Since I launched Modern Driver Institute in 2014, I’ve had a total of five training cars, all one at a time. Each one was a favorite of its students, and each one brought something different to the game. Here’s a look at all the retired training cars.

2025-2026: Car #4

2019 Dodge Charger Pursuit

After the unparalleled success of Car 03, I wanted another police car. Sadly, the last Taurus rolled off the assembly line in 2019, which means they’re nearly out of the Department of Education’s 8-year window for driving schools. The last American police car in production is the Dodge Charger. I’ve always loved Chargers, ever since watching “Bullitt” and “The Dukes of Hazzard” when I was a kid.

This particular Charger came indirectly from a North Carolina police department, and was a rear-wheel drive with a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine. It was a fantastically fun car to drive, but cost a fortune to fuel and insure. The HEMI engine is also prone to breakdowns, which led to a shortened useful life for this car. In service from August 2025 until June 2026.

2019-2025: Car #3

2017 Ford Taurus Interceptor

Car 03 was a 2017 Ford Taurus Interceptor, with a 6-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. It began life as a NYPD patrol car, but was totaled in a rear-end collision shortly after. It was painstakingly rebuilt and I picked it up with just 3,000 miles on the odometer. It ran thousands of lessons and racked up over 200,000 miles before ageing out. In service from August 2019 until August 2025.

2015-2019: Car #2

2011 Volvo S40

Car #2 was a 2011 Volvo S40 sedan, with a 5-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. Heated leather seats, sunroof and European-style handling made this car a joy to drive. By the time it aged out of use, it had more than 367,000 miles on it – that’s all the way to the moon and halfway back. And the engine and transmission were still running strong. In service from April 2015 until August 2019.

2014-2015: Car #1

2008 Volvo S40

Modern Driver’s first training car to be used by students was this 2008 Volvo S40 sedan. When I launched Modern Driver, I had no money or resources, but really wanted to use a Volvo. I’ve had several in the past and always found them to be safe, reliable cars. This was the only one I could afford. Sadly, the Department of Education’s 8-year maximum age rule forced it into retirement after just a few months. In service from August 2014 until April 2015.