Upcoming Classes:
12/21/24,  01/11/25,  01/18/25,  02/08/25, 
03/22/25,  03/29/25,  04/12/25,  04/26/25, 
05/03/25,  05/10/25
Click on the desired date above to register.
(indicates registration full)

OVERVIEW:
Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell is committed to the safety of Lake County's youth and is pleased to offer, in conjunction with the Florida Sheriff's Association, the Teen Driver Challenge. This 8.5 hour course is taught 7:30am - 4pm to train teenage drivers how to prevent crashes through defensive driving techniques and evasive maneuvers. The program provides a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on driver training at the Lake Tech Institute of Public Safety Driving Range in Tavares.
The address of the driving range is 13000 Frankies Road, Tavares FL 32778.

Teens must be between the ages of 15 - 19 and MUST have a valid Learner's Permit or Florida Operators License and participants must provide their own car. The Lake County Sheriff's Office does not provide cars for participation in this program. Instructors recommend that the teen have some driving experience already. We also recommend that the teenager bring the vehicle that they are or will be driving on a regular basis. This allows the teen to become more comfortable with operation of their vehicle in emergency situations.

Classroom Topics
  • Vehicle Dynamics
  • Human Factors
  • Responsibility
  • Liability
  • Drug and Alcohol Use
  • Night Driving
  • Dangers of Texting and Driving
  • Aggressive Driving and Road Rage
Driving Range Exercises
  • Threshold, ABS, and Emergency Braking
  • Figure 8
  • Backing
  • Cornering
  • Evasive Maneuvers
  • Forward Serpentine
  • Off Road Recovery


GENERAL INFORMATION:
  • * Seats are available on a first come first serve basis, and class size is limited to a certain number of students. Do not delay in registration, as classes do fill quickly.
  • * If your teenager will not be able to attend, after registration, please email us back at teendriver@lcso.org
  • * The registration packet must be completed in full in order to participate in the driving course.
  • * Lunch will be provided. If a student has any food allergies they must provide their own lunch.


REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Teen Driver Challenge - Click Here to Register Online
After registering online, the Teen Driver Challenge registration packet must be printed out and completed, which can be accessed by clicking here.
The above registration packet must notarized prior and turned prior to the beginning of class.
Registration paperwork must also be accompanied by physical copies of the following items:
  • * Photo copy of student's valid Driver's License
  • * Photo copy of registration of the vehicle used during the class
  • * Photo copy of proof of insurance


For any questions or further information, please speak to our TDC Point of Contact:

Lake County Sheriff's Office
Teen Driver Challenge
360 W. Ruby St
Tavares, FL 32778
Phone: 352-343-9723
Fax: 352-343-9437
teendriver@lcso.org


COURSE OVERVIEW:

Students participate in a classroom session that will cover the following topics:
  • Teen Crash Facts
  • Knowing Your Vehicle
  • Use Common "Senses" When Driving
  • Belt Yourself, It Won't Hurt
  • Vehicle Dynamics
  • Safe Driving Can be Habit Forming
  • Alcohol, the $8,000 Drink
  • Aggressive Driving
  • Driving Exercises

Students also participate in a driving class at the Driving Range in Tavares. Each student will practice the following exercises to develop defensive driving skills:


COURT ORDERED STUDENTS:
There is a $100 fee for students who have been court ordered to complete the course. Payment must be cash, a cashier's check, or money order made out to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
The fee must be paid in person the morning of the class.


COURSE LOCATION:
Lake Tech Institute of Public Safety Driving Range
13000 Frankies Rd,
Tavares, FL 32778

Directions to the Range:
From the North; take SR 19 South from US 441 in Tavares. Once you are to the intersection of SR 19 and CR 561, veer left onto CR 561. Go approximately two miles until you see the DMV and Lake County Animal Services building. Frankies Road is your very next right hand turn.

From the South; take CR 561 North from US 27 to Frankies Road and turn left. If you are taking SR 19 go north to CR 448A and turn right. Once you are at the intersection of CR 561, turn right and follow the above directions.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can students share a vehicle?
- No. Due to safety precautions and time constraints, each student must provide their own vehicle.

What car should my teen use for the course?
- It is highly recommended for students to drive the vehicle they will be using the most after the course. This will allow them to become more familiar with the dynamics and handling of the vehicle through the TDC.

Will this course help lower our insurance?
- It may. Contact your local insurance agent to inquire about possible discounts.

Do parents have to stay for the whole course?
- No, they don't. It is recommended that parents do not stay for the course.

My teenager just got their license. Can they take the course?
- Students are asked to have some driving experience with a parent or other qualified adult before attending this class. This course is not designed for brand new drivers.

Is there a certificate provided for this class?
- Yes, a certificate is provided at the end of the class for each student completing the class.


Office of the Sheriff

360 W. Ruby St.
Tavares, FL 32778

Non Emergency Number
352-343-2101

Information Desk
352-343-9500

Lake County Jail

551 W. Main St.
Tavares, FL 32778

Administration Hours
M-F 8:30am to 5pm

Phone: 352 742-4000
Fax: 352 742-4039

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