Parent/Student Driver Education Handbook - Albemarle County Schools revised July 2001
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Parent/Student Driver Education Handbook Albemarle County Schools revised July 2001
Written and compiled by Richard Wharam, July 2000 Graphic Design by Birch Studio Graphics The assistance of the Automobile Association of America is gratefully acknowledged.
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Requirements for Learner’s Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Requirements for Permanent License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Parent as Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Lesson 1: Starting With Good Habits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Lesson 2: Subdivision Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Lesson 3: Rural Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Lesson 4: Routes 29 and 250—Multi-lane Congestion . . 5
Lesson 5: Interstate Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Driving Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Driving Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Albemarle County Driver Education Program . . . . . . . . 13
Website Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Effective July 1, 2001:
Students possessing a learner’s permit prior to July 1, but not turning 16 years old until after
July 1, 2001, will be eligible for a temporary license when:
• The student is at least 16 years old and has held a learner’s permit for at least six
months.
• The student successfully completes a state approved driver education program.
• The parents have signed the PPF-01 Permission Form certifying their child is prop-
erly insured, and has driven a motor vehicle for 40 hours—at least 10 of which
were after sunset.
• The student submits a driving log of 40 hours.
Students possessing a Learner’s Permit:
• are restricted to one non-family member teenage passenger
• have a midnight to 4am curfew
• must log driving experiences: 30 hours of daylight driving and 10 hours of driving
between sunset and midnight
Albemarle County High SchoolsParents may want to practice steering with the left hand from the passenger seat.
Introduction
T he Virginia General Assembly frequently enacts legislation to address teenage driving issues. Nationally teen-
agers account for 4% of all drivers, yet they have 13% of the crashes. Forty per cent of 16 year olds either
violate a traffic law or are involved in a crash their first year of driving. First year driver behavior and skills
haven’t changed over the years, but the driving environment has changed. In 1962 there were 92 million drivers in
the United States. Today there are 181 million drivers! The number of roads has not doubled in the last 39 years.
However, many of them have been widened to four or more lanes. First year drivers today must learn in a more
congested environment than we ever imagined.
This guide has been prepared to give the parent some helpful suggestions in planning in-car training for their teen-
age driver. Experts recommend 50 hours of supervised driving practice before students are allowed to drive alone.
This step is so important that we have included a driving log on page 10 for your convenience. Keep track of the
time spent on each lesson. Effective July 1, 2001 this is now required by Virginia law.
The Albemarle County Driver Education Program schedules students for 15 to 20 hours of driving experiences
on the range and on the highway. At the end of the training course the student will be given a comprehensive road
test of 25 minutes. The assessment includes multi-lane traffic, lane changes, negotiating intersections, yielding
right of way, and parking in shopping centers. Approximately 80% of students are successful on the first attempt.
Instructors are not trying to be punitive, but want these students to be safe drivers. Students must wait two weeks
before requesting another road test.
Even though the student passed the road skill test, they still are lacking in experience necessary to handle unusual
driving situations. Therefore; parents need to give their students as much supervised driving time as possible.
Consider one year to be the minimum learning time. The parent is the ultimate judge of the student’s ability.
> DMV Requirements for Learners Permit ... and for a Permanent License
• 15 years, six months of age • 16 years, 3 months of age or older
• birth certificate • possess learner’s permit for 9 months or longer
• social security card • completed 36 hour Driver’s Education classroom
• pass knowledge and vision tests • completed min.14 hours of in-car driver education
• parent signature • parental permission
Note: All requirements are in effect as of July 1, 2001. • submit the 40-hour driving log
Note: Parents are now required to sign the driver license. The license states that parents can telephone the DMV
and have the license revoked prior to age 18. The license will be revoked for a minimum of 6 months.
