December 20, 2025 Issue, Page 8 of 10

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NEWS 8• SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025 The Elk City News Making the Season Merry and Bright: Service Oklahoma Provides Online Tools for Teens Seeking a Driver License OKLAHOMA CITY – Service is helping to lighten the load and teens through four key stages, from ok.gov/study. Our Sweet Sixteen Guarantee is drive and the number of passen- Oklahoma knows the holiday sea- make it easier than ever for teens the written test to the final upgrade one of the first programs in the gers they can have in their vehi- son can bring equal parts celebra- to take their first steps toward safe, to an unrestricted license. PARENT-TAUGHT DRIVER nation to offer a guaranteed drive cle. Visit us online and upgrade tion and stress, especially for fam- independent driving. With new Each step can be completed EDUCATION test appointment on a teen’s 16th today. ilies with teens preparing for their online tools that simplify every through a streamlined, digital-first Families now have an alternative birthday, even on a Sunday. To Impact for Families Learner Permit or Driver License. phase of the Graduated Driver Li- pathway. By reducing the need for to using conventional Driver Edu- qualify, teens must be 16 years old, Since the launch of these new on- However, thanks to convenient cense (GDL) Program, families can in-person visits, we’re delivering cation with Parent-Taught Driver have held a Learner Permit for at line tools, more than 13,500 teens online tools, stress can now be re- enjoy a smoother, less cumbersome a modern and user-friendly ap- Education. This is a great benefit least 180 days, completed 50 hours have taken the online written moved from the process. experience. Oklahoma’s GDL Pro- proach for teens to earn a Driver for any teen or family who may not of behind-the-wheel training, and test, and hundreds of families each This season, Service Oklahoma gram gradually and safely guides License. be located near a driving school or passed the free, online Work Zone month have used the digital up- The GDL Program was designed other driver education provider. Safe course. grade tool. to help Oklahomans spend less Parents must fill out the on- Drive tests are offered at Service “When a teen receives WOCS time navigating lines and more time enjoying the holiday season. Here are some of the many ways we’re using technology to make a line Parent-Taught Driver Edu- cation Affidavit Application to apply. Once approved to provide instruction, the teen and the par- Oklahoma’s dedicated Drive Test Centers in Oklahoma City and Broken Arrow. These centers provide a fast and their Driver License, it’s a joyful time. Service Oklahoma is ex- cited to be a part of that experi- ence, and we are committed to WOCS Announces Students of the Month teen’s first journey toward driving not just simpler but truly stress free. ent can begin their education jour- ney. efficient testing experience, and each features a selfie wall so fam- making it as smooth as possible, for the teen and for the parent,” Western Oklahoma Chris- vember. The students were Find out more at service.ok.gov/ ilies can celebrate this milestone said Diedra O’Neil, Chief Execu- tian School (WOCS) with cam- recognized for their character, DRIVER STUDY HUB parenttaughtapp. birthday together. tive of Strategy and Operations at puses in Clinton, Weatherford, effort, and leadership qualities. The online Driver Oklahoma Written Test Online Eligible teens, or their families, Service Oklahoma. “Through the Elk City, and Hinton honored Lucille’s Roadhouse sponsors Study Hub provides teens with the The online Oklahoma Written are encouraged to schedule their modernization of the teen driv- Students of the Month for No- the award. tools and resources they need Knowledge Test now allows teens birthday drive test in advance er journey, we’ve made the pro- to become a safe and confident to test from the comfort of home. at service.ok.gov/birthday. cess far less overwhelming. We re- driver. The new hub includes a The test can be taken on a desktop Online License Upgrade main dedicated to providing practice written test, a link to the or laptop computer with secure on- Once a driver earns an Interme- Oklahoma’s teens with efficient Oklahoma Driver Manual, a study line proctoring. After passing, teens diate License, they can complete solutions that also help them guide, and resources for every step can visit a Service Oklahoma loca- the final upgrade to an Unre- build safe and confident habits be- of a teen driver’s journey. This one- tion or licensed operator to receive stricted License entirely online. hind the wheel.” stop hub was designed to instill their Learner Permit. To get started, The online upgrade saves an ex- To learn more about online confidence and ensure everyone is visit service.ok.gov/writtentest. tra in-person trip and removes tools for teen drivers, visit service. road-ready. Learn more at service. Sweet Sixteen Guarantee restrictions on the hours they can ok.gov/teendriving. CANUTE WOCS Clinton Campus Students of the Month for November are Kolbyn Sap- penfield (left) of Cordell, representing grades 3rd through 6th, and Abigail Funk of Clinton, representing grades pre-kindergarten through 2nd. WOCS Elk City Campus Student of WOCS Hinton Campus Student of the Month for November is Nora the Month for November is Newly West of Elk City. Smith of Hydro. High school girls win the championship game of the BFDC Tournament. The HS boys place runner-up. Kynli Carlson and Keaton Whinery make the All-Tournament team. Jaylee Gray selected as the Tournament MVP. Mega Breeze & Mini Breeze We proudly support the students, Call For WOCS Weatherford Campus Students of the Month for November are Pricing! Parts staff and administration Available! Chamberlain Boles of Fort Cobb (left), representing pre-kindergarten through 2nd, and Felicia Garner of Weatherford, representing grades at Canute Schools 3rd through 6th. 580-225-6554 ~ Great Plains Bank CBA One of the largest metal 918 N. Van Buren suppliers between Elk City, OK 73644 ~ First National Bank OKC and Amarillo www.janningwelding.com Farmers Union Co-Op Gin 720 S. Main, Elk City 580-225-0191 620 Highway 66, Canute, OK 73626 banksovereign.com | Member FDIC www.elkcitycoop.com Josh Moran Only Retail Shop In The President/Owner State Where You Can Buy 319 Industrial PKWY Elk City, OK 73644 The Milford Spices! 580.225.2575 580-339-1937 MORAN SERVING 20792 E. 1095 Rd Canute, OK EQUIPMENT Oklahoma ~ Texas ~ New Mexico Brad and Mandy Beck Monday thru Friday 8-5 www.moranequipment.com Owners Saturday 8-12