Mishawaka driving schools taking safety precautions amid COVID-19

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – Driving schools in Mishawaka are adapting to the changes amidst the coronavirus outbreak. However, many are finding it difficult to social distance when they are behind the wheel.

At Frick’s Driving School, they’ve implemented new rules for student driver’s safety.  These new precautions include wearing masks inside the classroom and in the car. Online classes for drivers Ed are also offered, however students must complete six hours of behind the wheel instruction.

Jerry Amstutz, a driving instructor at Frick’s Driving School said cars are regularly wiped down and disinfected with Lysol between drivers.

“One big thing is we use to be able to pick them up in their house and then we drive the other driver home, no everything is dropped off and picked up here at the office,” Amstutz said.

At DrivRite Driving School in Mishawaka they also have safety measures in place to keep students safe. They’ve had to cut down on tables and are limiting their classroom sizes to fifteen students. Even though they are taking extra precautions to keep their students safe, Arnie Horowitz, the owner of DrivRite and a driving instructor himself said it’s difficult to maintain social distancing during behind the wheel instructions.

“We keep the windows opened to keep air circulating, and we take a couple of breaks because it can be a little annoying or fatiguing, wearing a mask for sixty minutes,”  Horowitz said. “ So, we’ll take a break at a park or something like that and stretch our legs. Maybe take the mask off so they can get some fresh air.”

Every student is required to wear a face mask and their temperature will be taking before each class, as well as when they go in the car with an instructor.