A driver’s education program is returning to St. Joseph this summer.

According to St. Joseph Safety and Health Council Executive Director Sheldon Lyon, the program includes 30 classroom hours, six hours of driving and 12 hours of observation.

While the complete driver’s ed program has not been available in St. Joseph since 2014, Lyon said they have offered the classroom portion of driver’s ed the past two years.

“(It) was very well received and very popular, but families wanted that time behind the wheel and they’re right, their young drivers are inexperienced and they needed windshield time,” Lyon said. “The number one killer of students age 16 to 19 years of age is not disease, it’s not violence, it’s their car. So what a great way to provide them with that training, it helps safeguard them while they spend the most dangerous hours of the day behind the wheel, whether it’s going to and from school, out with their friends, that type of thing.”

The program starts June 4th and there are morning or afternoon classes for drivers ages 15 to 19.

For more information on times and cost, contact the St. Joseph Safety Council at (816) 233-3330 or click here.

Lyon said there are spots reserved for students from low income families and to contact the Safety Council for more information.