Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers, with drivers ages 16–19 nearly three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

With Transportation Research Center’s Teen SmartDrive program, drivers gain hands-on experience in a controlled, private course environment, building confidence, improving hazard awareness, and developing the skills needed for safer everyday driving. This is not basic driver's education, this is an advanced driver training course with experienced instructors where students will learn their limits and practice accident avoidance techniques on a large, safe asphalt pad. This training occurs at TRC's 4,500-acre automotive proving ground, and students will utilize TRC's fleet of driver training vehicles.

TRC previously operated a highly-regarded teen driving program called Kids & Keys from 2005 to 2020, and SmartDrive brings the same high quality instruction with an updated curriculum.

Students will Learn

• Modern Safety Features in Cars – and their limits
• Loss of Traction and Skid Recovery
• Defensive Driving and Hazard Awareness
• Emergency Avoidance Maneuvers and Off Road Recovery
• Vehicle Dynamics Concepts and How Variable Impact Vehicle Performance
• Hands-On Activities to Show the Danger of Distracted Driving
• Basic Preventative Vehicle Maintenance