Albemarle County High Schools 2The Parent As Teacher
1 ONE
LESSON
> Getting Started
Remember 14-15 years ago when your student was an
infant and just learning to walk? That first step was a Starting with Good Habits
big event in the life of the family. Now your child is > Location
ready to take another step. As a parent you’ll use the We recommend a large parking lot free of obstacles. Your
same technique of instruction to teach the operation of public school parking lot after school hours or on week-
a vehicle. One step at a time! The first step should be ends is one possibility. Be sure your student has their
simple and then build upon that success, not expecting learner’s permit and that you are in the car at all times.
too much the first day. Patience means you expect mis- The first driving experience should focus on starting,
takes and will allow for them. Learning this coordina- steering and stopping a car within two points on the lot.
tion skill is the same as learning a sport like basketball. Driving ranges use two cones spaced 33 yards apart.
Did you make the basket on the first throw? Sometimes You could substitute milk containers, or lines on the
we learn more from our failures than our successes. We parking lot. A distance of 33 to 50 yards is all that is
learn to drive best in small daily segments of 10 to 15 required.
minute learning experiences. Trying to accomplish too
much one day per week can be frustrating for both stu- > Outside Checks
dent and parent. Try these lesson suggestions. 1. Look for objects around the car and in the path you
intend to travel.
> Establishing a Comfort Level 2. Glance at tires for proper inflation.
Before you have the first lesson with your student driv- 3. Verify that windows, headlights and taillights are
er, plan for both parents to venture out to a parking lot clean.
and practice several maneuvers. 4. Glance under hood for leaking fluids.
First, each parent should practice on a parking lot steer- * The DMV and the Albemarle County School Board
ing the car with the left hand from the passenger seat. require the submission of a log of driving experiences
New drivers are prone to hug the right edge of the road. before the temporary license can be issued after pass-
They will grow out of it. Until they do, the parent can ing the road test. Students must have a minimum of 30
gently steer the car back to the left. hours of daylight driving and 10 hours of night driving.
Use the log on pages 10 through 12.
Second, if you have a car with the parking brake
between the seats, practice stopping the car by depress- > Inside Checks
ing the release button and slowing the car by raising 1. Lock all doors
the parking brake. Cars with between the seat parking 2. Verify there are no articles in the car that will
brakes make ideal training cars. block your view or will fly around if you stop
quickly.
Third, parents may want to invest 3. Put key in ignition switch and explain the positions
$6 in a baby rear view mirror 4. Demonstrate how to sit with your back firmly
attachment. When sitting in the against the seat with your shoulders even with or
passenger seat, you will want above the steering wheel. The driver should have
to know who’s behind you. This 10 inches of space between themselves and the
handy mirror is available in the steering wheel if you have an airbag. Adjust the
baby section of the Giant grocery seat if necessary to comfortably reach brake and
store. accelerator pedals.
5. Once in position lock the seatbelts.
Fourth, parents may want to practice shifting the trans- 6. Adjust mirrors: side and rearview.
mission into neutral from the passenger seat. Should a 7. Adjust head restraint to back of head
student panic, you can regain control by placing the car
in neutral. Be careful not to shift into reverse!
3 Albemarle County High Schools> Starting the Engine to point B. It is not necessary for this first experi-
1. Make sure parking brake is engaged ence to use the accelerator pedal. Just allow the
2. Verify the transmission selector is in PARK or engine idle speed to carry the car forward at 5 mph.
NEUTRAL and clutch engaged for manual trans- Instruct the student to gently squeeze the brake
mission. pedal to stop.
3. Right foot depresses brake pedal. 5. Now it is time to reverse course. Instruct the stu-
4. Turn the ignition switch to “on” position. Draw dent to place the transmission selector in reverse.
attention to the warning lights on the dashboard Place the left hand at the twelve o’clock position,
and their meaning. Continue turning key forward right hand on the seat back, and look over the right
to start the engine and release as soon as engine shoulder while backing. Again it is not necessary
starts. to use the accelerator pedal.
5. With engine running. Check the gauges. Check 6. Repeat steps four and five until the student is com-
the fuel supply. petent
7. Next, demonstrate how to drive the car in circles
> Steering Technique around the perimeter of the course. Allow the stu-
With the development of the airbag, driver educa- dent to drive. Practice stopping the car at prede-
tion teachers are now required to instruct students in termined places.
the “push-pull” method of steering. The right hand is
placed at the four o’clock position and the left hand is > Summary
placed at the eight o’clock position. The right-hand There is a lot to learn in the first lesson. Some stu-
moves between the five and two o’clock position and dents may need to repeat this lesson to be proficient.
the left-hand moves between the seven and 10 o’clock Mastery at each level is important before moving on to
position. This technique of push-pull steering or shuf- the next lesson.
fle steering is the safest method if the air bag deploys.
