The Ford Driving Skills for Life programme brought professional instructors and practical vehicle-control exercises to young drivers in Southern California.
Ford organised three free advanced driving clinics to help newly licensed and learner drivers develop skills that are not always covered in conventional driver education.
According to a joint announcement published by the California Office of Traffic Safety, the Ford Driving Skills for Life sessions were held on June 20, 2026, at Manheim San Diego in Oceanside, near Camp Pendleton.
The programme particularly targeted teenagers from military and veteran families in the San Diego area. Vehicles were provided, and participation was free with advance registration.
Practical training in a controlled environment
Teenagers worked with professional instructors to practise hazard recognition, vehicle handling and skid control. The controlled training environment allowed participants to experience challenging situations without being exposed to the risks of normal traffic.
The sessions also examined how decisions made behind the wheel can affect pedestrians, cyclists, electric scooter users and other drivers.
Established in 2003, Ford Driving Skills for Life is intended to supplement standard driver education. The programme focuses on practical situations that inexperienced drivers may not encounter while preparing for a driving test.
Training covered:
- Hazard recognition and risk awareness
- Vehicle handling and emergency control
- Skid recognition and recovery
- Awareness of pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders
- Safer decision-making in real-world traffic situations
Electric vehicles included in the programme
The California event also introduced participants to battery-electric vehicles. Teenagers had the opportunity to drive Ford models such as the Mustang Mach-E under instructor supervision.
A separate activity gave parents and guardians experience with electric vehicles and modern advanced driver-assistance systems on public roads. Trained instructors demonstrated how these technologies operate and discussed their role in supporting safer driving.
Including parents in the programme is particularly significant because family members often supervise teenagers during the learner stage and influence the habits they carry into independent driving.
Partnership involving road safety organisations
The clinics were delivered through a partnership between Ford Philanthropy, Ford’s Proud to Honor initiative, the Governors Highway Safety Association and the California Office of Traffic Safety.
The programme was scheduled alongside Ford’s Proud to Honor Family Festival and ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series event in San Diego. While the motor racing event placed attention on speed and performance, the training programme emphasised control, awareness and safety on public roads.
Practical post-licence training can help young drivers understand how quickly control may be lost and how factors such as speed, distraction and poor observation can reduce the time available to respond.
For newly licensed drivers, this type of controlled experience can provide an important bridge between passing the driving test and managing complex situations independently.
