Below are 2021 All-Star Rules. Watch for 2022 Rules, coming soon!
Join the Teens in the Driver Seat All-Stars and win cash for your school. Every hard-working team has a chance to win cash for their school and to be recognized as a 1-star, 2-star, 3-star, or 4-star school. Teams receive points for completed and reported activities to earn their place as an All-Star! We keep track and post a Point Tracker throughout the year, so you know where you’re at and how much more you need to do to place as a TDS All-Star.
Everything your team does has a point value, so report everything you do and take pictures at all your events (including any partners that attend), and post them on social media (tag @teensdriverseat) for additional points.
IMPORTANT ITEMS TO REMEMBER
- To earn credit for TDS All-Star Activities an Event/Activity Form must be submitted, before the deadlines. Activity forms only need to be completed for activities your team completes online, or within your school or community. We will keep track of all other points, such as returned surveys, contest entries, Zero Crazy Observations, etc. See respective point line for information on whether an activity form is required.
- 5 Bonus points will be awarded for reporting activities within a month (30 days) after your activity was conducted.
- For all Texas schools, to earn full credit for TDS All-Star Activities each Event/Activity Form must be accompanied with student sign-in sheet(s) OR a one-time signed letter from the Principal or Superintendent (download) confirming attendance for the event, start and end time and for the planning hours leading up to the event. All sign-in sheet(s) must be submitted to TTI – Teens in the Driver Seat® prior to the deadline. Sign-in sheets or verification letters may be submitted as an attachment in the Event/Activity form, mailed, faxed, emailed to: TTI – Teens in the Driver Seat, 1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 605, San Antonio, TX 78213, Fax: 210-979-9694, Email: [email protected]
TDS All-Stars High School Criteria |
TDS All-Stars Junior High Criteria |
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POINT EARNING SCALE
October 19, 2019 through April 2, 2021. These rules were updated July 6, 2020. Please note lowered point scale for All-Stars levels, lowered survey requirements, and online activity points available.
SURVEY – REQUIRED TO QUALIFY FOR ALL-STARS CASH
Surveys can be conducted electronically! Survey instructions are included in your resource kit.
| 20 points |  For completing and returning annual school surveys by April 2, 2021. Surveys have a mandatory minimum number of surveys that must be completed based on school size. No Activity Form Required. April 2, 2021, points will be counted towards current All-Stars. If completed after April 2, 2021, points will be counted towards next All-Stars. |
 Social distance by utilizing the online surveys.
High Schools with a student population of:
Junior High Schools with a student population of:
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RIDE WITH ME INVOLVEMENT – REQUIRED TO QUALIFY FOR ALL-STARS CASH
New for the 20-21 school year: virtual activity that can be completed anytime during the school year.
| 10 points |
  For High Schools who sign up and complete all activity requirements before April 2, 2021 deadline. Completion after this date, points will be awarded the next TDS All-Stars contest year. |
| 15 points | For Junior High Schools who sign up and complete all activity requirements before April 2, 2021 deadline. Completion after this date, points will be awarded the next TDS All-Stars contest year. |
ZERO CRAZY! INVOLVEMENT – REQUIRED TO QUALIFY FOR ALL-STARS CASH
New for the 20-21 school year: schools may sign up and complete either the Zero Crazy Seat Belt OR Distracted Driving activity anytime during the school year.