Hand over hand steering or nine and three steering can
2 TWO
result in injury in air bag deployment. Parents should LESSON
not despair if they are unable to demonstrate this new
method. Students will learn the new method on the
range and then come home and teach mom and dad!
Subdivision Driving
* The DMV and the Albemarle County School Board The student is now ready for subdivision driving. Pick
require the submission of a log of driving experiences a large subdivision and a time when the pedestrian
before the temporary license can be issued after pass- and vehicular traffic will not be a major distraction for
ing the road test. Students must have a minimum of 30 your student. Practice riding through the subdivision
hours of daylight driving and 10 hours of night driving. at speeds up to 25 mph making right and left turns.
Use the log on pages 10 through 12. Instruct your student to come to a complete two sec-
ond stop at Stop signs; look left, right, and left. It is
critical that the parent model good driving practices.
> Putting the Car in Motion The student can easily pick up bad habits! At least two
The parent should demonstrate the following steps driving experiences in this environment are necessary
before the student attempts to drive. before moving on to lesson three.
1. Press down on the brake pedal. * The DMV and the Albemarle County School Board
2. Move the selector to drive require the submission of a log of driving experiences
3. Release the parking brake while the foot is still on before the temporary license can be issued after pass-
the brake pedal ing the road test. Students must have a minimum of 30
4. When the way is clear, remove the foot from the hours of daylight driving and 10 hours of night driving.
brake pedal and allow the car to roll from point A Use the log on pages 10 through 12.
Albemarle County High Schools 43 THREE 4 FOUR
LESSON LESSON
Rural Road Driving Route 29 & 250 Multi-lane
Congestion
Pick a time when traffic is light; ie: Sunday morn-
ing between 7am and 9am or weekends between 2 > Lane Changes
and 3pm. The parent should demonstrate the driving On Sunday mornings Route 29 has a low volume of
techniques he/she uses. As you drive, describe to the traffic and presents a less threatening environment
student where you are looking, mention the importance for your student to learn. Lane changes and checking
of looking ahead, steering to a target in the center of blind spots are crucial for multi-lane driving. The steps
the lane, checking rear view mirrors and watching the for lane changes are: 1) check rear-view mirror, 2)
speedometer. check side view mirror, 3) signal, 4) head check behind
door post to check blind spot.
When the lane is clear move gradually into the desired
lane.
> Intersections
As a driver approaches an intersection from a distance
and sees a green light, we call that light a “stale green
Target the center of the lane.
light”, because you don’t know when it may turn yel-
low. The DMV manual indicates drivers should stop
Allow the student to drive at speeds up to 35 mph. In
on a solid yellow light if they have not entered the
this session you’re interested in developing lane posi-
intersection. When stopping on a yellow light, check
tion, speed control, adjusting speed on curves and hills,
the rear view mirror before touching the brake pedal.
developing a visual lead of 20 seconds, and a 3 second
A tailgating car may rear-end you if come to a quick
following distance.
stop on a yellow light. Come to a stop if you can safe-
ly do so. It takes practice to develop this skill of judg-
Students should spend the next five to 10 hours driv-
ing a safe stopping distance.
ing in the rural environment. On the second or third
lesson allow the student to reach speeds of 45 mph.
> Right Turn on Red
Eventually the student should graduate to larger rural
The right turn on red law dates back to the seventies.
roads such as Rt. 33 or Route 250 and drive at speeds
The law states that drivers may turn right on red after
of 55 mph.
stop! The law does not permit right turn on red while
rolling. The wheels must stop turning. Teenagers
pick-up this bad habit from adults.
