Vickie’s Driving Academy Restores Local Driver Training, Strengthens County Workforce

Vickie’s Driving Academy reopened a vital service for Adams County residents by offering comprehensive driver education inside the Adams County Training Center. Owned and operated by longtime instructor Vickie Fulton and co owned by her son Kieth Eichenlaub, the academy has run for more than a year as of November 21, 2025, and has quickly become one of the county’s most valuable new services for teens and other new drivers.

The academy’s origins trace to Fulton’s training with A & J Driving School and a personal recovery from a serious COVID illness that shaped her decision to focus on building local capacity. Locating the program inside the Training Center created practical advantages for students because the state driver testing office is nearby, reducing travel time and logistical barriers for families who previously had to leave the county for both instruction and testing.

Operational developments over the past year demonstrate growing demand and adaptability. The academy has expanded staff to increase behind the wheel availability, added online classroom options to accommodate busy students, and plans to introduce a 24 hour classroom option in December 2025 to further broaden scheduling flexibility. In addition, the academy is partnering with local school districts to create designated maneuverability practice areas for students, integrating instruction with school schedules and facilities.

For Adams County this restored service has immediate economic and educational implications. Easier access to driver education reduces time and cost burdens for families, and streamlines the path to licensure for young people entering the local labor market. Many entry level jobs in rural communities require a driver license, and restoring in county instruction supports workforce readiness by lowering a practical barrier to employment. Co locating the academy with the county training facility also creates synergies with other workforce programs that operate there.

From a policy perspective the academy highlights how public private collaboration can address service gaps in rural areas. Partnerships between private instructors and school districts can be a cost effective way to expand skills training without major capital outlays by local government. As Adams County considers workforce and education priorities, supporting flexible scheduling, shared practice spaces, and coordination with the state testing office could amplify the impact of programs like Vickie’s.

The academy’s trajectory in year one suggests a scalable local model for restoring essential services that link education and employment. With expanded staff, new classroom modalities, and deeper links to schools and testing infrastructure, Vickie’s Driving Academy is positioned to sustain momentum and help more Adams County residents move into jobs that require reliable transportation.