As the owner and instructor at Modern Driver Institute, I have a passion for teaching. I also have a passion for driving. For me, driving isn’t just the process of commuting between two locations – it can also lead to fun, adventure and relaxation. I’ve been road-tripping around the country most of my life, and have driven in deserts, swamps, blizzards and mountains, and I’ve covered countless miles on dirt and gravel “roads” that give many drivers nightmares.
Choosing a vehicle to use for teaching can be challenging. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all driving school vehicles be equipped with an automatic transmission, instructor brake, heater and side mirrors. That’s it. There’s also a single line of law dating back to the 1950’s that decrees no driver education vehicle be more than 8 years old or have more than 80,000 miles, whichever comes later. As you can imagine, most driving school cars hit the mileage way before they rack up the years (in 11 years of operation, I’ve accumulated well over 400,000 miles traveled). Because of this, many schools utilize cheap vehicles, often bought in bulk, that can be turned over every few years.
Me, I enjoy a fun driving experience in a high-quality vehicle. I’m currently using a 2019 Dodge Charger Pursuit model. This car is a former North Carolina police car, equipped with a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission, creating nearly 400 lb.ft. of torque and 370 horsepower.
As a former police vehicle, it has several factory upgrades beyond what is available in a standard civilian vehicle, including:
- Enhanced cooling system to handle long operational times
- Upgraded suspension components for improved handling and ride quality
- Heavy-duty brakes for better stopping power
- Reinforced body structure for added durability
- Full underbody armor plating
- Heavy-duty seats designed for frequent and easy entry and exit
- Advanced stability and traction control
- High-strength 18″ steel wheels
It’s a rugged beast that drives like a lullaby, providing both grace and comfort of movement. It’s like the game “Othello”: a minute to learn, a lifetime to master. And that’s kind of my philosophy toward driving.
This is the fourth car I’ve used for training, and the second police car (the last car, a 2017 Ford Taurus Interceptor, served my students for 6 years and over 200,000 miles). The new car, which went into service in August 2025, will get its graphics sometime soon.
If you’re curious, here is some information about the other vehicles I’ve used to train: