premium driving school
London
When new drivers are improperly instructed on the fundamentals of driving, and
the “rules of the road” it negatively affects everyone’s safety on Missouri
roadways. Unfortunately, schools have been eliminating driver education from
their curriculum nationwide; including schools in Springfield. In September,
2019, Mercy Hospital phased out their driving education program costing
Southwest Missourian’s their most trusted driver training program. A lack of
community resources means parents are forced to shoulder the responsibility of
driver training. Parents understand introducing their teenager to driving can be
a unique challenge. Scheduling time for Parent/Teen driving instruction is
difficult and lessons often create stress, conflict and tensions in the family
unit. We’re convinced there is a better way to develop better drivers. In
September, 2019, Todd Vermillion, a retired Sergeant and Dan Bracker, a retired
Lieutenant both from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Partnered and opened
Premier Driving Academy. With over 50 years of combined law enforcement
experience, they recognize the inherent risks involved in operating motor
vehicles, particularly for young, inexperienced drivers. They collaborated with
industry leaders and administrators and developed a proven curriculum that makes
their student drivers the perfect candidates for success. Premier’s teen driving
program includes six, one hour, in-car driving lessons. Every lesson is tailored
to the strengths and weaknesses of each individual student driver. The
curriculum is based on a four step lesson plan; instructor explains, as student
performs the task, instructor checks for understanding, student explains, then
evaluated. The student will succeed in driving with repetition and practice. The
goal at Premier is to develop skilled drivers for a lifetime. Dan Bracker,
Lieutenant, retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 2018, with more
than 26 years of service. During his 10 year tenure as Public Information
Officer, Dan presented driver education classes at numerous southwest Missouri
high schools. He has presented highway safety and personal safety education
programs to many civic, and private industry groups. Most importantly, he
passionately instructed both daughters to drive. Todd Vermillion, Sergeant,
retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 2021, with more than 25 years
of service. Todd was a Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)
specialist instructor in the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (E.V.O.C.) for
over 11 years; training law enforcement officers in the safe operation of police
vehicles during high stress, high speed maneuvers while providing in-car
instruction. He also taught his three children to drive safely for life.
