Teen Defensive Driving

Overview

Providing driving techniques not found in a typical drivers' education classroom, the Teen Defensive Driving Program puts students of all ages behind the wheel to learn skills that will be used for a lifetime. Students practice collision avoidance techniques, loss of control recovery skills, bad weather maneuvers through emergency lane change, wet braking, and skid car drills.  An instructor will be in the car only during the skid car drill. The Mid-Ohio School will provide Honda Civics for use during the program.

Parents are highly encouraged to stay and watch the program while their teen participates. 

Double-Up Days Option - On select dates, Double-Up Days will provide two students (teens and/or adults) the life saving skills provided in a traditional Teen Defensive Driving Program for one price. Each participant will split the driving time in the car, but both will get to experience all of the classroom and defensive driving drills covered in the standard teen program format. Students will benefit from the "watch and learn" environment of a Double-Up Day. Many parents sign up for the Double-Up Day so they can participate and also bond with their teen.

Participants will receive a complimentary lunch from the concession stand which will also be open for guests wishing to purchase a lunch.

Registration begins at 9:00 am. Class begins at 9:30 am and ends at approximately 3:30 pm. The program takes place at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, 7721 Lexington-Steam Corners Rd, Lexington, OH.


STANDARD COURSE



$415

  • Honda Civic EX Coupe
    Participant lunch provided


DOUBLE-UP DAYS



$5002 PARTICIPANTS (1 CAR)

  • Honda Civic EX Coupe
    Participant lunch provided

Enroll/Purchase By Phone: 419-884-4000

Call Center hours of operation: Monday through Friday 9:00AM - 4:30PM
*Please note registration is open until Noon on the last business day prior to the course.

For a full list of available course dates, please click 'Agenda' followed by 'Look for more'.

2023 Schedule

Curriculum
  • Discussion of driving basics, defensive driving behavior and vehicle safety
  • Classroom session covering the physics and dynamics of good driving
  • Wet braking drill
  • Emergency lane change / collision avoidance drill
  • Skid car drill simulating weather conditions such as ice, snow and rain
  • Vehicle maintenance talk
  • Participant's lunch is included
Seat Time
This Course is Ideally Suited For
Double-Up Days Option
Official Requirements

The Hard Facts on Teen Driving

According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, 90,185 teenage drivers (ages 16-20) were involved in traffic accidents in 2005 alone, accounting for 15.1% of all traffic accidents that occurred on Ohio roads. In nearly 64% of those accidents, the teen driver was found to be at fault. Most frightening, teenage drivers were involved in nearly 13% of all fatal traffic accidents that year. The conclusion? A lack of experience puts young drivers at risk behind the wheel, which can end in tragic results.

The Solution

The Teen Defensive Driving Program prepares young motorists for real world situations by exposing them to potentially hazardous situations in a safe and controlled environment. Our philosophy is "it's better to teach good, safe driving habits now than break bad habits that could have severe consequences later."
If you visit The Mid-Ohio School, you will recognize the valuable contribution it makes to highway safety. If you love a young driver, urge him or her to attend Mid-Ohio or a similar professional driver training. You may save their life.
Chagrin Falls, OH Parent
My son and I had a great time. Max learned a lot and I had a hoot. My wife was tickled that I have a 'Teen Driving Certificate'.
Nashville, TN Parent
In October 2007 we enrolled my daughter in the Teen Defensive Driving Course at the Mid Ohio Race track. The instructors allow my wife and I to 'sit in' during the classroom training and we watched during the track training. I was really intrigued with the computer controlled 'skid car' and took quite a few pictures while the kids were developing their skills. The instructor saw me and asked if I would like to give it a try while the rest of the group was at lunch. When the car was programmed to behave like it was on black ice I performed miserably ... until the instructor showed me some tricks. Within three laps I was maintaining control and able to do complete laps without hitting a single cone. I was amazed how much I learned that day and how that training would ultimately save me from a potentially horrific accident.

On Sunday December 21, 2008 I was driving to a service call on Telegraph Road in Monroe, Michigan. It was 7 degrees and the wind was blowing snow over the highway. Most of the main roads had ice and the side roads and parking lots were ice covered from the rain and then snow we had for the last few days. I was traveling about 40mph (on a 55mph road) and was experiencing whiteout conditions when all of a sudden I noticed a mini-van was stuck pulling out from a side street, it's wheels were spinning and I was less than 40' away. I could see the faces of the four people in the van and knew that if I did not go off the road I would hit them. I gently veered to the right missing the van, I went between a telephone pole and a stop sign hitting a snow bank that put my Nissan Murano airborne for about 6 to 8 feet. I landed in a liquor store parking lot that was covered with at least 2" of ice and snow and was heading for the front of the building. I remembered what I had learned from the Mid Ohio school, they kept saying 'when in doubt... both feet out', and I did not put my feet on either the gas or the brake pedals. I slowly veered to the left of the building aiming for a large dumpster. At the last minute ... I put my car in a controlled skid and slid about 35' sideways into a 'drive up telephone booth' with two barrier poles and a telephone pole behind it. Fortunately the snow from the having the parking lot cleared cushioned the impact. I was amazed that I avoided the real dangers and did very little damage to my car (less than $1,500.00) ... not bad for a 40mph accident. The people in the van... they went on their way never stopping back to see if I was OK. I am convinced that it was the tips I learned and the impromptu training that I received during my daughter's Teen Defensive Driving School that she attended at Mid Ohio.
Ric Clark, OH Parent
The cost of the driving program is definitely worth the peace of mind. Driver’s training doesn’t teach you how to drive, it teaches you just enough to pass the driver’s test. The Mid-Ohio School’s course helped him (Rob) get out a dangerous situation on the roadway.
Brunswick, OH Parent
My son, Ian, attended the class. He had a wonderful experience and learned a lot. He has not had much road time and the class was just what he needed to increase his confidence. The instructors were great. They were helpful and spoke to the kids on their terms.
Columbus, OH Parent
My daughter Elizabeth recently completed the Honda Teen Driving Program at Mid-Ohio and I cannot be more pleased with the results. Her driving confidence has dramatically improved, as have her skills.
Cleveland Heights, OH Parent
My daughter participated in your teen defensive driving program. I thought the instructors did a terrific job! Those guys are doing important work.
Dayton, OH Parent
David Roush and Tommy Byrne were our instructors and they were just great. David is a great speaker and managed to keep the kids attention while he talked to them about the very serious responsibilities of driving. I know that he made a strong impression on them. Tommy was very patient and had a great sense of humor. My daughter can be pretty shy and both instructors went out of their way to make her feel comfortable and involved with the program. It was very easy to see a big positive change in her driving by the time the day was over.
Chuck Ketterhagen, Madison, WI