Through the Years: Ford Driving Skills for Life

The signature safe driving program of the Ford Motor Company Fund

2003

  • Ford becomes the first vehicle manufacturer to introduce free comprehensive advanced hands-on driver training for newly licensed drivers, as Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) launches in Dearborn in partnership with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)

2004

  • Ford DSFL branches out with a hands-on driving event in Miami

2005

  • Ford DSFL expands reach with ride and drives in Washington, D.C., San Antonio and Irvine, Calif.
  • Ford DSFL distributes free educator kits to schools and community groups across the U.S.
  • Ford DSFL holds teen event called The Scene at 12 shopping malls in major U.S. markets

2006

  • Operation Teen Safe Driving launches in Tazewell County, Ill., where 15 teens had died in car crashes over a 15-month period. Ford DSFL is included to teach safe driving to students

2007 

  • Ford DSFL and GHSA begin grant initiative for states to help support teen driving programs
  • Ford DSFL launches online driver training

2008 

  • Ford DSFL goes international with programs in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines

2009

  • Ford DSFL expands globally to China and India

2010

  • Ford DSFL holds driver training at World Leadership Conference in Atlanta and Distraction Summit in Washington, D.C.
  • Ford DSFL launches in South Africa

2011

  • Ford DSFL hits the road for a 30-city, 15-state U.S. tour
  • Ford DSFL launches Strive For A Safer Drive (S4SD) program in Michigan, inviting more than 300 high schools to take part in a potentially life-saving project aimed at making students safer drivers
  • Ford DSFL partners with Usher’s New Look Foundation to host national song contest; five teens win $25,000 for creating a song focused on distracted driving

2012 

  • For the first time, The Price is Right TV show welcomes teens ages 15-18 to be contestants with their parents to highlight safe driving. Winner gets a Ford DSFL event at his or her high school
  • Ford DSFL and Michigan State University team up to produce a new video game to capture the attention of young people and help keep them safe behind the wheel
  • Ford DSFL adds stops in Vancouver, British Columbia and San Juan, Puerto Rico

2013

  • Ford DSFL launches across Europe – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom

2014

  • Ford DSFL launches rebuilt website with enhanced social media, stronger parent section, updated Academy online learning and downloadable resources for teachers and parents
  • Ford DSFL programs are scheduled on the weekends to provide more opportunities for parents to attend
  • Ford DSFL expands in Europe, launching in Belgium, Russia and Romania
  • Ford DSFL holds Drugged Driving Seminar in Columbus, Ohio

2015

  • Ford DSFL reaches milestone of hosting free, hands-on training in all 50 states
  • Ford DSFL launches in Australia
  • Ford DSFL Drunk Driving Suit unveiled

2016  

  • Ford DSFL surpasses 1 million people trained
  • Ford DSFL debuts Drugged Driving and Hangover Suits
  • Ford DSFL expands to South America with a campaign in Argentina

2017  

  • Ford DSFL returns to Tazewell County, Ill., where traffic deaths among young people have fallen by more than 50 percent since launch of Operation Teen Safe Driving
  • More than 32,000 students across the United States take part in a first-ever Ford DSFL virtual assembly to learn about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving

2018

  • Ford Motor Company and Jeddah-based Effat University complete the inaugural session of Ford DSFL for Her – a specially designed program for women seeking their first driver’s license in Saudi Arabia
  • In recognition of its 15th anniversary, Ford DSFL recognizes six dedicated safety advocates from across the United States as Unsung Heroes of Highway Safety