11/15/2024
Dear SLT Community,
It is with a heavy heart that I share the possibility that Lake Tahoe Driving Academy may soon halt driving lessons for high school teenagers. Over the past three years, I have proudly provided more than 2,000 hours of driving instruction, becoming the only DMV-certified driving instructor in the area to include winter driving skills at no additional cost.
If our academy is forced to suspend operations, STHS will become the only local option for the DMV-mandated 6-hour driving instruction for students under 18. Unfortunately, they are sometimes backlogged up to year. The next nearest driving school is in Truckee, requiring a three-hour round trip for parents, plus waiting two hours for the lesson—amounting to 3 five-hour days.
Why This is Happening
The driving school I partnered with, EZ Way Driving out of Auburn, is facing astronomical insurance rate increases and rising fuel costs, which may force them to withdraw their services from South Lake Tahoe. While they are an admirable company and will fully honor or refund any remaining lessons for current students, their challenges leave our community with severely limited options for safe and accessible driving instruction.
There is a Solution—But I Need Your Help
The DMV has given me the option to operate as an Independent Instructor, but this comes with significant restrictions and requirements. I have met all these requirements except one: a Teaching Credential Waiver from the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD). I have tried to get his Waiver but STHS has not returned my calls, even thought their own driving instructor has requested my assistance due to being overwhelmed. I reached out to the LTUSD Superintendent, but received no response until I involved LTUSD Board Member Laurie Kemper. She immediately helped arrange a meeting, but despite assurances at the meeting they would follow up, the superintendent later declined to help, curtly citing “legal concerns.” I’ve been denied the opportunity to address these legal concerns directly with the LTUSD legal advisor, which I am confident I can resolve.
How You Can Help
If you believe our teenagers deserve proper driving instruction that includes critical winter driving skills, please reach out to the following LTUSD officials and request that I be allowed to meet directly with the district’s legal counsel:
Dr. Todd Cutler, Superintendent - [email protected] or (530) 541-2850 x1025
Valerie Mansfield, Board President - [email protected]
Why This Matters
If I am allowed to operate independently our teenagers' will continue to get the best instruction possible, including winter driving. Additionally, I can now control the price and I intend to implement discounted lessons for low-income families and even lessons at no charge to those with the greatest financial need. This is not about money—it’s about ensuring the safety of our teens and everyone sharing the road with them.
It’s unfortunate that my efforts over the past two years to resolve this quietly have gone unanswered. While escalating this issue publicly may not sit well with some, my sole intent is to advocate for the safety and well-being of our teenagers—not to make friends.
If you have any questions or alternative solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your support,
John Gomez
Tahoe Driving Academy
(530) 208-7800
[email protected]
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