ:
Students will be operating vehicles throughout roadways in St. Johns County including to but not limited to I95, US 1, A1A, SR 207, SR 206 and SR 16. Vehicles will be traveling within the full speed limit while practicing the driving skills.
Roadway Driving
It is important for both the student and the parent to understand that this course will be taught on actual roadways where community safety meets individual instruction. All students must be in good physical and mental health to participate in this course.
Track Day Driving
Students will be operating on a closed course that will involve skidding, lost of vehicle control and quick lateral/side-to-side vehicle maneuvers. All students must be in good physical and mental health to participate in this course.
It is the responsibility of both the parent and the student to immediately notify instructor of any physical or mental health issues that may aggravate any preexisting health problems or endanger the safety of other drivers/students, while operating a motor vehicle.
Curriculum
Course #1 - Introductory Driving
Starting the vehicle
Stopping the vehicle
Basic turns using signal
Moving turns using signal
Basic backing
Basic backing while turning
Basic parking with reverse procedures
Advanced parking - parallel, incline, and decline
Course #2 - Community Driving
Starting and stopping the vehicle while on roadways
Acceleration and deceleration on roadways
Signals at stopping points
Moving signals
Turns using acceleration and deceleration
Turns and corners at variable speeds
Passing procedures - single lane and double lanes
Course #3 - Track Driving
Note: Students will be operating on a closed course that will involve skidding, lost of vehicle control and quick lateral/side-to-side vehicle maneuvers.
Serpentine Course
Threshold braking
Cornering
Skid/slide recovery
Figure 8 drill
Backing
Evasive maneuver
Demonstrate skills on looped course
Off road recovery exercises
Course #4 - Congested Area Driving
Starting and stopping on roadways
Acceleration and deceleration on roadways
Signals at stopping points and intersections with and without stoplights
Moving signals
Turns using acceleration and deceleration
Turning and cornering at variable speeds
Passing procedures on single lanes and double lanes
Course #5 - Commercial/Special Area Driving
Starting and stopping in commercial areas
Acceleration and deceleration on roadways
Signals at stopping points and intersections with and without stoplights
Moving Signals
Turns using acceleration and deceleration in and out of areas
Parking procedures
Incline and decline maneuvers
Course #6 - Interstate Driving
Starting and stopping on roadways
Acceleration/deceleration on roadways
Using on and off ramps with merging
Moving signals
Turns using acceleration/deceleration
Turns and corners at variable speeds
Passing procedures on highway
Minimum Student Requirements
* All students must be a minimum of 15 years old.
* All students must have a Restricted Learners permit for at least 3 months.
* All students must have over 20 hours of behind the wheel driving before class start date.
* All students must live within the boundaries of St. Johns County.
* All students must complete a registration packet.
* Payment must be received prior to placement on course roster.
* All students must show proof of insurance.
Student Cost
Course Fee $249
* Scholarships are available for students who qualify for free or reduce lunch.
Make Check payable to St. Johns Technical High School.
After-School Classes - The After-School classes meet 5 times after school and 1 weekend class. These 6 classes will be spread out over 2 weeks. All dates below are available at all Six St. Johns County High Schools (Bartram Trail, Creekside, Nease, Ponte Vedra, St Johns Tech/SAHS and Pedro Menendez).
The After-School classes begin the week of:
February 21, 2012
February 27, 2012
March 12, 2012
April 16, 2012
April 23, 2012
April 30, 2012
May 14, 2012
May 21, 2012
Summer Camps - The Summer Camps meet Monday-Wednesday 9-4 and Thursday 9-1. A new camps begins each week during the summer. Camps will meet at Bartram Trail, Creekside, Nease, Ponte Vedra, St. Johns Tech/SAHS and Pedro Menendez.
Camp 1 - June 18-21
Camp 2 - June 25-28
Camp 3 - July 9-12
Camp 4 - July 16-19
Camp 5 - July 23-26
Camp 6 - July 30-August 2
Camp 7 - August 6-9
Registration Form
SJTHS/Drivers Ed
2980 Collins Ave Bldg E
St. Augustine Fl 32084
A Certificate of Completion will be issued after the course has been mastered. This certificate will not waive the student from taking the driving test at the DMV.
THE DRUG & ALCOHOL COURSE (DATA OR TLSAE)?
What is the Florida Drug & Alcohol Awareness Course?
* This course is required by law before applying for your Florida Learner's Permit
* 4-Hour Traffic Law and Substance Awareness Course
* What you will Learn: Florida traffic laws, the effects of drugs and alcohol on a person's ability to drive, and safe driver techniques.
* Florida DHSMV Approved Provider
Parent Tips and References
Tips To Help Teen Drivers - Advice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's traffic Safety programs.
* Be a good role model.
* Insist your teen wear a seatbelt.
* Remind your teen that a car can be a weapon and driving is a privilege, not a right.
* Restrict night and weekend driving.
* Make sure your teen knows that it's okay to call you if in trouble or needs a ride home.
* Drive with you teen occasionally.
* Talk to you teen about car insurance
* Restrict the number of passengers in your teen's car.
* Be prepared to take away the keys.
* Limit teens' driving during peak accident seasons.
* Write to you local state representative about strengthening teen-driver laws.
Suggested websites for more information on Teenage Driving
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