In February, The Black Car Fund (BCF) launched a new website where drivers can learn about and enroll in all of the organization’s Earn While You Learn opportunities. The new, centralized site makes finding essential information for drivers more streamlined: https://learn.nybcf.org. A new phone number (212.269.8200) was also established for drivers with questions regarding any of the following classes:
The Black Car Fund Driver Education Course
This new, in-depth course provides details about all the benefits provided by the BCF to its Covered Drivers at no cost. This course can be completed online or in-person. The in-person course is 4 hours long and is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at: The BCF Driver Education Center, 37-10 Skillman Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101. Covered Drivers receive a $250 check upon completion.
The online course must be completed within 14 days of successfully enrolling and Covered Drivers receive a check for $125 upon completion.
The Black Car Fund Defensive Driving Course (Downstate)
The BCF Defensive Driving Course (DDC-6) is an NYS-certified defensive driving course, approved and licensed by the National Safety Council. It also satisfies the licensing requirements of the various Taxi & Limousine Commissions in New York State (i.e. NYC, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk). This course may also result in premium reductions on insurance and point reductions from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
BCF Covered Drivers may take this course once every three years and receive a check for $300 upon completion. The BCF Defensive Driving Course is held every day (except Wednesday), from 10:00am to 5:00pm. It is taught at twolocations: The BCF Driver Education Center, 37-10 Skillman Ave., LIC and the Independent Drivers Guild Center, 41-09 36th St. #3, LIC.
The Black Car Fund (BCF) Wellness, Safety Training, and Education Program (STEP) Class
This class is designed to help drivers improve their physical and mental health on and off the road. The Wellness STEP class curriculum includes:
- Hands-Only Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Share the Road/Vision Zero
- Free Breast and Prostate Cancer Screening from New York-Presbyterian
- Wellness: Facing the Physical & Mental Challenges of the Road
BCF Covered Drivers may take this class once every three years and receive a check for $250 upon completion. The course is taught every Wednesday from 10:00am to 2:00pm at: The BCF Driver Education Center, 37-10 Skillman Ave., LIC.
The Black Car Fund Defensive Driving Course (Upstate)
The BCF Defensive Driving Course (DDC-6) is approved and licensed by the National Safety Council and satisfies the licensing requirements of the various Taxi & Limousine Commissions in New York State (i.e. NYC, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk). This course may also result in premium reductions on insurance and point reductions from the New York DMV.
BCF Covered Drivers may take this course once every three years and receive a check for $300 upon completion. The BCF’s Upstate Defensive Driving Course is held on select Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. It is taught at: North Tonawanda Football Hall of Fame, 240A Goundry St. Rear Building, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
Source: The Black Car Fund
