(October 30, 2023) The Rochester City School District is dedicated to steering its students toward success, and its Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department is providing courses for students on safe and responsible driving.
Through its CTE Department, the District is offering New York State Driver and Traffic Safety Education Classes (Driver’s Ed) at 10 of its high schools for students ages 16 and up with a driving permit.
The District currently maintains a fleet of eight vehicles, which are specifically for its driver’s education courses. Among these vehicles, three are fully electric Chevy Bolts, three are Nissan Ariya models, also fully electric, and there are two gas-powered Nissan Altima models.
“Our driver’s education program is a critical step towards empowering our students with essential life skills,” said Sheldon Cox, the District’s Director of CTE. “Offering these courses in our schools makes it more convenient for students and also promotes safety and sustainability through our electric fleet.”
Classes are a minimum of 24 hours of lecture and 24 hours of driving lab. Students who complete the program will receive an MV-285 certificate from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, which allows them to be exempt from the written driver’s test if they schedule their test within two years of the certificate being issued.
If students are interested in driver’s ed courses at their school, they should check with their counselor to see when the class is offered. Depending on the school, some courses could be offered during the school day or after school. If a child's school does not have a driver's education course, the District provides a summer course to ensure every student has access to this vital education.