| 15 points | For completing and returning pre- and post-observation data by the deadline. No Activity Form Required. |
| 10 Bonus points | An extra 10 points are awarded to schools who complete both Zero Crazy seat belts and the Zero Crazy distracted driving activity by April 2, 2021. No Activity Form Required. If completed before April 2, 2021, points will be counted towards current All-Stars. If completed between April 2, 2021 and May 3, 2021, points will be counted towards next All-Stars. |
TEXAS PEDESTRIAN OBSERVATIONS
| 15 points | For completing and returning pre- and post-walking observation data by May 31, 2021 deadline, Texas schools only; contact your regional rep for additional information. No Activity Form Required. |
ONLINE INVOLVEMENT / ONLINE RESOURCE USE
| 1 point | For each photo of online or on-campus activity you share on the TDS Facebook wall, Instagram (must tag @teensdriverseat), or Twitter (must tag @teensdriverseat). Duplicate entries are not eligible. It must be apparent which school is posting and have a description of activity with risk message. No Activity Form Required. |
| 1 point | For each photo of online or on-campus activity you share on the YTS Ped/Bike Facebook wall, Instagram (must tag @YouthWalkBikeSafe), or Twitter (must tag @FreeRangeWalker). Duplicate entries are not eligible. It must be apparent which school is posting and have a description of activity with risk message. No Activity Form Required. |
| 10 points | For each school selected for Teen Takeover. 10 points are awarded per event/activity day. Maximum 20 points per school. No Activity Form Required. |
| 5 points | For each student selected for the Teen of the Month. No Activity Form Required. |
| 5 points | For the winner of each online contest, other than the Driving the Message annual contest. No Activity Form Required. |
| 1 point |
For every student that comments on an online story. Student must disclose the school on the comment form. A student is counted only one time per article. Maximum 10 points per school. No Activity Form Required. |
ACTIVITIES AND OUTREACH (ONLINE, ON-CAMPUS, OR IN THE COMMUNITY)
Be sure to turn in to turn in all Event/Activity Forms. All activities conducted are due April 2, 2021.
*5 Bonus points will be awarded for reporting activities within a month (30 days) after your activity was conducted and for returning all required Texas sign-in sheets (or signed verification by a school administrator).
–2020-2021 school year—We understand in-person and community events will not be happening in the near term, so the following points have been adjusted to reflect social-distancing rules. Online activities that can be reported include:
- Kahoot Trivia
- Online training
- Watching risk videos
Find all Virtual Activities here>
| Up to 10 points* | For conducting an online or on-campus safe teen driving activity, event, or assembly with the following participation. An Event/Activity Form must be completed. |
| 3 points: 5+ participants 5 points: 20+ participants 10 points: 50+ participants |
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| 5 points | For utilizing large messaging resources on-campus, such as banners, yard signs, etc. An Event/Activity Form must be completed. |
| 10 points | For hosting a safe driving assembly, delivered by Tyson Dever. No Activity Form Required. |
| 5 bonus points* | For conducting a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) event using the provided Respect the Rig materials in the TDS Resource Kit or online. An Event/Activity Form must be completed. |
| 5 bonus points* | For conducting a Pedestrian and/or Bike Safety event using the provided Pedestrian / Bike materials from TDS (Texas schools) or online. An Event/Activity Form must be completed. |
| 5 bonus points* | For conducting a Rail Safety event using the provided Rail Safety materials in the TDS Resource Kit (select schools) or online. An Event/Activity Form must be completed. |
| 5 points* | For each school that collaborates with a community partner (i.e, TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist (TSS), local State Farm Agent, Safe Kids Coordinator, Law enforcement, or First responders) and attends an event or activity. Must include partner information. An Event/Activity Form must be completed. Maximum 20 points per school. |
| 1 point* |
For holding a team meeting to plan Teens in the Driver Seat® outreach. Meeting must be at least 30 minutes. An Event/Activity Form and sign-in sheets (or signed affidavits by a school administrator) must be completed. Maximum 10 points per school. |
| 5 points* | For each TDS activity featured in school paper or school website. Story must include and be relevant to a top risk of teen drivers and mention Teens in the Driver Seat. Please include link or copy of article / story in activity form. An Event/Activity Form must be completed. |
| 15 points* | For each school whose TDS team or TDS activity is featured in a newspaper or television story. Story must include and be relevant to a top risk of teen drivers and mention Teens in the Driver Seat. Please include link or copy of article / story in activity form. An Event/Activity Form must be completed. |
| 15 points | For each school selected to hold a TDS news conference. No Activity Form Required. |
TEEN ADVISORY BOARD (TAB) INVOLVEMENT
(APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 7, 2021)
| 1 point | For each student that applies for Teens in the Driver Seat® Teen Advisory Board (TAB) by March 7, 2021. Maximum 5 points per school. No Activity Form Required. |
| 5 points | For each student selected for the Teens in the Driver Seat® Teen Advisory Board (TAB). No Activity Form Required. |
| 3 points | For each quarterly meeting your TAB member attends. No Activity Form Required. |
| 5 points |
For each student elected as TAB co-chair. No Activity Form Required. |
| 1 point | For every new student that turns in a photo/video release form. Maximum 10 points per school. No Activity Form Required. |
OTHER
| 5 points | For referring the program to a new High School. Points will be awarded only if the new school starts their own Teens in the Driver Seat® program, and notes the referrer on their first order form. No Activity Form Required. |
| 5 points | For referring the program to a new Junior High School (Texas and Georgia only). Points will be awarded only if the new school starts their own Teens in the Driver Seat® program and notes the referrer on their first order form. No Activity Form Required. |
DRIVING THE MESSAGE CONTEST INVOLVEMENT
(CONTEST: NOVEMBER 2, 2020 – JANUARY 26, 2021)
| 1 point |
For each eligible contest entry received. Maximum 10 points per school. No Activity Form Required. |
| 3 points | For each contest entry that places 3rd place. No Activity Form Required. |
| 4 points | For each contest entry that places 2nd place. No Activity Form Required. |
| 5 points | For each contest entry that places 1st place. No Activity Form Required. |
SPONSTAR AWARD
(NOMINATIONS: FEBRUARY 26, 2021 – MARCH 26, 2021)
| 1 point |
For each eligible nomination received from your school. Maximum 3 points per school. No Activity Form Required. |
| 5 points | For the school of a SponStar winner. No Activity Form Required. |
RULES
- Teens in the Driver Seat® 2021 All-Stars is open to all program schools.
