2027 Driving Skills for Success Events will be held in Grand Forks and Fargo. Stay tuned for dates and details!
Driving Skills for Success is a hands-on, educational driving experience designed to help young drivers develop the skills, confidence, and awareness needed to make safer decisions behind the wheel.
Hosted by the North Dakota Department of Transportation's Vision Zero program in collaboration with traffic safety partners, this event provides young drivers with an opportunity to gain valuable real-world driving experience in a safe, controlled environment. Through interactive driving exercises and guidance from experienced instructors, participants learn how to recognize potential hazards, improve vehicle control, and respond to challenging driving situations.
The program emphasizes defensive driving techniques, hazard recognition, and the importance of making responsible decisions behind the wheel. By allowing participants to experience situations they may not encounter during traditional driver education, Driving Skills for Success helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world driving.
Our goal is simple: to equip young drivers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make safe choices every time they get behind the wheel.
Driving Skills for Success supports North Dakota's Vision Zero initiative and its mission to eliminate motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways. Through education, experience, and community partnerships, we are working to create a safer future for the next generation of drivers.
- There are nearly 48,000 teenage drivers (14-19) in ND.
- In 2025, ND teenage drivers accounted for almost 9 percent of all licensed drivers but were involved in nearly 21% the state's 9,809 crashes.
- Over the past 5 years in ND, 26 teenage drivers have died in vehicle crashes.
Driving Skills for Success
- People are taking photos and videos during this event, if you didn’t sign the talent release forms it is up to you to turn around or step outside of the frame.
- Snacks and drinks are available throughout the day.
- Teens with a permit or license between the ages of 14-18 may participate in the Vision Zero Driving Skills for Success which is a free event.
- Teens may sign up for either the morning session or afternoon session.
- Parents are also encouraged to attend the event with their teen.
- Teens without a permit or license may still attend the event but cannot participate in any of the driving stations.
- The unpermitted driver can sit in back seat and watch while another student participates.
- Parents cannot attend this portion.
- The ND Safety Council also provides Alive at 25 defensive driving courses. More information can be found HERE
- Alive at 25 is an interactive four-hour classroom course that is designed to reduce the likelihood of young drivers ending up in a vehicle crash.
- ATV Safety
- Car Care Clinic / Vehicle Maintenance
- Danger in Every Step (DIES) – Impairment Simulation
- Driver & Officer Interaction
- Distracted Driving Course
- Motorcycle Simulator
- No Zone – Semi-Truck Blind Spots / Share the Road
- Operation Lifesaver – Railroad Safety
- Parallel Parking
- Pedal Carts
- Snowplow and Work Zone Safety
- School Bus Safety
- Safe Trailering
- Virtual Driving Simulator
- SIDNE – Impaired Driving Simulation
- Seat Belt Safety
- Roadside Emergencies
- Post-Crash Response
- ABATE of North Dakota
- Capital City Lions Club
- Bismarck North Star Lions Club
Contact
Chris Keller, Program Manager
Highway Safety Division, North Dakota Department of Transportation
701.328.4354
chrisrkeller@nd.gov