To recognize and thank military veterans for their service, AARP Driver Safety is offering a free classroom course to all members of the U.S. armed forces - active duty, veteran, guard or reserve - regardless of age, during November. This offer is available to individuals who serve or have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard/Reserves or Coast Guard. Spouses (including domestic partners, widows and widowers), dependents and children are also eligible.
Why take the course? Cars have changed since you first received your driver's license - so have the traffic rules, driving conditions and the roads you travel on every day. Even the most experienced drivers can benefit from brushing up on driving skills. The AARP Driver Safety course teaches valuable defensive driving techniques and provides a refresher about the rules of the road. Plus, by completing the course you could qualify for an automobile insurance discount of five percent for three years from your insurance company. (Contact your insurance agent for details.) To redeem the free offer, all veterans and dependents must fill out all required fields on the coupon that will be provided by the instructor. No additional identification is needed. You must have a Pennsylvania driver's license.
Those who have not taken the course before or within the last 3.5-years will need to take the AARP eight-hour course. Those who have taken the course in the last 3.5-years may take the four-hour refresher course. There are no written or road tests!
Last year, 94 individuals took one of the five AARP courses in Warren; half were Veterans. This year, three courses are scheduled in Warren and two in Sheffield.
In Warren, the Allegheny Community Center (ACC), 42 Clark St., will host the eight-hour course on Nov. 7 and 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., taught by Larry Jackson. An additional eight-hour course, if needed, is scheduled at the ACC on Nov. 19 and 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., taught by Charles Merroth. The four-hour refresher course is scheduled for the ACC on Nov. 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. and will be taught by Charles Merroth. Register early as class size is limited to 25; call the ACC at 723-3237.
Sheffield Senior Center (SSC), 511 S. Main St., will host the eight-hour course on Nov. 14 and 15 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The four-hour refresher course is scheduled for the SSC, on Nov. 28 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., both taught by Larry Jackson. Register early as class size is limited to 25; call 968-5667.
For those who do not qualify to take the course free you can also attend the classes, but each class is $14 per person, ($12 for AARP members) paid by check to AARP or cash to the instructor before the class. You do not have to be a member of AARP to take the course.