New Driver Checklist for Parents
Driver education is a good first step in teaching young people to drive, but a parent's role in teaching is crucial. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has developed this checklist for parents to use to help their student drivers learn safe driving skills.
| Student Driver… | Never | Sometimes | Always |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knows location of instruments, gauges, and safety devices and checks them before driving | |||
| Adjusts mirrors and seat properly | |||
| Wears a safety belt without being reminded | |||
| Maintains a safe following distance | |||
| Demonstrates correct hand position on the steering wheel | |||
| Demonstrates the "two-second" rule--you can count "1 - 1000, 2 - 1000" between the time the back of the car in front of you passes a stationary object and the time the front of your car reaches the same spot | |||
| Is aware of other driver's blind spots | |||
| Checks blind spots before changing lanes | |||
| Is aware of tailgaters and knows how to deal with them | |||
| Anticipates changing traffic lights | |||
| Checks mirrors frequently | |||
| Uses horn appropriately | |||
| Signals before turns and lane changes | |||
| Anticipates possible braking situations | |||
| Appears relaxed and comfortable while driving | |||
| Is comfortable driving at night | |||
| Uses high and low beams appropriately | |||
| Adjusts speed to road, traffic, and weather conditions | |||
| Works to maintain a space cushion or buffer zone on all four sides of the car | |||
| Checks intersections carefully and pauses before entering an intersection | |||
| Sets emergency brake or parking brake before leaving vehicle | |||
| Demonstrates good, smooth movements and coordination during and after turns | |||
| Demonstrates good scanning habits at all times | |||
| Obeys traffic laws - including speed limits |
Note that student drivers should always perform each exercise without error or assistance.
