AARP invites military personnel to take a driver safety class, free of charge, this November.
In the region, classes will take place in Brattleboro, Bennington, Springfield, and Ludlow, and in Keene, N.H.
In honor of Veterans Day and in recognition of their dedication and commitment to service, the AARP Driver Safety Program (DSP) is waiving entrance fees to its classroom courses for veterans in Vermont and across the country in November.
All military personnel, active duty or retired, are eligible to receive a free DSP classroom course during the month of November. Military personnel include those individuals who serve or have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard/Reserves, or Coast Guard.
Military spouses (including widows and widowers) and dependent children are also eligible to take the class, free, as long as they present valid military spouse, widower, or dependent identification, such as a dependent ID card or a membership card to organizations such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The classroom course normally costs $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members.
Since 1979, the AARP Driver Safety Program has helped more than 13 million drivers learn safety strategies and adapt to physical and cognitive changes related to aging. The course teaches valuable defensive driving skills and provides a refresher of the rules of the road. Plus, participants may qualify for an automobile insurance discount by completing the classroom course.
With classes offered in communities throughout Vermont, veterans should have little difficulty finding a class that's conveniently located.
Classes are limited in size, however, so those interested should call early to find a class that fits their needs. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
After signing up for a course, participants should bring a valid military identification to the classroom-such as discharge papers (DD Form 214), American Legion cards, dependent ID cards or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) cards. Participating veterans will be asked to complete a Veteran Participation Form as part of the course, which will be provided on site by the instructor.
Classes in the area include:
• Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. Registration required: 802-251-8425.
• Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St., Bennington. Tuesday, Nov. 15, noon. Registration required: 802-442-1052.
• Keene Senior Center, 17 Court St., Keene, N.H., on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10. Each class begins at 9 a.m. Registration required: 603-352-5037.
• Springfield Hospital sponsors a class at VFW Post 771 in Springfield on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 8:30 a.m. Registration required: 802-885-7686.
• Fletcher Memorial Library, 88 Main St., Ludlow on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 8:30 a.m. Registration required: 802-228-8921.
Locate other sessions online or call 888-227-7669. Please note that this promotion is for the classroom course only. It does not apply to the AARP Driver Safety Online Course.
For more information, visit the program's website or contact them at 802-888-3394 or by email.