A program school is a high school or junior high that has completed an order form and received a resource kit for the 2019-2020 and/or 2020-2021 school years. - To be recognized in an All-Star category, High Schools must complete:
- 4-Stars ($1,000): 300+ points (total includes required activities of RWM, ZC, and surveys), TDS Surveys, Seat Belt AND Distraction Zero Crazy, Ride With Me
- 3-Stars ($500): 200+ points, TDS Surveys, Seat Belt OR Distraction Zero Crazy
- 2-Stars ($250): 100+ points, TDS Surveys, Seat Belt OR Distraction Zero Crazy
- 1-Star: 75+ points and TDS Surveys
- To be recognized in an All-Star category, Junior High Schools must complete:
- 4-Stars ($1,000): 150+ points, TDS Surveys, Seat Belt AND Distraction Zero Crazy, Ride With Me
- 3-Stars ($500): 100+ points, TDS Surveys, Seat Belt OR Distraction Zero Crazy
- 2-Stars ($250): 50+ points, TDS Surveys, Seat Belt OR Distraction Zero Crazy
- 1-Star: 25+ points and TDS Surveys
- Points for activities completed online or within the school or community will be awarded upon the submission of an Event/Activity Form. It is the responsibility of each school to submit their activity forms. All other points are automatically given when items are completed (returned surveys, contest entries, website comments, etc.).
- Points will be awarded according to the point earning scale.
- Participation in the Teens in the Driver Seat® Teen Driving Experience survey is required to be considered an All-Star school. TDS verifies school enrollment on the following websites to identify the minimum number of surveys required for each school. https://www.greatschools.org/ & https://tea.texas.gov
- For the Teens in the Driver Seat® 2021 All-Stars, teams will have the opportunity to earn points for the academic year of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 beginning October 19, 2019 through April 2, 2021.
- Points for activities occurring after April 2, 2021 will count towards the 2022 TDS All-Stars.
- The final deadline to submit activities to qualify as a Teens in the Driver Seat® All-Star is April 2, 2021.
- All winners must submit their Teens in the Driver Seat® team name list and W-9 (required for prize check) within one week of being notified of Teens in the Driver Seat® All-Star status.
- All entries, activities and photographs may be used to advance and support the Teens in the Driver Seat Program or the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
- The Texas A&M Transportation Institute is not responsible for lost, damaged, misdirected or delayed activity forms or entries towards points.
- The Texas A&M Transportation Institute reserves the right to withdraw, terminate, suspend, cancel or modify all or part of the contest at any time without notice.
- It is the responsibility of the school to monitor awarded points (updated monthly on leader board) and bring any discrepancies to the attention of the Teens in the Driver Seat staff before the April 2, 2021 deadline.
- For Texas Junior High and High Schools, it is the responsibility of the school to monitor awarded points, affidavit letters and sign-in sheets (updated monthly on leader board) and bring any discrepancies to the attention of the Teens in the Driver Seat staff before the April 2, 2021 deadline.
- Teens in the Driver Seat ® reserves the right to change any of these rules.
- All decisions are final.