Level 1: Lesson Plan

Location: Parking Lot (we recommend school parking lots on evenings and weekends, or church parking
lots during the weekdays)

Goals: Vehicle Orientation, basic maneuvering skills

If possible, start the lesson with the vehicle backed into a standard parking space with an empty parking
space in front of it. You will be directed below to have the student pull forward into the open space and
the back into the original space. If you cannot start the lesson with the vehicle positioned this way, then
adjust the lesson order to suit your situation.

Part 1 – Vehicle Orientation

*Silence All Cell Phones*

With the new student in the driver seat, talk through the vehicle controls. Identify and briefly explain
the function of each of the following:

• Accelerator (gas pedal)

• Brake
• Clutch pedal (if present)
• Dead pedal (if present)
• Steering Wheel
• Turn signal actuator
• Exterior light controls
• Windshield wiper actuator
• Ignition
• Interior and exterior mirrors
• Door Lock
• Seatbelt
• Climate Controls
• Radio
• Emergency Brake/Parking Brake

Part 2 – Pre-Driving Checklist

We use the word “SMILE” to remind us of our pre-driving checks

S—Seat Position

• Driver’s feet can reach the pedals

• Upper body is at least 10 inches back from the steering wheel

M—Mirrors

• Blind spot-Glare-Elimination (BGE) settings for both exterior mirrors

• Interior mirror view of entire back window
I—Interior

• No loose items in windshield or back window area

• Adjust temperature
• Radio: We recommend that you turn off the radio entirely
• Silence and stow cell phone

L—Lock Doors and Windows

• Locked doors are less likely to open in the event of a collision or roll-over
• Locked closed/locked windows provide security and eliminate distractions

E—Everybody Buckle Up

• Driver and front seat passengers

• All minors
• Adults in the backseat are now able to get a ticket if they are not buckled up

Part 3 – Gentle Acceleration and Braking

Explain to the student that acceleration and braking are accomplished by gently squeezing the
appropriate pedal with the right foot.

• Allow the student to accelerate gently up to 10 miles per hour

• Practice smooth braking by telling the student to drive as slow as possible but to keep the
vehicle moving. Coach the student to drive slower and slower until the vehicle is not moving
and point out how smooth the stop felt.
• Use smooth acceleration and braking to drive the vehicle forward to a stop line or curb and
demonstrate the front reference point below
• Front Limit – Use the driver and passenger side mirror frames to approximate the position of the
front of the vehicle with respect to a stop line or curb

Part 4 – Backing

The student will not back up along the same path to the previous parking space. When teaching
backing, direct the student to:

• Hold the brake pedal down with the right foot (in a manual transmission, the student must also
hold the clutch down with the left foot)
• Shift the gear selector to Reverse
• Position the driver’s right hand behind the headrest of the front passenger seat and look over
the right shoulder out the back window. The driver will use the left hand to steer the vehicle.
• Gently release the brake pedal and let the engine idle speed move the vehicle back (in a manual
transmission, move the right foot to the accelerator and gently squeeze the pedal while slowly
releasing the clutch)
• Back up to the stop line or curb and demonstrate the rear limit
 • Rear Limit – Use the right rear passenger window to approximate the position of the rear
bumper with respect to a stop line or curb

Part 5 – Turning

Use the 9:3 hand position and hand-to-hand steering method to steer the car

• Coach the student to hold the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 positions (as on a clock) when
steering in forward motion
• Teach the student to turn the wheel using the hand-to-hand method to maximize the turning
radius while preventing potential air bag related injuries.
• Instruct the student to apply the proper turn signal before each turn
• Have the student pull forward turn left to pull up next to a curb and demonstrate the two right
limits:
o Right Limit for Parking – Use the center line of the hood, or hood ornament (if present)
to approximate the position of the right side of the vehicle 1 foot from the curb
o Right Limit for Driving – Use the ¼ line of the hood or the windshield washer fluid
sprayers to approximate the position of the right side of the vehicle 3 feet from the curb
• Practice left turns and right turns using the travel lanes in the parking lot or by setting up a pair
of cones to perform slalom or figure-8 maneuvers.

Use the following practice notes for additional lessons in a parking-lot environment. When the student is
able to demonstrate smooth accelerating, braking, and steering in a parking lot environment, he or she
is ready to graduate to Route 2.
Level 1: Notes for Additional Practice
Congratulations! Your teen has finished the first lesson of driver training. In our first one-hour session,
we built a foundation for risk management by practicing pre-drive safety procedures, basic visibility
principles, and fundamental maneuvers. Your new driver has learned the proper skills, but those skills
will not mature into good habits without practice. At NDTI, Inc., we recognize the need for parents to
reinforce our lessons with practice time. In general, we would like to see that your teen has 5 practice
sessions in between lessons. We will provide you with specific “homework” goals for your
teen. Remember, your teen driver must practice with a licensed adult driver in the front passenger seat
of the vehicle.

