AARP Warns of Imitator Courses
Older drivers who want to take a refresher course to improve their skills and get a discount on their insurance rates should be aware of imitators in the San Fernando Valley using the name of the American Assn. of Retired Persons, an official with that agency said Monday.
“There’s a lot of commercial courses out there,” said Harold Muraoka, of Northridge, the assistant state coordinator for the 55 Alive/Mature Driving Program run by AARP.
The refresher course, started by AARP in 1979, has been taken by at least half a million people over 55 nationwide every year for the past seven years. Taking the eight-hour course, which includes safety tips for driving, can take 5% to 10% off insurance rates and help older drivers get their licenses back.
But Muraoka said that within the last two years he has occasionally heard of imitator companies that use the AARP name, but charge as much as $21 for the course. The AARP program, run by volunteer instructors, can cost no more than $8, Muraoka said.
Those who want to sign up for the class or to be a volunteer instructor should contact Muraoka at (818) 886-7633.
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