Welcome to the AMP Street Smarts Teen Driving Program, designed to equip young drivers with essential car control skills and promote safer driving habits. Below are answers to frequently asked questions to help you understand what our program offers.
Understanding the AMP Street Smarts Teen Driving Program
What is the duration of the AMP Street Smarts Teen Driving Program?
The AMP Street Smarts Teen Driving Program is an intensive one-day course, running from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. This condensed format maximizes learning efficiency while accommodating busy schedules.
What activities are included in the Amp Car Control Program?
Our program blends classroom learning with practical, in-car exercises led by professional driving instructors. Approximately one hour is dedicated to classroom sessions, while the majority of the day is spent in BMW vehicles provided for hands-on training. Students engage in driving exercises that simulate real-world scenarios, focusing on critical car control skills:
- Skid Control: Learn to manage loss of control on a wet skid pad, understanding how to regain vehicle stability.
- Accident Avoidance Maneuvers: Practice quick lane changes and emergency steering techniques to avoid potential collisions.
- Threshold Braking & ABS Exercises: Master effective braking techniques, including threshold braking and utilizing Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) in emergency situations.
- Slalom Course: Develop an understanding of vehicle weight transfer and its impact on handling through a slalom course.
- Two Wheels Off Exercise: Experience and learn to control a vehicle when two wheels leave the pavement, a scenario encountered on uneven road edges.
In the classroom, we cover fundamental driving principles:
- Optimal Driving Position: Learn the correct seating and hand positions for enhanced vehicle control and comfort.
- Mirror Adjustment: Understand proper mirror placement to minimize blind spots and maximize situational awareness.
- Tire Contact Patch: Grasp the concept of tire contact patch and its crucial role in grip and vehicle dynamics.
- Weight Transfer Theory: Delve into the theories of weight transfer and how it affects vehicle handling in various driving situations.
- Long Distance Vision & Situational Awareness: Develop techniques for scanning the road ahead and maintaining comprehensive awareness of your surroundings.
- Driver Distractions: We address the dangers of driver distractions, including electronic devices (radios, iPods, cell phones for calls and texting) and the risks associated with having too many passengers in the car.
Lunch is provided on-site for all students, parents, and volunteers.
Program Logistics and Requirements
What is the cost of the AMP Car Control Program?
The course fee is $249 per student. This investment provides invaluable skills and experience that contribute significantly to safer driving habits.
Where does the Teen Driving Program take place?
All AMP Street Smarts Teen Driving Programs are held exclusively at Atlanta Motorsports Park, located in Dawsonville, GA 30534. Please refer to our tentative schedule for upcoming dates. To receive email notifications about new class openings (sent approximately 60 days prior to each class), please contact us to be added to our database.
What is the class size for each program?
To ensure personalized attention and quality instruction, we limit each class to 20-25 students. If your preferred class is full, we encourage you to still register to be placed on the waitlist without any charge. If no spots become available in your chosen class, you will remain in our database and be notified when new classes are scheduled.
What are the age limits for student participation?
The Street Smarts Teen Driving Program is open to licensed or permitted drivers aged 15 to 18.
What are the specific requirements for permitted drivers?
Permitted drivers are welcome to participate in the AMP Street Smarts Teen Driving Program under the following conditions:
- All permit restrictions can be safely adhered to during the program.
- Students must be at least 15 years old (or the minimum age mandated by the state issuing the permit).
- Crucially, we require permitted drivers to have accumulated a minimum of 25 hours of driving experience prior to attending the class.
- Additionally, permitted drivers must have held their permit for at least half the duration required by the state issuing the permit before they are eligible to take their driving test. For example, if the state requires a 6-month permit holding period, the student must have possessed the permit for a minimum of 3 months. This requirement is based on the jurisdiction issuing the permit, not the location of the driving school.
Instructors, Vehicles, and Parent Involvement
Who are the instructors for the AMP Car Control Program?
Our instructors are highly experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in driver education. They have participated in and instructed at various driving schools, including car control, winter driving, and high-performance driving programs, many within racetrack environments. Many have backgrounds in diverse motorsports disciplines such as racing, rallying, and autocrossing. While the Street Smarts Teen Driving Program is not focused on speed or racing techniques, our instructors leverage their real-world experience to provide valuable insights and practical car control skills relevant to everyday driving situations.
Does the program provide vehicles for student use?
Yes, students will be driving brand new 2015 BMW 328i vehicles, thanks to our partnership with BMW NA. These modern vehicles offer advanced safety features and provide an excellent platform for learning car control techniques.
Is parent attendance required?
While parent attendance is not mandatory, we strongly encourage parents to attend the program with their teen drivers. We invite parents to participate in the classroom sessions and listen to the presentations. Even experienced drivers can benefit from revisiting fundamental driving principles and gaining new perspectives alongside their young drivers. Parent involvement underscores the importance of driver education and reinforces the seriousness of responsible driving for new drivers.
Do you offer an adult driving program?
The primary focus of the AMP Street Smarts Teen Driving Program is to train new drivers aged 15 to 18. Occasionally, if a class does not reach full enrollment, we may open registration to drivers of all ages during the week leading up to the program. However, this is not guaranteed for every event, even if the class limit is not met.
Waivers, Insurance, and Refunds
What types of waivers are required?
If a minor is participating in the program, parental/guardian permission is mandatory. Each student must have two signatures on a minor waiver form, unless they reside with a single parent/guardian who has sole custody. If parents/guardians cannot sign the waiver on-site in the presence of program officials, the waiver must be notarized in advance.
Waivers can be downloaded and completed beforehand via these links:
Are helmets required for students?
No, helmets are not necessary for this program. All driving exercises are conducted at low speeds, prioritizing safety and controlled learning environments.
Will completing the program qualify for an auto insurance discount?
While there are currently no nationwide blanket insurance discounts specifically for this program, we recommend contacting your auto insurance provider to inquire about potential discounts for completing a recognized driver safety course.
What is the registration fee refund policy?
Refunds for cancellations are available up to the Thursday before the event. To be eligible for a refund, you must contact the school registrar office no later than 5 PM EST on the Thursday preceding the scheduled program date. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline or for no-shows.
For any further inquiries after reviewing these FAQs, please call our office at 678-381-8527 (between 9 am – 5 pm EST). You can also visit www.AtlantaMotorsportsPark.com for more information about Atlanta Motorsports Park.
