Volunteer with the AARP Driver Safety Program

By: AARP Volunteer Services | Source: AARP.org | Date Posted:

Looking for a way to give back to your community? We need your help to make the AARP Driver Safety Program available to all who want to improve and maintain their driving skills. The AARP Driver Safety Program is taught and administered by a nationwide network of AARP-trained volunteers. Without our volunteers, the AARP Driver Safety Program would not exist! As a volunteer, you'll receive training, and you'll be reimbursed for approved program related expenses. If you are fluent in Spanish and English, we would love to hear from you.

What You Gain by Becoming a Volunteer

As a volunteer you can:

Contribute to the health, safety and happiness of others in your community
Receive appreciation from the people you help
Participate in a thorough orientation and training
Learn new skills
Meet and exchange ideas with other volunteers

Volunteer Positions

You have the opportunity to fill a variety of challenging and rewarding volunteer opportunities throughout the state, including:

Instructors
Instructors teach the AARP Driver Safety Program at least three times per year. Each course typically consists of two 4-hour sessions. Instructors are trained by our program trainers and prior teaching experience is not required. Candidates must take the AARP Driver Safety Program as a pre-requisite to training. Out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed and a mileage reimbursement is also provided. Instructors also participate in annual or semiannual local Instructor workshops to maintain and enhance their skills. The most important qualities for Instructors are good communication skills and a strong interest in promoting safe driving.

Coordinators
Coordinators recruit and supervise instructors, complete Instructor reviews, plan and conduct annual or semi-annual Instructor workshops, promote the program and work with local sponsors. Coordinators also attend planning meetings in their state as needed. Coordinator positions involve a greater time commitment (at least several hours per week) and often require some reimbursable travel within your city, county or state. Coordinators are chosen for their management and leadership abilities.

Trainers
Trainers coordinate and conduct training/certification of classroom Instructors. As a trainer, you will be responsible for qualifying applicants, organizing training classes, and monitoring at least one Driver Safety Program class per year. Instructors spend several hours per week on average and often travel throughout the state.

Telephone Coordinator
Telephone Coordinators provide information to people who phone our toll-free hotline wanting to take the AARP Driver Safety Course. You'll receive training in retrieving recorded voice-mail messages. You can work entirely from home (access to a touch-tone phone is required; no other special equipment needed. Some reimbursable long-distance phone calls and reimbursable local travel may be involved.

How You Can Apply

Complete the online application form to receive more information about volunteer opportunities with the AARP Driver Safety Program.

Testimonials: What Other Driver Safety Volunteers Are Saying

"I love the interaction with the people. Every class I learn something from them, as I hope they learn something from me. And it's a wonderful experience meeting all sorts of different people and sharing the knowledge that I have." Instructor, Md.

"It's not just about the insurance. I tell them, yes, you may have a reduction in the cost of your insurance. But it is what you've brought to this class. You're here. You're going to share this information. And you're going to actually enact what you've learned. You're going to put it into practice. And that's really what it's all about." Instructor, Va.

"You get to meet a lot of people. You have the fun of helping people and you get some adventure and you get something out of it yourself." Trainer, Md.

"I think the biggest thing is that when people come up to you and thank you and say ‘we learned so much, it's been so wonderful.' That makes it all worthwhile." Coordinator, Del.