The Street Survival School is a must for all teen drivers. When teen drivers attend this school, they learn to drive their car in a safe and controlled way, and they learn and practice driving skills that will keep them safe on the road.
The school is a full day, from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We provide coffee, juice and donuts, lunch, and liquid refreshments throughout the day for students, parents, and volunteers.
Class size is limited to 30 students. Students must be between 15 and 20 years of age and must have had their learner’s permit for at least half the time the issuing state requires before taking their driver’s test or has a full driver’s license. Registration preference will be given to the children of a PCA Chicago Region member, however, that is not a requirement in order to send your teen to our school.
Students drive their own vehicle or the one they most frequently drive on a daily basis. If two siblings are attending an event together, and the car they both drive on a daily basis is the same, they may share a vehicle.
High Center of Gravity Vehicles (HCGs) such as SUVs, SAVs, Trucks, Jeep-type vehicles, and Minivans are verified on a case-by-case basis and may not be allowed. The older HCGs without electronic stability control (not just the electronic traction control) will not be accepted. HCG vehicles may still be limited with respect to the exercises in which they are allowed to participate based on local venue conditions.
The day is a mixture of classroom and in-car exercises. The students spend about two hours in three classroom sessions where they learn the theory of safe driving. Except for an hour break for lunch, the rest of the time is spent driving their car in a series of 5 or 6 exercises that simulate real world driving conditions.
Students learn how they and their car can cope with actual driving situations. Instructors will ride with the students and provide immediate feedback, and students will drive each exercise many times, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and develop and practice correct driving techniques.
Parents are encouraged to attend our school. They may sit in on the classroom presentations and observe the driving exercises.
Please watch this short video to learn more.
For more information go to http://streetsurvival.org/schools/frequently-asked-questions/
Student and/or student’s family member should bring the completed waiver forms (see Documents sidebar on this page) with you and have them ready to present to the registration personnel. If the student is under 18 years of age, the waiver must be signed by all of the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) in front of PCA registration personnel.
If the student is under the age of eighteen and a parent or guardian is not attending the event, the absent parent/guardian’s signature on the waiver form must be notarized.
Starting in 2025, the Chicago Region will be holding two Street Survival Schools each year. Once in the Spring and once in the Fall. Check our event schedule to see when the schools will be offered.
