Congratulations you passed your learners license/permit test! Now it is time to get down to work and start preparing for your Driver’s License Road Test. Too many times young drivers not only fail to practice the proper skills to pass their road test, but more importantly fail to learn how to become a safe and defensive driver.
Important Lessons
While there is a definite strategy to learn how to pass the dreaded road test, it is much more important for young drivers to learn the essential skills and strategies to stay alive on our nations highways. Driving strategies such as following distance, visual lead time and collision avoidance principles must take priority in order to produce a life long effective driver. New drivers should also learn how to drive in a variety of different environments. This post will list some of the important lessons that should be included in every new drivers mandatory DMV practice hours logbook. If you want more detail on how to apply each lesson, plenty of information is provided on the Books and Products page as well as the Resources page on this very website.
Before you leave the driveway
You can’t drive a 2000 pound car without first knowing the components and controls that make up the driver’s compartment of your car. In this very important lesson a new driver needs to locate and understand the workings of all of the following:
- Comfort Controls-air vents, air conditioner, heater, fan as well as the radio/multimedia
- Visibility Controls- Head lights, mirrors, defroster, windshield wipers as well as the sun visor
- Information Gauges- Fuel Gauge, speedometer, odometer, as well as the warning and check engine lights
- Communication Controls- Turn signal, hazard lights and horn
Pre-Start Information in proper sequence
- Key in ignition
- Adjust seat
- Doors Locked
- Adjust head rest
- Adjust all mirrors
- Adjust vents and comfort controls
- Adjust your steering wheel height
- Fasten your seat belt!
The First Drive
The first driving session would be best served in a large shopping mall parking lot. Preferably early morning on a Sunday. During this session a new driver should be taught:
- Hand position on the wheel and hand over hand steering
- Location of brake and proper braking procedures
- Location of accelerator pedal and proper procedures for its use
Allow the student to practice smooth acceleration with proper braking procedures. Graduate to hand over hand steering using appropriate right and left turns. Continue practicing these skills until the new driver is confident in all aspects of braking, steering, acceleration and speed control.
Rural drive
The best time to introduce speed control and the proper handling of natural laws such as gravity and centrifugal force is during a nice long country drive. Rural highways serve as an excellent opportunity to experience curves, hills and apply the skills of speed control along with precision braking and steering. Allow the new driver to pick a speed they feel comfortable with. Navigating the turns and maintaining a comfortable speed up and down the hills is what we are striving for in this environment. Speed will eventually increase as the new driver feels more comfortable with these newly learned skills and strategies. It is also a good idea to discuss the many road signs that populate the side of the road on a rural drive, especially those yellow warning signs!
Small Town/Village Drive
A small town or village is most likely the type of environment you will see on your DMV road test. Pick a town that has four way stop signs, cross walks as well as a couple of traffic lights. In this session a new driver should learn to master:
- Proper turning at intersections
- Smooth braking at a variety of different intersections
- Handling a left and right hand turn at a traffic light
- Understanding right of way law and a variety of other important traffic laws
- Driving in a school zone
- Performing a K turn (3 point turn) as well as parallel and angle parking
- Implement 2 second following distance and visual lead time
- Handling lateral maneuvers (leaving curb) and proper signaling
- Understanding Traffic Circles
City Driving
Dealing with heavy traffic, pedestrians and multiple intersections can be a frustrating process; however it is a process that must be mastered by a beginning driver. Within this driving session it is important for the new driver to learn how to:
- Deal with multiple lane driving (appropriate city lane changes)
- Handling protected and unprotected intersections
- Watch out for pedestrians and understand right of way
- Use visual lead time to select the path of least resistance (proper lane)
- Control and monitor following distance in heavy traffic
- Stay away from collision traps- Isolate your driving and always have an escape
- Watch for construction and learn how to use “separation and compromise” while driving
Expressway Driving
Nothing is scarier then entering, driving on and exiting a multi-lane highways. It is very important to learn proper protocol for handling these fast paced multi lane expressways. In this session the new driver needs to learn how to :
- Enter a multi-lane highway
- Drive on a multi-lane highway
- Exit a multi-lane highway
- Pass on a multi-lane highway
- Isolate Your Vehicle
- Select the proper lane
- Increase your following distance
- Increase your visual lead time
Checklist of Skills for DMV Road Test
- Proper Steering
- Appropriate Braking
- Smooth Acceleration
- Handling an Unprotected intersection
- Four Way Stop Rule
- Understanding stop lines and cross walks
- Parallel Parking
- K Turn (3 point turn)
- Lateral Maneuvers
- School Zone Rules
- Driving in reverse
- Proper use of Signals
Need More Help?
You came to the right place! Check out the many blog posts covering all facets of driver education. The Resources page is a great place for free information and the Books and Products page will provide great driver education help for a low cost! Be sure to download “Keys to Passing Your Road Test” from the right sidebar.
“The Ultimate DMV Student Driver Journal” is a great way to log your mandatory driving hours. The journal also include important defensive driving reminders as well as important driving lessons for the new driver.
The journal pairs well with these two other driver education resources:
“Teach Your Teenager How to Drive a Car”
“Save Your Teenage Driver’s Life”
These books and resources will provide more detail on how to properly educate the new driver! There is no substitute for practice in every potential driving environment. These resources will help get you there. Good luck and safe driving.
The Drivered coach!