Free winter driving class this weekend in Kellogg

KELLOGG — North Idaho drivers can get a head start on winter driving safety when the Idaho Transportation Department and Idaho State Police host a free winter driving class from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Kellogg City Hall, 1007 McKinley Ave.

The class is the first in a series of free winter driving courses being offered across North Idaho this fall and winter to help motorists prepare for hazardous road conditions before the season's first snowstorm arrives.

The first snowstorm of the season may still be weeks away, but frosty mornings and icy roads can arrive much sooner. ITD and ISP are encouraging drivers to prepare now before winter weather catches them by surprise.

Classes will be offered nearly every week from early October through December, giving drivers multiple opportunities to attend. Most sessions are scheduled Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, with an additional Wednesday evening class from 6 to 8 p.m. in early November. Ten classes are currently scheduled, and additional dates and locations are being added.

Seating is limited and classes can fill quickly, so participants are encouraged to register online in advance for the date that works best for them.

Classes are open to everyone but are especially geared toward young drivers, people new to Idaho and those with limited experience driving in winter conditions.

“We don’t want anyone’s first winter driving lesson to happen in the middle of a snowstorm,” ISP Trooper Eric O’Brien said. “Whether you’re a teenager heading into your first winter behind the wheel or you recently moved to Idaho from someplace a little warmer, the goal is to help you think through these situations before you encounter them on the road.”

The classes are classroom-based only and do not include behind-the-wheel instruction. A driver's license is not required to participate. Teens as young as 14 are encouraged to attend if they plan to complete driver's education within the next year.

The program brings ITD and ISP together to cover both sides of winter travel: how to prepare for and drive safely in challenging conditions, and what drivers need to know about the crews working to keep highways safe.

Topics include preparing vehicles for winter, maintaining control on snow and ice, responding to crashes or slide-offs, understanding changing road conditions, safely sharing the road with snowplows and using Idaho's 511 system to check travel conditions before departing.

Participants who complete the course will also be eligible for 10% off new snow tires at any Les Schwab Tire Center location in North Idaho. Les Schwab is a trusted travel safety partner and ongoing regional sponsor of the winter driving classes.

Classes are free, but seating is limited and registration is required. Additional information, class schedules, and registration details are available at www.itd.idaho.gov.

Additional classes will continue to be added statewide. Drivers in other parts of Idaho are encouraged to check the website regularly as winter driving classes become available in their areas.