Teen SmartDrive at Transportation Research Center
Transportation Research Center - OHAbout this event
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.
Transportation Research Center (www.trgpg.com) operates one of the world's premier driver training and development programs, renowned for instructing automotive professionals in testing, evaluation and performance driving. TRC has developed specific class curriculums that delve into the complex relationship between the driver, the vehicle, and the road environment. Our team of experienced instructors delivers comprehensive training covering basic driving skills and defensive maneuvers all the way through to the highest levels of limit handling.
Get a taste of the SmartDrive experience in this video
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
The cost of the course is $500 USD Per Student
This Includes:
- Full-day program with 2 classroom sessions, and 8 driving challenges with in car instruction from TRC's world-renowned instructors.
- Use of a TRC training vehicle and specialized instruction aids
- Lunch
- Certificate of Completion
Class Schedule:
- 8:30-9:30am– Classroom Session 1
- Introductions
- Class Objectives
- Driving Tips and Vehicle Dynamics
- 9:30am-11:30am – Driving Session 1 (30min per Station)
- 11:30am – 12:15am – Lunch break
- 12:15pm – 1:00pm – Classroom Session 2
- Defensive Driving
- Vehicle Safety Features
- Vehicle maintenance
- 1:00 – 3:00pm - Driving Session 2
- 3:00-3:30 pm – Wrap Up, Questions, Feedback
Event requirements
Students must be licensed drivers and should have a basic foundation of everyday street driving.
Each class is capped at 12 students, with a maximum 3:1 student to instructor ratio
TRC is located at 10820 State Route 347 in East Liberty Ohio. While traveling along US-33, use exit 77 for OH-347 North and turn right at the first intersection onto TRC Drive. The meeting location is the James A Rhodes Conference Center, which is your first building on the right.
Students should dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather with closed toed shoes. Most of the time will be spent in the car or classroom, but some time may be spent outside. Some of the driving events may be physically strenuous.
Students should bring a water bottle and any additional snacks they may need. Please reach out with any dietary restrictions
Due to the nature of the driving activities, some students may experience motion sickness. These students are welcome to take a break or discontinue training at any time. Students who are prone to motion sickness should plan accordingly witht their preferred mitigation technique.
Safety of the students is paramount. TRC will have an instructor in the car at all times during training. TRC reserves the right to stop training for any student who is not acting safely and/or not following instructions.
TRC is a strictly confidential facility and attendees will not be permitted to take photos or videos. TRC will apply anti-tamper security labels to phone cameras.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR PARENTS: Minor waivers require signatures from BOTH parents.There is no viewing area for parents to observe the training, however parents are welcome to wait in the TRC conference center, or drop off and pick-up at the scheduled times.
