Building from our successful License to the Future Program and looking to expand our work to get the next generation behind the wheel, the Hagerty Drivers Foundation partnered with New Visions for Public Schools (NYC public school non-profit) to help launch their new “Auto-Pilot” Program.  

The New Visions “Auto-Pilot” program prepares students in New York City, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, for careers by supporting their efforts to obtain a driver’s license, a crucial asset for entry-level employment associated with many civil service and union jobs. The Foundation’s education grant will fund driver education and road tests for students, eliminating financial barriers to receiving this training. 

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, drivers aged 16 to 24 constitute only 12 percent of licensed drivers in New York State. This proportion is anticipated to be even lower in New York City, given the prevalence of robust public transportation systems. Over 85% of the students that participated in the inaugural Auto-Pilot program did not grow up with a vehicle in their home or with parents that drove.