Start Smart Program
PARKING PERMIT CLASS REQUIREMENT
The Start Smart Program will be held in person for the 2023-2024 school year. The program will be presented in person with a live CHP Officer. Currently, only students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 can participate in these courses. Students who have not previously attended a Start Smart course must attend one course to be eligible to purchase a parking pass at their high school. One parent or guardian must attend the class with the student. The student must complete the registration form using their SRVUSD email.
You must check with your school site for availability of parking passes. Just because your student took the class does not guarantee a parking spot on your school campus.
TEEN DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM TO EMPHASIZE SAFETY AT SAN RAMON VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOLS
SRVUSD has implemented a system for students who wish to obtain on-campus parking permits that emphasizes traffic safety. SRVUSD in partnership with Street Smarts and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will sponsor free one-hour CHP Start Smart classes. Students and their parent/guardian must attend one free one-two hour CHP Start Smart class in order to be eligible for a parking permit at all SRVUSD High Schools.
The Start Smart presentations provide an opportunity for teens and their parents/guardians to discuss the serious laws, obligations, responsibilities and family expectations that are part of driving a vehicle. The goal is to promote and create safe driving habits around SRVUSD schools.
At this class, officers from the California Highway Patrol will discuss traffic avoidance techniques, collision causing factors, driver/parent responsibilities and seat belt usage. All SRVUSD comprehensive high schools will offer 2-3 free classes each year that are open to anyone. The class must only be taken once during a student’s high school career and must be taken at a SRVUSD High School location.
CLASS INFORMATION
The program will be presented in person with a live CHP Officer presentation.
To access the form to sign up, you must use your student Gmail account. Non SRVUSD emails will not have access to the form.
2024-2025 School year classes: Students can sign up for any of these classes. They do not have to attend the school where the class is being offered.
Please note: We are waiting for confirmation of one more class in February. Information coming soon.
The last class for the year will be April 2nd until August. Please sign up accordingly.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - Location Monte Vista High School Theater 7:00pm
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - Location San Ramon Valley High School Theater 7:00pm
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Location Dougherty Valley High School Theater 7:00pm
One parent/guardian must attend this class with their student in person
At least one parent must attend with their teen and stay for the whole presentation. (Note: The presentation contains graphic “accident” images, which are unsuitable for children under 15 years old.)
IMPORTANT: Students must attend a class version specific to SRVUSD to be eligible to apply for a student parking permit.
Email tcastelluccio@srvusd.netFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Start Smart?
CHP’s Start Smart Driving Safety Class is a free, one-hour, driver safety education class for students between the ages of 15-20 years old and their parents/guardians. Start Smart provides an opportunity for teens and their parents/guardians to discuss the serious laws, obligations, responsibilities and family expectations that are part of driving a car. The goal is to promote and create safe driving habits around SRVUSD schools.
CHP’s Start Smart Driving Safety Class is a free, one-hour, driver safety education class for students between the ages of 15-20 years old and their parents/guardians. Start Smart provides an opportunity for teens and their parents/guardians to discuss the serious laws, obligations, responsibilities and family expectations that are part of driving a car. The goal is to promote and create safe driving habits around SRVUSD schools.
Why does a parent/guardian also have to take the class?
The Start Smart class provides an opportunity for teens and their parents/guardians to discuss the serious laws, obligations and responsibilities, and family expectations that are part of driving a car.
Can a student take the class if they don’t have their license yet?
Yes, a student can take a class if they don't have their license yet. They just need to be 15-years-old at the time of the class.
Yes, a student can take a class if they don't have their license yet. They just need to be 15-years-old at the time of the class.
What is discussed in the class?
Officers from the California Highway Patrol will discuss traffic avoidance techniques, collision causing factors, driver/parent responsibilities and seatbelt usage.
Officers from the California Highway Patrol will discuss traffic avoidance techniques, collision causing factors, driver/parent responsibilities and seatbelt usage.
When are the classes offered?
All SRVUSD high schools will offer several classes each year. Classes will be offered in person.
All SRVUSD high schools will offer several classes each year. Classes will be offered in person.
What if I can’t make it to one of the classes?
There will be multiple opportunities for students and their parent/guardian to take a class at an SRVUSD school throughout every school year. Students can attend any of the classes held at SRVUSD’s four comprehensive high schools.
There will be multiple opportunities for students and their parent/guardian to take a class at an SRVUSD school throughout every school year. Students can attend any of the classes held at SRVUSD’s four comprehensive high schools.
How do I prove that I went to a Start Smart class?
Students and their parent or guardian will need to sign-in at the class. This list will be provided to the school district for data entry. Parking pass eligibility will be recorded in the additional information section of Infinite Campus and can be viewed through the parent portal. Certificates of completion will only be received if requested.
Students and their parent or guardian will need to sign-in at the class. This list will be provided to the school district for data entry. Parking pass eligibility will be recorded in the additional information section of Infinite Campus and can be viewed through the parent portal. Certificates of completion will only be received if requested.
How do I get my parking pass after attending?
Taking the class will not guarantee a parking pass. Parking passes will be distributed by schools based on a first come basis or a lottery process (at SRVHS). Students should check with their individual schools for the specific process.
Taking the class will not guarantee a parking pass. Parking passes will be distributed by schools based on a first come basis or a lottery process (at SRVHS). Students should check with their individual schools for the specific process.
Do I have to take a class each school year to get a parking pass?
The class must only be taken once during a student’s high school career.
The class must only be taken once during a student’s high school career.
My insurance requires a specific class to get the extra safe driver program discount. Can this be used in place of the Start Smart Program to qualify for a parking permit?
This class does count for some insurance companies. Check with your carrier and let them know that it is the CHP Start Smart class.
This class does count for some insurance companies. Check with your carrier and let them know that it is the CHP Start Smart class.
