MILWAUKEE — More than a thousand Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students will have the shot to sign up for low-cost driver's education classes beginning Tuesday morning.
MPS Drive registration for the winter and spring sessions opens Tuesday at 10 a.m.
MPS Drive, an MKE Recreation program, was started to address racial and income disparities when it comes to driver's education. The class is offered for the cost of a learner's permit which is just $35.
Despite the number of seats available being nearly doubled, MPS drives still expects seats to fill up quickly.
Kyla Chester-Hopkins, a senior at Pathways High School, went through the program last year. Between chasing after her siblings, participating in internships, and applying to college, she said getting her driver's license was crucial.
"I have multiple siblings and then because I do so many internships outside of school, my dad getting me to those internships and also getting my siblings to school and then he also has a bunch of work meetings. It was really hard to be able to be like how could I get there without having to ask my dad," Chester-Hopkins said.
The only reason she didn't sign up for driver's education classes earlier is because they are typically hundreds of dollars.
"It was like $300 and because of how expensive it was it was like I can't afford that and my family can't afford that," she said.
She said they were able to participate in immersive experiences during the driver's education classes. One simulated what it's like to drive intoxicated. Her class was also taught about reckless driving, which Chester-Hopkins sees plenty of now that she has her license.
"I get very anxious when I'm driving, especially when I first started driving on the highway. People are terrible at driving. I've seen multiple car crashes," Chester-Hopkins said.
She hopes now that more seats are available more of her peers will be able to have the chance to sign up and learn safe driving techniques.
The certified program helps students receive their temporary permits. Students must be currently enrolled in an MPS school and be at least 15 years old by the beginning of the class start date but not older than 17.5 by the last day of class.
RELATED: MPS Drive nearly doubles seats available for winter session, provides equity in driver's education
All MPS students are already in the system for MPS Drive.
A typical driver's ed class costs about $500 on average. MPS Drive is offering the classes for $35. Thanks to a $45,000 donation and COVID relief money, Milwaukee Recreation was able to double the number of seats offered per session to nearly 1,200.
To register for MPS Drive's Winter Session, visit Milwaukee Recreation's website. Registration opens at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Registration is first come, first serve. The program is for MPS Students between the ages of 15 and 17 and a half.
