Milwaukee Recreation recently gave out its 10,000th probationary license to a Milwaukee Public Schools student through its MPS Drive program.
Now, registration for the winter semester is here. Students can choose between taking classes in person, online or a mix of both formats in addition to getting their driving hours behind the wheel with an instructor.
Milwaukee Recreation started the MPS Drive program 10 years ago to remove barriers to driver’s education.
“We noticed that more of the suburb kids were getting their permits over our inner-city kids,” said Jodie Donabar, driver’s education supervisor at Milwaukee Recreation. “We wanted to develop something that would take away all the barriers, and money is the biggest barrier.”
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming driver’s education classes and how you can join.
Who can take classes?
Any student attending Milwaukee Public Schools from the ages of 15 to 17 and a half can sign up through MPS Drive. Students at some schools chartered through MPS can join as well.
To verify if your student’s charter school is eligible, call 414-647-6050.
Nicole Jacobson, citywide program manager, said Milwaukee Recreation also offers a limited number of seats in community-based driver’s education classes for non-MPS students. These classes cost $150 for residents. You can register for those classes here.
How do I sign up?
You can sign up through the Milwaukee Recreation registration site here.
Jacobson said students signing up for MPS Drive already have an account to sign up. Students should sign in using the first seven digits of their student ID. Their pin should be their last name with the first letter capitalized.
Students interested in the community-based program will need to be signed up through a parent’s account. To create a parent’s account, you’ll need a username, email and password. You will be asked to provide your name, address, phone number, date of birth and information for any other family members interested in Milwaukee Recreation activities.
Once signed in, pick the class format, dates, time and location that works best for you, then click “add to selection list” and “add to cart.”
The first segment of winter driver’s education is full, but segments in February, March and May are still open.
Where are the classes?
Classes are available in-person within the high schools, a hybrid format using both online and in-person classes or an entirely online course that students have 90 days to complete.
All classes, including online courses, will include behind-the-wheel lessons with six hours of observation and six hours of driving, Donabar said.
How much does it cost?
The program has a $35 fee, which is used to cover the costs of the driver’s permit. This fee includes classroom education and practice time behind the wheel.
What if I’m over the age limit?
If you’re over the age limit, you can take your test without completing a driver’s education program when you turn 18. You will need to pass the written permit test, which you can prepare for by studying the Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook and taking practice permit tests.
After you receive your permit, you can practice driving with someone who holds a Class D driver’s license that is not probationary. You can then schedule a road test at the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles.
Those 18 and older can ask for tutoring help with the written permit test from local driving schools. You can also take a class at a private driving school, which costs on average $500 to $700.
My student is nervous about driving. Any advice?
Donabar said Milwaukee Recreation partners with Children’s Wisconsin to incorporate resources to manage the excitement and nervousness students might feel in their classes.
She also recommends that even if students are nervous or might not plan on driving, they try the course anyway to learn other useful information.
“If you don’t feel comfortable driving, then that’s OK,” Donabar said. “At least you know the rules of the road.”
Alex Klaus is the education solutions reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.
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