The Summit County Sheriff’s Office has launched a free introductory driving class to try to decrease the number of people driving without a driver’s license. Deputies on the newly created community outreach team identified a gap in access to information about obtaining a driver’s license, particularly affecting members of the Spanish-speaking community with low English proficiency, and the class was designed to address this issue.The class covers essential topics for obtaining a driver’s license, including required legal documents, fingerprinting procedures, and written test preparation. They also provide a safe space for participants to ask general questions about the licensing process, such as how to handle the translation of documents or what additional requirements might apply.Classes are held every second Saturday of the month at the Summit County Library at 5 p.m.“Deputy Daniela Anderson has been instrumental in developing and leading the program, organizing the curriculum and fostering a welcoming, supportive environment. Since its launch, the class has seen steady participation, with 30-40 attendees each month, coming from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries. … Many attendees have shared success stories after obtaining their drivers licenses or driving privilege cards,” the Sheriff’s Office said.Anderson, who emigrated to the United States and became a citizen as a young adult, shares a lived experience with many others who go through a similar process.“I know what it feels like, and I just want to help,” said Anderson.She emphasized the importance of trust between the police and community, noting that many people who come from different countries may have an ingrained fear of asking questions or reaching out to law enforcement.“The sheriff and I want the community to know they can report and come to us with anything,” said Anderson. “They don’t need to be afraid, no matter where they’re coming from.”Anderson explained how a language barrier can lead to serious consequences for those who don’t fully understand the instructions when they receive a ticket. She regularly tests participants’ comprehension in class by explaining in English what happens after a ticket is issued — like having to pay the fine within five to 14 days to avoid a warrant for arrest. She will then ask if they understand, and she has found that most of the class cannot recall the key details. Without a clear understanding, people risk escalating problems, like getting arrested or losing their driver’s license, simply because they didn’t understand the instructions, said Anderson. Another potential barrier of not understanding the process to obtain a valid drivers license is the plethora of scams that exist today. Before joining the class, one of the participants lost thousands of dollars from falling victim to an internet scam that promised to be an avenue for obtaining a driver’s license.“There are a lot of scammers out there, so I always warn people not to send money online, through services like Western Union, or using methods like Bitcoin,” she said. These are common ways scammers try to take advantage of others.Anderson said there are a lot of fraud calls in which people are tricked into paying for something or receiving calls claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office, saying they’ve missed court and need to pay a certain amount to avoid being arrested. She said scammers sometimes use real names to make their claims seem more legitimate. Anderson urged people not to send any money and advised them to always double-check by calling 911 (435-615-3610 is the non-emergency number for Summit County). “We’ll let you know if it’s true or not,” she said. “But we never ask for money over the phone.”The class teaches driving rules, regulations, processes and how to effectively communicate with law enforcement for Spanish-speaking community members.“I think it’s easier to ask (questions) in your own language when you’re new than asking in English and getting confused by the answer,” said Anderson. “When I was learning, I would say, OK, OK, OK, but I wasn’t understanding everything 100% of the time. And so everything can get lost in translation.”Since they began in June 2024, the driver’s license classes have received positive feedback from participants, not only in Summit County but also from those traveling in from Wasatch and Salt Lake counties.In addition to their lessons in class, participants are encouraged to sign up for a Whatsapp group chat to offer ongoing support, follow-up on progress and communicate relevant information.“I would love to have a class every day and just make sure that they’re actually following through all their steps and then getting that driver’s license in maybe two or three months. That would be great,” said Anderson. “But I think even just doing this is a really big help for them.”Sheriff’s officials said they hope to see the course continue to help people achieve their driving goals and also create a safer driving community.The next class is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at the Summit County Library, 1885 W Ute Blvd, Park City. The class is free and open to the public.The post Summit County Sheriff’s Office offers driver’s license classes for Spanish-speaking community appeared first on Park Record.