> Safe Following Distance
Most parents were taught the old method of allowing
fifteen feet for every 10 mph of speed. Today we have
a much simpler method. When the shadow from the
car in front of you passes underneath a bridge or by an
electric pole or sign post, start counting; one-thousand
and one, one-thousand and two, and one-thousand and
three. If you arrive under the bridge, or by the post or
pole before one-thousand and three, you are following
too close. Drop back and start counting again. Play
Sunday morning on Route 29.
5 Albemarle County High Schoolsthis game frequently until you can judge the proper dis- 3. Maintain a 3-second following distance behind the
tance without counting. vehicle in front of you. As the vehicle’s shadow in
front of you passes an object, start counting: one-thou-
sand and one, one-thousand and two, and one-thousand
5 FIVE
LESSON and three. If you arrive at the spot before one-thou-
sand and three you are following too close.
4. On multi-lane highways avoid driving in the left
Interstate Driving lane alongside other vehicles. Either slow down and
On Sunday mornings between 7am and 9am the inter- get behind the other car in the right lane, or pass the
state highway traffic volume is low. Interstate driving vehicle and move to the right lane. Any time you are
requires the development of new skills: merging, lane traveling alongside another vehicle you are in danger.
changes, maintenance of speed and exiting. AAA
recommends that merging vehicles on entrance ramps 5. Driver’s with airbags should position themselves
should be traveling at 60 to 65 mph at the merge point. at least 10 inches from the steering wheel. An airbag
Traveling at the highway speed requires less of a gap in deploys in 1/5 of a second. You want to hit the airbag
traffic to merge. The steps for merging are: Rear view in a crash, not the airbag hitting you.
mirror check, side view mirror check, signal, and head
check behind the door post. If the driver is following 6. Driver’s with airbags should use eight and four hand
another car onto the interstate, the following distance position on the steering wheel. This steering technique
should be 4 seconds and the driver must employ rapid is called push-pull steering. The right hand moves
eye movement between mirrors and the car in front. between the two and five position and the left hand
moves between the seven and ten position. This posi-
Emphasize the danger of slowing below the speed limit tion is safer than the old ten and two, or nine and three
on an interstate highway. This is why cars do not slow position.
down on the interstate preparing to exit. Enter the
deceleration lane and then brake to slow down. 7. Driving is a full time job. Pay attention. AAA
research indicates that 37 % of drivers at any given
moment are not paying attention! You can prove it
> Driving Tips the next time it rains. Thirty-seven percent of drivers
The following driving tips should be helpful to the par- won’t have their lights on with their wipers as the law
ent and student. Review these often to promote safe requires.
driving.
8. Remember the four steps of lane change procedure.
1. Driving with your low beam headlights on during 1) check rear view mirror, 2) check side view mirror,
the day decreases your chance of being involved in a 3) give a signal, 4) perform a head check behind the
fatal crash by 28%. Drivers with their headlights on door post, 5) move over to the next lane. Execute only
can be seen from 4700 feet away as opposed to 2500 one lane change at a time.
feet without headlights. Drivers are less likely to pull
out in front of you on those winding country roads.
2. Scan ahead of your vehicle 20 seconds or 1/3
of a mile at 60 mph; or 1.5 to 2 city blocks in city
driving. Such a habit will allow you to adjust speed
or position before you happen upon threatening
situations.
Albemarle County High Schools 69. Never change lanes in an intersection. When turn- 10. On interstate highways travel the posted speed.
ing into an intersection, occupy the nearest lane. For Slowing down on the interstate to exit, creates a hazard.
example, if you are turning left onto a divided 4 lane Exit onto the deceleration lane and then brake. Observe
highway, occupy the left lane first, then execute a lane the posted exit speed. Exit speed signs of 25 mph indi-
change procedure to the right lane. cate a sharp curve in the exit ramp.
Navigating Intersections.
• Car 1 is turning right and should occupy lane S1 (the nearest land). Never change lanes in an inter-
section. If you want to be in lane S2, then occupy lane S1 and perform a lane change procedure to S2
• Car 2 is making a left turn and should occupy land N4 (nearest lane). Do not change lanes in an
intersection. If you want to be in lane N3, then occupy lane N4 and perform a lane change procedure
to N3.
