Teen Driver Challenge

The Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Polk County Public Schools, teaches the “Teen Driver Challenge.” Both agencies recognize the importance of safe teen driving programs, and are working together to educate Polk County’s teens in methods and techniques to become safer drivers.

Most people don’t realize that teenagers die more often in traffic crashes than for any other reason. The only way we can reduce this likelihood is to better inform teens and teach them how to become safer, more effective drivers. The Teen Driver Challenge does just that – it provides our young drivers with hands-on experience and classroom learning, reducing their risk of becoming another tragic statistic. We encourage parents and teenagers to get involved in this valuable program – all it costs is twelve hours of your time, but the rewards are priceless. 

To register your teen for the Teen Driver Challenge, email teendriverchallenge@polksheriff.org to request a forms packet and further instructions. Once you have completed the packet, you can scan it and email it to teendriverchallenge@polksheriff.org, or mail it to: Natalie Jones, PCSO Sheriff's Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd, Winter Haven, FL, 33880. You can also drop off the completed forms at any Polk County Sheriff’s Office substation and simply request that it be forwarded to Ms. Jones.

Assignment to a class date cannot be confirmed until all paperwork is completed properly, and has been received. Once all of your paperwork is received, your confirmation date will be emailed to you. If prior to the submission of your paperwork, all available seats are filled for the date you originally requested, you will be given priority for an available seat on another date. If you have questions, please email teendriverchallenge@polksheriff.org.  

Once a student has a confirmed seat in a class, the parents and/or the student is required to contact PCSO at teendriverchallenge@polksheriff.org to confirm that the student will be attending the training at least 48 hours before the class date. This is to confirm the student will actually be participating and prevent empty seats in the training class.

View our calendar of scheduled classes below.

Important information before requesting a forms packet:

1. Students must be at least 15 years of age and must not have reached 20 years of age.
2. Students must possess either a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license.
3. Students are asked to have a minimum of one month’s worth of driving experience with a parent or other qualified adult before attending this class. 
4. The course will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. at the Burnham-McCall Training Center, located at 2201 Old Eagle Lake Bartow Road in Bartow.
5. Students must provide their own vehicle*, in good mechanical condition, full of fuel and other fluids.
6. Students with a learner’s permit must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older when arriving and anytime when leaving the facilities. Parents are not required to stay; however, they may do so if they choose. Parents are not allowed in the vehicle during the training and must provide arrangements for their teen’s lunch and accompany them when they are released to go home (Learner's permits only).
7. Upon completion of the course of instruction, the student will receive a completion certificate. Parents may present the student workbook and certificate to their insurance carriers for possible premium reduction consideration. We do not, however, guarantee insurance discounts. 

*For families that do not have the ability to spare their vehicle for the entire duration of the course, please contact teendriverchallenge@polksheriff.org to inquire about other available options.