Driver's Education Study Guide Behind the Wheel

This is an extensive study guide written for people who are going to be taking the driving test. This was written to prepare the person for the road test. The links are to videos that will help assist you in learning driving.

Things you can do to Prepare for a new driver as a co-driver/Parent/Guardian

To prepare a new driver, a Parent/Guardian/Co-Driver can: provide extensive supervised driving practice in various conditions, emphasize the importance of following traffic laws, discuss the dangers of distractions, set clear rules and expectations, lead by example with safe driving habits, limit nighttime driving initially, ensure the car is in good condition, and talk openly about responsible driving behaviors like not driving under the influence;.

  • Thorough driving lessons: Go beyond the required driving education by providing additional practice in different environments, including highways, busy streets, and parking lots. Safety first:

  • Continuously stress the importance of wearing seatbelts, obeying speed limits, and maintaining a safe following distance.

  • Distraction awareness:

  • Discuss the dangers of using phones, eating, or engaging in other distracting activities while driving.

  • Set clear boundaries:

  • Establish rules regarding passenger limits, curfew, driving in adverse weather, and when to avoid driving altogether.

  • Be a good role model: Demonstrate responsible driving habits by following traffic laws and avoiding risky behaviors yourself.

  • Gradual progression: Start with simpler driving scenarios and gradually introduce more complex situations as the new driver gains confidence.

  • Vehicle maintenance: Regularly check the car's condition, including tire pressure, lights, and fluid levels, to ensure safe operation.

  • Open communication: Have open conversations about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigue, and the importance of reporting any concerns.

  • Practice makes a (nearly) perfect driver. No one becomes good at something after doing it for just a few hours. Your child needs at least two hours of practice driving each week for six months to reach a level of proficiency. Try to have them drive a minimum of 3 times a week.

  • The dangers of texting. Hundreds of people die every month because a driver got distracted while behind the wheel. Teach your child to keep their eyes on the road and their minds focused.

To Prepare them before their first behind the wheel:

  • BlindSpots understand them

  • Understand how to teach a lane change

  • Make sure the driver leans in and hugs wheel before looking over their shoulder.

  • Adjusting of Mirrors

  • Equipment Demonstration

  • Have the new driver drive for a minimum of 20 hours before taking a behind the wheel lesson. Don't waste your time with a professional instructor driving around a block. That time is needed to give feedback to the student and instruct them on defensive driving, positioning and control of car.

Parent Guide for Coaching Teen Drivers

Things to do to prepare for your test.

  • MAKE SURE YOU ARE DRIVING DAILY. You should be very comfortable behind the wheel. Driving daily builds confidence in the new driver and also builds their skill set quicker.

  • Drive to practice your driving. Not just to go to the same place you always go. Example: school

  • Make Sure to practice your parking Consistantly. You should be able to park like a professional and not be nervous about it.

  • Make sure that you can explain all the equipment to the examiner on the test.

  • Play the Intersection Game with your co-driver

  • Play the Sign Game with your co-driver

Checklist for Road test

You will be expected to know these things on the vehicle and you will have to demonstrate them to the examiner.

  • Seat Adjustment

  • Seat Belt

  • Emergency Parking Break

  • Headlights High and Low beam

  • Hazard Warning Lights (4 way Flashers)

  • Blinkers/Directionals/Signal Lights

  • Horn

  • Windsheil Wipers

  • Windsheild Defrost (Make sure you understand the difference between the rear and front defroast.)

  • Fan Controls

  • Mirrors (Interior/Exterior)

  • Fuel Gauge

Make sure you can locate and understand how to use these items. It will be part of the test. If you miss three you will fail your test and the road test will be canceled.

LANE CHANGE AND BLIND SPOTS

To safely change lanes, you should:

  • turn on your turn signal to indicate your intention,

  • check your rearview and side mirrors, check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder on the lane you are merging into, and then smoothly move into the desired lane while maintaining a steady speed;

  • remember to turn off your signal once you are fully in the new lane. (DO NOT TAKE FOOT OFF GAS AND LEAN INTO WHEEL WHEN LOOKING OVER SHOULDER.)

The Lane Change is one of the most important skills to learn. This teaches you to look in your blind spot. It keeps you from hitting other vehicles that may be riding your blindspot. It makes you aware that cars can hide in that section in the rear window over your shoulder on your right and left side. These cars will not been seen in your mirrors.

What Are Blind Spots in Driving? Tips on How to Avoid Them

Driving Games

Intersection Game

With your Co-driver have them ask you where the next intersection is. This is good to practice to make you aware of your surroundings and scan ahead for issues that may be on the road. Ask them to tell you what they are seeing on the road.

Look for these landmarks on the road:

  • Lines breaking and then starting again

  • Street signs

  • traffic lights

  • vehicles entering or exiting

Sign Game

Have the new driver read the signs as you drive to them.

Parking

I cannot emphasis enough that parking should be something that feels like a second skin to you. You should practice it until you are so comfortable that you can do it in your sleep. In this section I will cover parking and the videos behind it.

Easy Parking 90 degrees Backing Up - Version 2.0

A video on how to park 90 degrees backing up easily (bay parking).

Parallel Parking and 90-Degree Backing Skill

This is a fantastic video on Parallel Parking and 90-degree back in.

DMV VIDEOS

This video is intended to help guide Minnesota state residents through the process of preparing for and successfully passing the driver’s road test. We want residents to know what to expect when they arrive for their test, and what happens during and after the test.

Intro - What to Expect on the Road Test

The EAGAN DMV Course VIDEO EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT

DO NOT BE LIKE THIS GUY!

I have had so many students want me to teach them how to pass in Eagen. Like Eagan is some cursed area that only the wise can pass the test. Guess what? If you practice you will pass. Then you have the people who post videos like below saying you will pass if you memorize the course. NOT TRUE!!!!! He doesn't understand how to drive in a busy area with lots of foot traffic. He does't understand control of his vehicle or how to maintain a correct speed because he didn't practice driving in a residential area on a grid system. He was probably only driving on faster roads over 35 and didn't understand lane maintenance and reading the lines on the road as well as the signs at all intersections. He can't even maintain a consistant speed while driving to these conditions. This video is not helpful to you guys. Listen to the experts and practice driving in areas you feel UNCOMFORTABLE in. Go into Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown St. Paul. You will get much better experiance and be able to actually drive any course and pass with flying colors. The key is practice.

Eagan Road Test | Full Road Test Map to PASS I hate this video because it promises a cheat code to pass your driving test. Go practice in downtown. It will help you more.

Written and Compiled by Brandi Rasmussen