Getting the Teens in the Driver Seat® program started at your high school is simple and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Step 1) Pick the team:
- The TDS team will be responsible for spreading the safety messages, coordinating and holding activities, and participating in TDS-guided activities and events. A great team size ranges from 8 – 12 teens who can lead activities and messaging. The team can be an existing school group, such as an FCCLA chapter, Student Council, or form a new team. Anyone can be a part of TDS and it’s a great community service project.
- Find an advisor and/or school leader who wants to sponsor the TDS team. The sponsor serves as team support, keeps us updated on what your team is doing, and will be our main point of contact.
- Have questions? Get in touch with your Regional Representative who will help guide you.
Step 2) Enroll your team and find out what your friends know:
- Enroll to receive your FREE resource kit.
- You can sign up anytime during the school year. Replenish your kit and recommit to TDS each school year (pending grant funding in your area).
- Watch for welcome emails with instructions on Step 1 – administering the survey. This qualifies you to become a TDS All-Star! Administer the survey before you do any activities, while you are waiting on your TDS kit, so we can get a good picture of what the students in your school know and their driving habits. We’ll provide a report of your results and keep a record so we can evaluate the impact your team is making in your community and make the program better. Learn more about the survey>
- Watch for your kit and look for our emails and newsletter to give you news and inspiration for activities. Not seeing the emails? Send a note to [email protected] so we can check your email address and this will also place our email address in your email address book.
Step 3) Spread the word and earn some cash:
- Plan out activities for the entire year. You can look at the online activity ideas, events & contests, and see what other schools are doing on our Facebook and Instagram pages and we’ll send you ideas and how-to emails throughout the school year.
- To earn All-Star awards for your team make sure to let us know what you are doing by completing an activity form. Let the world know about your activities by posting on the TDS Facebook wall, Instagram, or X (tag us @teensdriverseat, so we can like and share your post)!
- Learn about our Safe Driving App and let students know they can use it to earn gift cards.
- TDS holds guided activities and events throughout the year and your students and school can earn cash and prizes – like Driving the Message contest, Extra Mile, Teen Advisory Board, and more. Take a look at Events & Contests to learn more.
Step 4) Keep the program going:
- Hold regular meetings with your sponsor and team to keep ideas and outreach going.
- Stay on the lookout for weekly emails and monthly newsletters that are full of activity ideas, resources, and current events. These will go to your teacher/sponsor.
- Want to be more involved? Check out our National Teen Advisory Board, where students drive the future of TDS.
- At the end of the school year, make sure to recruit new members to continue the TDS program.
Now What?
Once you’re ready to go, it’s time to enroll and receive your educational toolkit! Below are the states we currently provide FREE resource kits to:
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