• Car 1 wants to turn right on red after stopping. Car 7 has a green arrow and is turning left to occupy
land S4. Car 1 must yield until car seven has completed his turn. A driver can not assume Car 7 will
occupy lane S4. Remember, Car 1 has a red light and must yield the right of way.
• Car 3 has a green left turn arrow and is attempting a U-turn to the south-bound lanes. Most likely
Car 3 will occupy lane S1. Car 1, making a right turn on red, must yield the right of way to Car 3.
• You are Car 5 traveling at 45 mph and the traffic signal turns yellow. Do you speed up to make it
through the intersection as many drivers do? The DMV manual indicates that if you have not entered
the intersection, you should come to a stop. With experience you will be able to judge your stopping
distance at various speeds. Before your foot touches the brake, check the rear view mirror. If you
slam on the brake with a tailgater behind you, you may have a car in the trunk.
7 Albemarle County High Schools11. Drivers should adjust speed at the top of an inter- has the best Web site for crash worthiness. Type
state entrance ramp. By traveling at the interstate speed www.highwaysafety.org to determine how well your
at the merge point, drivers need less of a gap in traffic chosen vehicle withstands a 35 mph crash.
to merge. Attempting to merge on an interstate at 25 to
35 mph creates a traffic hazard. 17. Passing a vehicle on a two lane road is a danger-
ous maneuver. You must speed 10 miles per hour faster
12. When a traffic light turns yellow, come to a stop than the vehicle you are passing. If a vehicle in front
if you can safely do so. Check your rear view mirror of you is traveling at 50 mph, you will break the speed
before touching the brake to determine if a tailgater is limit to pass the vehicle. Slow down, enjoy the drive.
too close to stop safely. A yellow light does not mean
speed up to cross the intersection. 18. Driving is not a competitive sport. Aggressive
driving involves speeding, tailgating, and lane chang-
13. Establish a 4 second stopping distance or escape ing without signals. Drivers with 3 traffic violations
path at 55 mph. It takes 4 seconds to stop a vehicle inside a year are 100% likely to be involved in a crash.
at 55 mph. If you are not looking ahead 4 seconds, Your insurance company will have to something to say
you may not be able to react in time to an unexpected about that.
development.
19. Look over your right shoulder when backing. If
14. Remember the right of way rule? The driver on your neck won’t turn enough, try planting your left foot
the left yields to the driver on the right. The right of on the floor to push yourself up in the seat. Remember,
way is a gift. Do not assume the other driver remem- backing is a slow maneuver.
bers the rule correctly or will yield to you. Drivers on
minor roads must always yield to vehicles on major 20. The speed limit in a city is 25 mph unless oth-
roads. Car Two is the first car to have right of way. Car erwise posted. Remembering this rule may save you
One is next and Car Three is last. from a traffic violation.
21. Seven percent of pedestrians killed in Virginia in
1998 were under the influence of alcohol. Just because
its an adult on the side of the road, doesn’t mean he’ll
make a rational decision. Slow down and be prepared
to react.
22. Thirty percent of Virginians do not wear seat
belts. A head on collision at 50 mph is the same as
driving off an eight story building. They actually
believe they can survive such an impact?
23. Drive 2 mph slower than surrounding traffic on
interstate highways. Never drive in a pack of cars. You
can’t control what another driver may do.
Right of way.
24. Remember tractor trailers and large trucks take
15. Never drive in another driver’s blind spot. Either twice the distance to stop. Don’t pull out in front of
speed up or slow down. Stay out of other driver’s blind trucks. Your 3500 pound vehicle is no match for a
spot. Maintain a margin of safety around your vehicle. 68,000 pound vehicle.
