MAINE SHERIFFS
ASSOCIATION

The Maine Sheriffs Association’s Teen Driver Challenge (MDC) was created in 2018 to address the primary factors affecting teen drivers – speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, texting while driving and distracted driving. The program is offered at no cost to teen drivers in 16 counties across the state and led by sheriffs’ deputies licensed as commercial driving school instructors. More than 2,000 students participate in a MDC course each year, with the demand for course participation often outweighing availability.

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How much is this program needed? According to the Centers for Disease Control’s Motor Vehicle Safety division, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. Roughly 25 to 30 percent of teen drivers will be involved in a crash within the first 12 months of getting their operator’s license. The Teen Driver Challenge was created to help prevent Maine teens from becoming a statistic.

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MDC students are required to have a Maine Learner's Permit or a valid Maine Operator's License and have use of an automobile they usually operate during the driving exercises. The class will consist of lecture and driving exercises. Please note: the Teen Driver Challenge is not a supplemental or advanced driving course, it is a defensive driving program that covers various topics including:

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• Teen crash facts

• Knowing your vehicle

• Using your senses

• Vehicle dynamics

• Drug and alcohol use

• Aggressive driving and road rage

• Figure 8

• Threshold/Emergency Braking

• Backing

• Cornering

• Forward and reverse serpentine

• Off road recovery

• Evasive maneuvers

• Skid control

Are you ready to take the Challenge? Find a program near you.