1. Vehicle Inspection and Walk Around

The vehicle walk-around is a safety and security inspection. Walk around the outside of the vehicle
with your teen. Approach from the back of the vehicle when possible and always with keys in
hand. Look for children or the belongings (toys, bike, scooter, etc) behind the vehicle and clear
them out of the way to avoid a collision. Look in the back seat of the car to make sure you do not
have any unwelcome guests. Note the condition of the tires and the depth of the tread. Look for
dents or scrapes in the paint. Also look for any new damage to the bumpers. The windshield and
back window should be clean and free of cracks. Enter the vehicle, close and lock the doors.

2. Seat Adjustment, Seatbelts, Mirrors, Passenger Checks

We use the word “SMILE” to remind us of our pre-driving checks

S—Seat Position

• Driver’s feet can reach the pedals

• Upper body is at least 10 inches back from the steering wheel
M—Mirrors

• Blind spot-Glare-Elimination (BGE) settings for both exterior mirrors

• Interior mirror view of entire back window
I—Interior

• No loose items in windshield or back window area

• Adjust temperature
• Radio: We recommend that you turn off the radio entirely
• Silence and stow cell phone

L—Lock Doors and Windows

• Locked doors are less likely to open in the event of a collision or roll-over
• Locked closed/locked windows provide security and eliminate distractions

E—Everybody Buckle Up

• Driver and front seat passengers

 • All minors
• Adults in the backseat are now able to get a ticket if they are not buckled up

If your teen has never driven in this vehicle before, take time to locate and explain all of the
controls, to include:
• Accelerator (gas pedal)
• Brake
• Clutch pedal (if present)
• Dead pedal (if present)
• Steering Wheel
• Turn signal actuator
• Exterior light controls
• Windshield wiper actuator
• Ignition
• Interior and exterior mirrors
• Door Lock
• Seatbelt
• Climate Controls
• Radio
• Emergency/Parking Brake

3. Hand Positioning on The Steering Throughout Session

Pay attention to your teen’s hand position on the steering wheel. Emphasize two-hand steering for
better balance and control. We want to lower the hand position on the wheel to reduce the risk of
airbag related injuries. Our recommendation is a hand position of 9:3 or 8:4 as opposed to 10:2 (see
below).

4. Starting and Stopping, Gentle, Smooth, Planning Ahead

 When parents request formal lessons for their new driver, two of the most common complaints are
that the novice driver accelerates and brakes too rough, or sudden. We like to tell the new driver
that we are trying to avoid forehead-to-dashboard-contact. While we can teach smooth
acceleration and braking, the techniques must be practiced to become habitual. Have your novice
driver demonstrate smooth acceleration and braking in a parking lot, then integrate smooth speed
control into all the other maneuvers that are practiced.

The key to smooth acceleration and braking is to “squeeze” the pedal rather than push, press, jab,
or jam it. The sensation should be like gently squeezing a small balloon under the foot, being careful
not to pop it.

This is also an appropriate time to practice planning ahead. Starting on one end of the parking lot,
the novice driver should target a destination on the other side of the parking lot. Before moving the
vehicle, look to the left and right of the path of travel to identify any potential cross traffic or
hazards (ideally, the parking lot will be empty, and you will not have any cross traffic, but we need to
establish a good foundation for visual awareness now). As the vehicle moves toward the target,
continue to survey the path of travel, glancing left and right to identify potential conflicts. Be
prepared to stop or slow down to avoid a collision.

5. Right Turns, Braking into Turn, Lane Position

At NDTI, we practice right turns first, because right turns are more difficult, but they are less
dangerous. Right turns are more difficult, because the turn radius is tighter. In order to
accommodate for the tight turn radius, the driver should slow down. In the parking lot, where you
are probably driving no more than 10 mph, the driver should slow down to about 5 mph to make a
right turn. Later, on roads, you will not go this slow.

The new driver will identify a target at which to turn—this could be a curb, a painted line, or a cone
if you have one. The steps to making a right turn in the parking lot are:

• Approach the target from its left side (the target should be to the right of your path of
travel).
• Apply the right turn signal approximately 100 feet before your turning target.
• Slow down to about 5mph.
• When the front tires are even with the target, turn the steering wheel 1 ½ times to the right.
• At the apex of the curve (about half-way through the turn) begin turning the wheel back to
its straight position.
• Gently accelerate back to traveling speed while continuing to turn the wheel back to its
straight position.

