FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — When you’re learning to drive, it can be nerve-racking.<\/p>\n
You have to learn the functions of the vehicle and all the rules of the road.<\/p>\n
But who better to teach you those rules than the men and women who used to enforce them?<\/p>\n
Instructor Rodney Cancio spent nearly three decades as a sergeant with the Fresno Police Department.<\/p>\n
He and every instructor with Five O Driving School are former first responders.<\/p>\n
“We wanted to employ a driving school with only first responders because we saw the benefit of having first responders teach these teenagers how to drive,” Owner James Barnard said.<\/p>\n
He still works in law enforcement.<\/p>\n
He says that during their prior careers, instructors were taught special driver training.<\/p>\n
They also responded to and investigated countless crashes they’re now hoping to help their clients avoid.<\/p>\n
“Pretty much all of our instructors have worked accident investigations, have been responding to terrible tragedies and they’ve been able to share firsthand how these accidents could’ve been avoided and prevented,” Barnard said.<\/p>\n
Barnard says their knowledge helps them to teach beyond what’s required on the DMV test.<\/p>\n
“We’ll go full into parking maneuvers, slow speed, high speed and we’ll give real-world life experiences when we’re teaching these teenagers how to drive,” Barnard said.<\/p>\n
All of the training vehicles are Dodge Chargers.<\/p>\n
Each is equipped with cameras so they can use the video for training purposes.<\/p>\n
Barnard says the ultimate goal is to help drivers pass the DMV test and get home safely.<\/p>\n
“Being these retired law enforcement first responders, you know, a lot of times we were meeting people with negative interactions. We were giving tickets, you know, we were on the scene of a crime.” Barnard said. “Now we can kind of have a different interaction with them, bring those experiences and maybe save them that ticket from being down the road.”<\/p>\n
You can find more information about Five O Driving School by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n For news updates, follow Jessica Harrington on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n