Annual Conference

April 18th, 2026

Join driver educators, driving schools, and leaders in driver education at our annual conference. Learn about new products, services, and organizations dedicated to keeping our nation's drivers safe.

More details to come as the conference date approaches.

Speakers

We are looking for dynamic speakers to give us interesting information or tools to enhance driver education programs. We appreciate those who volunteer to speak at our conference at no cost, keeping registration fees low for our teachers.

Exhibitors

As an exhibitor, you get a 10' x 10' booth space (with 8-foot table, table linen and skirting, two chairs, and wastebasket), and lunch for two people. Additional meal tickets can be purchased during registration. Please let us know if you need access to electrical outlets.

Sponsors & Exhibitors

Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning

Since 1953, Michigan Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (MDTSEA) has advocated for excellence in driver education.

It is our goal to improve driver safety and encourage professional ethics in the driver education industry. For over 70 years, we have worked to:

provide leadership, expertise, and resources to support driving schools
promote high quality curriculum standards
offer professional development opportunities
increase public awareness of traffic safety

Constitution & Bylaws Complete History MDTSEA Milestones Past Officers

Upcoming Events

Board meetings, workshops, and conferences are open to all members.

Board Meeting
September 10, 2025 • 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Zoom - Contact us at info@mdtsea.org for Zoom login details.

Board Meeting
December 03, 2025 • 12:00 pm
Zoom - Contact us at info@mdtsea.org for Zoom login details.

Resources

Michigan Resources

Additional Resources

Annual Awards

MDTSEA provides up to seven different awards at its Annual Business Meeting and Conference. We encourage you to consider nominating someone you believe deserves and qualifies for one of the following awards:

The President's Award

The President's Award recognizes individuals for their service to the MDTSEA board, efforts to help with a special task, or similarly related work. The MDTSEA President selects an individual who they believe went the extra mile over the last year or recent years.

View the award winners.

The Silvernale Award

The Silvernale Award recognizes individuals throughout the country who have made outstanding contributions to traffic safety education. Individuals can be nominated on a national basis, and their contribution can be for traffic safety education, in general, and need not be specifically for driver education.

View the award winners.

The AA Vezanni Memorial Award

The AA Vezanni Memorial Award recognizes individuals in the state of Michigan who have made an outstanding contribution to driver education. The nominee must be an active Michigan driver education instructor.

View the award winners.

The David Van Dyke Distinguished Achievement Award

The David Van Dyke Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made a contribution to Michigan's driver education program. The nominee must have made a significant, identifiable contribution to Michigan's driver education program during the preceding year beyond normal job expectations.

View the award winners.

The Dr. Robert E. Gustafson Award

The Dr. Robert E. Gustafson Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated long-term commitment and dedication to the field of driver education and traffic safety. The nominee must have been involved in traffic safety or driver education for more than 25 years and made recognizable contributions to the fields throughout their years of service.

View the award winners.

The Honorary Membership Award

The Honorary Membership Award recognizes individuals who have been involved and made contributions to driver education over many years. The nominee should be or have been a member of MDTSEA.

View the award winners.

The New Driver Educator of the Year Award

The New Driver Educator of the Year Award recognizes individuals who are relatively new in the field and have demonstrated the capacity to advance and make significant contributions to traffic safety education in the future. The nominee must new in the field of driver education (approximately within the first two years).

View the award winners.

The MDTSEA District Representative of the Year Award

The MDTSEA District Representative of the Year Award recognizes district representatives who made the most significant contribution to the association. The nominee must have been a district representative during the preceding year.

View the award winners.

Award Nomination Form