16. Are you planning to purchase another car? The 25. The law states you can turn right on red after stop.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Ruckersville The wheels must stop rolling. Stop and count one-
Albemarle County High Schools 8thousand and one, one-thousand and two. Then go if 39% more likely to be involved in a fatal crash if they
the way is clear. have another teenage passenger with them. Sixteen
26. Driving is a full time job. Scan ahead, check your year olds with two passengers are 82% more likely to
rear view mirrors frequently, and scan the dashboard be involved in a fatal crash. These statistics reinforce
for speed and engine performance. the fact that driving is a full time job. Parents are wise
to restrict driving alone for three months. State law
27. If you wander off the road onto a gravel shoulder, prohibits more than one non-family teenage passenger.
AAA recommends these steps: 1) Keep the foot off
the accelerator and brake, 2) steer straight ahead on 29. Executing a left turn in an intersection on a
the shoulder and allow the vehicle to slow down to 25 solid green light requires yielding the right of way to
mph, 3) steer 1/8 turn to left, 4) counter-steer 1/4 turn oncoming cars. The person making a left turn is the
to right, 5) straighten. last person to have the right of way! Stay behind the
white stop-bar until on-coming traffic has cleared and
28. According to a study printed in the Journal of the proceed with caution.
American Medical Association, sixteen year olds are
Shared turn lanes.
• Car 2 is headed east and wants to turn into Joe’s Garage. For what distance does the DMV indicate
that Car 2 can travel in the shared turn lane? Answer: You may not travel further than 50 yards in
this lane. Generally the pairs of arrows are spaced about 50 yards apart.
• How far should you signal before turning? Experts indicate that 50 yards is a safe distance. At high
speeds, you may want to lengthen the distance. To alert a following driver, you are wise to tap your
brakes to get his attention! Sometimes signals are not enough.
9 Albemarle County High SchoolsParent/Teen Driving Log
Student’s Name _______________________ Parent/Guardian’s Signature ___________________
Date Learning Experiences Day or Night Time Initials
Total: _____________Parent/Teen Driving Log
Student’s Name _______________________ Parent/Guardian’s Signature ___________________
Date Learning Experiences Day or Night Time Initials
Total: _____________Parent/Teen Driving Log
Student’s Name _______________________ Parent/Guardian’s Signature ___________________
Date Learning Experiences Day or Night Time Initials
Total: _____________Albemarle County Driver Education Program
Albemarle County’s driver education program consists 1. maneuvering a car through figure eight turns and
of two phases. The first phase, driver education weaving the cones to develop steering skills,
classroom is conducted during the first six weeks 2. backing exercises include straight line and curved,
of Health II in the student’s sophomore year. Some 3. parking in angle, perpendicular and parallel spaces,
students elect to take this course during summer 4. parking on hills with and without curbs,
school. Driver education classroom consists of 36 5. threshold braking,
hours of classroom instruction in traffic safety. 6. exercises in merging, lane changes, and passing
7. students practice off-road recovery,
8. students drive and observe on at least six road trips:
The second phase, behind the wheel training is rural, city, Route 29 congestion, and interstate.
conducted year round at the driving range at each
school. Although the State of Virginia requires The road skill exam lasts approximately 25 minutes.
fourteen hours of instruction, we schedule twenty Students are tested during rush hour traffic situations
hours to address the congested driving environment in on multi-lane highways, negotiating intersections,
Albemarle. Behind the wheel is offered in the morning turning left, yielding right of way and parking in
before school and after school in the afternoon. shopping centers.
Range training emphasizes skill development in
numerous areas:
Web Site Information
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles National Commission Against Drunk Driving
www.dmv.state.va.us/ www.ncadd.co/
Virginia Department of Transportation National Transportation Safety Board
www.vdot.state.va.us/ www.ntsb.gov./
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Drive Smart Virginia
www.nhtsa.dot.gov./ www.drivesmartva.com
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Mothers Against Drunk Driving
www.hwysafety.org www.madd.org/
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Students Against Destructive Decisions
http://www.saferoads.org/ www.saddonline.com/
Automobile Association of America Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program
www.aaa.com www.vasap.state.va.us
13 Albemarle County High SchoolsAlbemarle County
Driver Education Offices
Albemarle High School . . . . . . . . .975-9451
Monticello High School . . . . . . . . .244-3100 x2199
Western Albemarle High School . . . . . . . . . .823-8714You can also read