6. Left Turn, Braking into Turn, Lane Position

Left turns are easier then right turns, but they involve greater risk. Left turns are less difficult,
because the turn radius is wider. The increased risk is to all right side passengers as the vehicle
crosses the path of opposing traffic. In the parking lot, where you are probably driving no more than
 10 mph, the driver should slow down to about 8 mph to make a left turn. Later, on roads, you will
not go this slow.

The new driver will identify a target at which to turn—this could be a curb, a painted line, or a cone
if you have one. The steps to making a left turn in the parking lot are:

• Approach the target from its right side (the target should be to the left of your path of
travel).
• Apply the left turn signal approximately 100 feet before your turning target.
• Slow down to about 8 mph.
• When the front tires are even with the target, turn the steering wheel 1 full rotation to the
left.
• At the apex of the curve (about half-way through the turn) begin turning the wheel back to
its straight position.
• Gently accelerate back to traveling speed while continuing to turn the wheel back to its
straight position.

7. Turn Recovery, Acceleration, Lane Position

As you work on turns, be also mindful of turn recovery. The turn should be completed in a smooth
arc from one travel lane to the other. Your new driver will take some turns too fast, and some too
slow. Some turns will be wide, and some will be short, and sometimes, the new driver will fishtail
through the turn recovery. Practice turns until the new driver can do them as well as you can in
parking-lot conditions.

8. Steering Method
 During general driving, look for hand-to-hand steering (also called push-pull-slide). This steering
method differs from hand-over-hand, in that it protects the driver from airbag related injuries
because the driver’s hands to not cross over the top of the steering wheel.

We do believe there is still a place for hand-over-hand steering. This steering method will allow the
driver to make a sharp turn more quickly. Practice both steering methods in the parking lot.

9. Reversing 60 ft., Backing up, Backing-in Parking , Backing-out parking

Can your new driver back in a straight line for 60 ft? Spend time practicing this maneuver in an open
lot without obstacles. This skill will be revisited on the driver license examination.

Now practice backing into and out of parking spaces.

Look for proper seat position.

1. After placing the car in reverse, place your right arm behind the passenger seat and look behind
while reversing, as demonstrated in Figure 3-5.
2. Place your left hand on the top of the
steering wheel. The rear of the car will move in the
same direction the wheel is turned. Stop periodically
and check to the front to ensure that there is plenty
of clearance to complete the maneuver.
3. In a vehicle with automatic transmission, the idle
speed of the car should be sufficient to move the
vehicle. In most cases, there is no need to
accelerate while reversing. Instead, the driver’s foot
should “cover the brake” in preparation to stop.

10. Mirror Management, Vision Management, Using Your Eyes Effectively

It is crucial for your new driver to become aware of the roadway and all the things that are
happening around your vehicle. While practicing in the parking lot, make sure your new driver is
looking ahead, as well as scanning the upcoming path of travel in a zig-zag pattern and checking
mirrors frequently to identify potential hazards. We use the acronym, SEE-iT, to describe this
process. SEE-iT stands for Search, Evaluate, Execute in Traffic. Let’s break it down:
S- Search

• Systematic search pattern

• What to look for (potential hazards)
• How to look (zig-zag across the field of view)
• Where to look (in front, to the sides, and behind)
E - Evaluate

• Risk potential of closed or changing areas

• Risk potential of alternative area of travel
E- Execute

• Speed change without losing control

• Lane position change without losing control
Level 1 Work Sheet Evaluation: Parking Lot, 60 minutes

1. Vehicle Inspection and walk around 5 inspections = 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

2. Seat adjustment, Seatbelts, mirrors, passenger checks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

3. Hand positioning on the Steering Throughout session

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

4. Starting and Stopping, Gentle, Smooth, Planning Ahead

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

5. Right Turn Management, Braking into turn, Lane Position

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

6. Left Turn Management, Braking into turn, Lane Position

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

7. Turn Recovery Management, Acceleration lane, Position

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

8. Hand-to-Hand Turning Management, Hand-Over-Hand Turning Management

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

9. Reversing 100’ ft. , Backing up, Backing in parking , Backing out parking
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

10. Mirror Management, Vision Management, Using Your Eyes Effectively.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______
Never Sometimes Almost Always Always
Special Notes___________________________________________________

General Driving Skills,

Subtract 2 points for each Deficiency Check Below
Lane Keeping ____Searching ____Acceleration ____Braking ____ Mirrors ____

Total Deduction ______

Overall driving skills,
Speed Management______Lane Management ______ Turn Management ______

Sign Management ______ Intersection management ______

Total Deduction ______

Total Score This Lesson ______

Driver Name______________________ Student Name________________________________

Start time________________ ID #________

End Time_________________ Permit No.___________________

Date ___________________ Expiration: ___________________

Lesson Number _____________