Notice:  

The next Teen Driver Challenge will be held on Friday, July 12th 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at our Training Unit (see address below).

Parents, are you concerned about your teenager's safety while driving?  

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, together with the Florida Sheriffs Association is proud to offer the Teen Driver Challenge, free of charge to Charlotte County teenagers. The classroom portion of this course will be held in the morning at our Training Unit (see address below) and the driving portion of the course will be held in the afternoon at the old Jones Loop Rest Area in Punta Gorda.

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death and serious injury for teenagers. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office is offering the Teen Driver Challenge in an effort to reduce traffic crashes involving young drivers. We believe this is an outstanding program that is backed by our commitment to make Charlotte County roadways the safest in the state.

The Teen Driver Challenge is a "hands on course" that improves driving skills, vehicle awareness, and the development of good driving habits. The program is administered by certified driving instructors from the Sheriff's Office Training Unit, and lasts 8-12 hours. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion.

Classroom portion (4 hours) covers the following topics:

• Using your senses
• Knowing your vehicle
• Seatbelt use and restraints
• Fatigued and impaired driving
• Distracted driving
• Aggressive driving
• Vehicle operation

Driving Range portion (6 hours) is held at the driving range and covers most or all of the following driving exercises:

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

Vehicle Information

• The student must provide a vehicle for the driving exercises. We recommend the vehicle used should be the same one the student normally drives. The vehicle must be in good mechanical condition, and all equipment on the vehicle must work. Tires and brakes need to be in good condition. A vehicle inspection will be completed on every vehicle before driving exercises begin.

Student Requirements

• The student must have a valid Driver's License or a valid Learner's Driver's License for at least 6 months before they can complete this course. The maximum age for this training is 19.

If you have a Learner's Driver License, you must have a fully licensed driver, over the age of 21, in the front seat with you, when you arrive and leave this training.

Parents:

To enroll your teenager in the Teen Driver Challenge, please complete the registration documents and submit them along with the required attachments. This course fills up fast so ensure all documents are received by the Training Unit for your teen or their seat in the class will not be reserved until all required documents are received. If you have any difficulty accessing these documents using the link below, please contact the Juvenile Unit at (941) 258-3936 for assistance.

Parents Permission and Release Form

Student Participation and Release Form

Vehicle Owner's Statement and Release Form

Forms to Submit:

1. Parental Permission form (2 pages)

2. Student Statement of Voluntary Participation form (1 page)

3. Vehicle Owner's Statement and Permission form (1 page)

4. Copy of teen's driver license (Operator or Learner's Driver License)

5. Copy of valid vehicle insurance card

6. Copy of vehicle registration for the vehicle to be used (note: the name that appears on the vehicle registration must be the person who signs the vehicle permission form)

*These forms can also be signed in front of a Sheriff's office Representative instead of being notarized.*

These forms may be hand delivered to any of our district offices or mailed to:

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Training Unit
7474 Utilities Road
Punta Gorda FL 33982

Or emailed to:
jreich@ccsofl.net