Teaching drivers of any age ‘comes easy’ for Watson

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
BEHIND THE WHEEL —Rusty Watson has expanded his driver’s education business — Aroostook County Driver Education — from just motorcycles to automobiles. Located in Houlton, Watson teaches drivers from 7 to 70.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Teaching people how to ride motorcycles has been both a passion and occupation for Rusty Watson for many years. Now he is taking that passion and branching out to a new, yet similar business – teaching people how to drive automobiles.
    Watson started Aroostook County Driver Education back in May and has been slowly building a reputation as an alternative source for individuals to learn how to drive. He said he decided to branch out to automobiles after hearing from some friends that there was a need in the southern Aroostook area.
    “I was talking with some friends who told me there was a two- or three-month waiting period to get their kids into driver’s ed,” Watson said. “The school still does it, but they don’t do classes all the time.”
    To become certified by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Watson had to take a couple of college courses, which he completed in April. In May, he took out a loan with the help of Barrett Potter at Katahdin Trust to start up his new business.
    Watson found a classroom thanks to Tony Delucca, who rented him space between Mac’s Trading Post and Horn of Plenty restaurant on the North Road.
    He purchased a Jeep Cherokee for the class and had it fitted with a second brake pedal on the passenger side – a necessity when teaching new drivers how to handle a car.
    Students must complete 30 hours of classroom work, which includes textbook and video presentations. Ten hours of training in the car follows.
    “We usually try to take a trip to Presque Isle to get the kids used to more traffic,” Watson said.
    While the majority of his clients are 16- and 17-year-old beginner drivers, Watson said he has also worked with some adults.
    “Right now, I am teaching an older woman from Haiti,” he said. “She wanted to learn how to drive and wasn’t able to do so in her own country. Nobody would teach her there because she had been in several car wrecks. But I have taken on the challenge.”
    Students can obtain their driving permit at the age of 15, but cannot submit their paperwork to get a driver’s license until they reach 16, he said.
    Watson said he has had a few “close calls” while teaching young drivers in the area, but fortunately no major damage had been caused.
    “We did take out a few shrubs though,” he said. “Taking my class will allow drivers to acquire the knowledge and confidence they need to get their license. If I feel there is a student who needs some extra time, I will make myself available to them.”
    Watson began Aroostook County Motorcycle Rider Education in 2001; teaching locals how to ride motorcycles and helping them earn their license.
    “In order to get your motorcycle license, a person is required to take the eight-hour safety course that we do,” Watson said. “From there, there is a two-and-half day training course that is designed to work with somebody who has never ridden a motorcycle before. We instill confidence and courage to operate the bike.”
    The motorcycle education business services locations in Houlton, Presque Isle, Woodland and Lincoln. He also does permitting classes in Medway and Lincoln.
    His clientele for motorcycle licenses run the full gamut, from 16-year-olds and up.
    “Last year, I had a 78-year-old gentlemen want to get his motorcycle license,” he said. “It all depends on what people are comfortable doing.”
    Those looking to get their motorcycle license do not need to own their own bike. Motorcycle dealerships provide him with bikes to use for training and at the end of the season, he has the option to purchase the bike or turn it back in.
    “You can come take the course, pass the skills evaluation, get your license and never buy a bike,” Watson said. “Some people get their license just to rent a bike when they go on vacation.”
    To get a motorcycle license, individuals must complete a two-and-a half day course consisting of eight hours of classroom training, four hours of Level I training, and then go through hands-on experience on the bike. The individual must then return to the classroom for another four hours of Level II training before performing the hands-on techniques for that level on the bike.
    Class size is limited to 10 individuals with Watson. He has two instructors assisting, Kristie Fuller and Chad Smith, which allow him to increase class sizes.
    Additional information on the motorcycle training can be found at www.acmre.com. For more information on the driver’s training, contact Watson at 532-3677 or 694-2491.