The Leon County Sheriff's Office is committed to the safety of the community to include our most precious commodity, our youth. “The Teen Driver Challenge", which is specifically designed for the teen driver. The Challenge was created by the Florida Sheriff’s Association in 2007 to address issues affecting teen drivers. Between 25-30% of teen drivers will be involved in a crash during the first year of driving. The Challenge is designed to educate and train teen drivers to recognize and eliminate distractions which could result in a traffic crash or fatality.
LCSO’s Teen Driver Challenge is a popular initiative that pairs the young driver with certified driving instructors. The instructors teach teens to drive defensively, how to react in emergency situations, and how to reduce risks faced as a teen driver. This program is offered at no cost to the student.
Visit the Florida Sheriff's Association Teen Driver Challenge website
The Teen Driver Challenge is NOT an advanced driving course. It is a DEFENSIVE DRIVING PROGRAM that covers the following topics and driving exercises.
Topics {2 hours – Classroom}
- Vehicle Dynamics
- Human Factors
- Responsibility
- Liability
- Drug and Alcohol Use
- Night Driving
- Aggressive Driving and Road Rages
Driving Exercises {6 hours – Driving Range}
- Threshold, ABS, and Emergency Braking
- Evasive Maneuvers
- Cornering
- Backing
- Forward and Reverse Serpentine
- Figure 8
- Off Road Recovery
- Skid Control
IMPORTANT! Requirements to Participate:
- Must be between the ages of 15-19 (15 years old with a restricted license and at least 6 months of driving or 16 years old with a License)
- Have a valid Florida Driver’s License
- Have access to a safe vehicle
- Proof of insurance for the vehicle operated
- Child and Parent must sign a waiver of liability prior to taking this course
All classes will be held at Gene Cox Stadium, 601 Paul Russell Rd (next to the Fairgrounds).
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
The Leon County Sheriff's Office only offers Teen Driver Challenge during the summer months of June and July. Next summers dates will be posted in late January of 2025.
The following forms are required by each student. Please download and complete prior to attending the course.
Please send inquires to Deputy Michael Halligan.
Deputy Halligan can be reached at (850) 901-7864 or halligan@leoncountyfl.gov.