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Driving Skills Checklist

 Driving Coach
 June 10, 2019

Teaching your teen to drive can be a daunting task. There are specific skills
required by state testing for each student to know before receiving their
license. Here is a checklist you can refer to, to help review concepts and mark
where you need to review information or practice a little more. The list is
broken into three sections- beginning, intermediate, and advanced driving
skills.

Beginning Skills
These skills should be the basic foundations of driving a vehicle. They include
steps to complete before driving and maneuvers done in a parking lot, before
ever operating a vehicle on the road.

Skill Needs Improvement Good Master

Pre-vehicle inspection      
Reading dashboard gauges      
Starting the vehicle      
Smooth steering and movements      
 Adjusting and using mirrors      
Accurate maneuvering of vehicle      
Making accurate, smooth turns      
Backing Up      
Driving Posture and positioning      
Smooth and controlled stopping      
Parking in a marked stall      
Turning off the car      
 

Intermediate Driving Skills

These skills are improved after the basics have been mastered. They are
learned and practiced on the road, but not in heavy traffic. Practice should be
done once the student has learned the driving laws and what all the signs
mean. Master these skills before moving on to the advanced section.

Driving Skill Needs Improvement Good Maste

Yields to right of way to vehicles and

pedestrians      
Keeps a minimum 2-second following
distance      
Anticipates and communicates with other
drivers      
Obeys road signs and speed limits      
Uses proper turn signals      
Watches out for possible hazards      
Parking vehicle on curb      
Parking at an incline      
Parking at an angle      
 Enters and exits roundabouts correctly      
Enters and exits intersections correctly      
Uses proper passing techniques      
Keeps attention on the road      
 

Advanced Skills
Each section of driving skills should build on the other. Once the two lists are
mastered and the student has become increasingly comfortable behind the
wheel, move on to these advanced skills.

Driving Skill Needs Improvement Good Maste

Maneuvering in rush hour traffic      

Adjusts driving in bad weather      
Adjusts driving during nighttime hours      
Driving on freeways and highways      
Entering and exiting expressways      
Uses caution around semi-trucks      
Uses caution around motorcycles and
bicycles      
Handles complex and multiple driving
hazards      
Uses defensive driving techniques      
Looks ahead for escape routes      
Understands emergency procedures      
 

Once the Skills are Mastered

Not all teens are ready to drive at the same time and some need more help
than others. Referring to these lists every so often is a great way to know
what skills to work on more so that you both know that they are prepared to
move on to the next level of skills. Another way to utilize these lists is to
recognize the areas your teen has improved. Take the time to acknowledge
areas of improvement and encourage their efforts.

If you are taking adult driving classes to learn how to drive yourself, you can
use these lists with the help of a friend, significant other, or just yourself as
you practice before a test. No matter what stage of life you are in, these skills
are required on driving tests for licensing. Once you have mastered each level
you or your teen driver should be ready to take your driving test.