Small Town News

Lassen College continues to offer driving program

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"Somewhere around town there is a rumor that the college is doing away with this program because the high school has decided to not do the classroom part of the driving test," Dave Trussell, drivers training coordinator said.

Lassen Community College is still offering its driving training program for high school students needing their driving hours in order to go to the next step in achieving their license.

"We're going to keep teaching this as long as the state will allow us the means to do so," Trussell said about the program.

The cost to take the class is $220 per student, and the only alternative for the parents of Lassen County is to go to Redding at least three separate times in order to achieve the required number of hours.

The cost for the driving program through other means will still cost parents about $100 more with the time and travel costs on top of the initial driving fee.

Trussell has been working hard to ensure high school students who are ready for their license will get the right amount of training without getting in the way of their regular schedule. The number of hours needed is a total of six, driving in two-hour blocks over three sessions.

"The college is very fortunate to have five instructors who are able to work with different types of schedules," Trussell said. "There are even instructors who are willing to work weekends and holidays."

TrusseU has also ensured more than one car to offer the students.

One he is renting which has raised the fees for the program, but it was necessary in order to secure the flexibility needed to make the program be a success.

"As soon as they get their permits, they are able to schedule their driving hours," Trussell said.

"There are plenty of kids who are registered who don't have their permits."

It's a bit more challenging for students to obtain their permit because there is no longer a class at the high school being offered as an elective to learn about driver's training.

Though it is now slightly more difficult in receiving a driver's permit, there is the option for students to go online and achieve the driver education portion on the Web.

There are several different Web sites available and students may choose any online course recognized by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Approved Web sites include: abcdriverseducation.com, all-gooddrivers.com and teen-drivereducation.com.

Lassen High and LCC do not endorse any Web site but they are recognized by the DMV.

"Once they pass the written exam, they can call 249-2399 and schedule whatever hours they need to get the driving portion taken care of," Trussell said.

The program goes aU year-round and students are able to complete their drivers training even in the summer if needed.

For more information and a complete list of online courses contact Dave Trussell at 257-8829 or go to the Humanities building at the college, room #103.



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© 2009 Westwood PinePress Westwood, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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