Instructor Training Program

This licensee is authorized to provide Driving School Instructor Training. This training is required prior to applying to the department for a license and administration of a knowledge exam.



"The Alaskan Crew"

Victoria Jean Roberts, Shannon Lee Marotta & Monica Bliss Sander-Robbins, completed Newport Driving School's Instructor Training Course. Watch for "The Alaskan Crew" to provide superior driver education and training in Alaska.

Shannon and Vic (February 3, 2003)



Wasilla, Alaska

60 HOURS OF INSTRUCTOR TRAINING CURRICULUM

Chapter. 1 Qualifications of a Professional Driving Instructor.

A. Legal Requirements:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Complete a training course approved by the department.
3. Within 3 attempts, pass an examination…
4. Be physically able to safely operate a motor vehicle…
5. Hold a valid California driver’s license…
6. Not be on probation to the department…
7. Have no “failure to appear” on driving record.
8. Be 21 years of age or older.
9. Pass a medical exam and submit a form DL51.

1. Knowledge of traffic laws and safe driving practices.
2. Ability to analyze problems.
3. Ability to communicate clearly…
4. Patience, understanding, and compassion.
5. Ability to set a good example with a professional…
6. Knowledge and experience in operating…
7. The desire to teach.
8. Inspirational leadership style.
9. Neatness and cleanliness
10. Ability to listen.
11. Pleasant demeanor and ability to laugh…
12. Caring about students and letting it show.

Chapter 2. First AID Relating to Vehicle Accidents

A. Accident Scene Procedures and Precautions:

1. If your vehicle is moveable…
2. Avoid fallen wires or spilled fuel.
3. If another person is available…
4. Use of flares and fire extinguishers.
5. Reporting requirements.
6. Stopping requirements when not involved.

1. Heart stoppage.
2. Obstructed airway.
3. Head injuries.
4. Shock.
5. Burns.
6. Bleeding.
7. Fractures.
8. Heat stroke and exposure to cold.

Chapter 3. Teaching Techniques for training Drivers.

1. Adequate space; cramped classrooms…
2. Adequate lighting.
3. Stimulating colors and décor.
4. Clean air- good ventilation…
5. Comfortable furniture…
6. Chalkboard.
7. Place for students to secure bicycles.
8. Free of hazards.
9. Clearly stated and understood rules.

1. Comprehension.
2. Recall.
3. Creative thinking (applied knowledge).

1. Discussion.
2. Lecture.
3. Demonstration.
4. Guest speakers.
5. Student reading.
6. Films
7. Role-playing.
8. Test.
9. Group work.
10. Drill.

1. Keep your information fresh.
2. Try to relate to the students previous accumulated knowledge.
3. Avoid doing students’ work for them- guide them.
4. Take a sincere interest in each student.
5. Be sensitive to subtle changes…
6. Visualize, in advance, how you can be of service…
7. Respect students as worthwhile beings…

Chapter 4. The Driving privilege; licensing and controls.

1. What your driver’s license means to you.
2. What your license means to others.

1. Motor vehicle is a weapon.
2. Dangerous as a loaded gun, if not operated properly.
3. Parking responsibility (to avoid runaways).

1. Why stop completely at stop signs?
2. What does yield really mean?

D. Common Courtesy is a Key to Safety:

1. Roadway is shared by all drivers.
2. Courtesy makes order out of chaos.
3. Treat other drivers the way you…

E. The Importance of Driver Education:

1. Provides the knowledge, understanding, skills…
2. Lessens the possibility of costly, injuries and…
3. Reduces the cost of policing, property…

F. History of the Automobile:

1. Development of the automobile.
2. The automobile and the future.

G. Driver’s License:

1. Who must have a license?
2. Applications.
3. Fee.
4. Examination.
5. Temporary license.
6. Instruction permit.
7. Restricted license.
8. Student license.
9. Non-resident drivers.
10. Junior permits

H. Licensing control measure:

1. Negligent Operator Tracking System (NOTS)
2. Grounds for probation or suspension of license.

Chapter 5. California vehicle code and rules of the road.

A. Automobile ownership and registration.

1. Automobile ownership (CVC sections)
2. Registration of motor vehicles (cvc section)
3. Change of address (cvc section)
4. Change of motor (cvc section)
5. Display of registration (cvc section)
6. Display of license plates (cvc section)

B. Traffic laws for pedestrians and drivers:

1. Pedestrians rights and duties (cvc section)
2. Basic laws for drivers (cvc section)
3. Important laws for drivers (cvc section)

C. Civil liability and financial responsibility:

1. Financial responsibility (cvc section).
2. Proof of ability to respond in case of damages (cvc)
3. Failure to report accident to DMV (cvc)
4. Suspension of driving privilege (cvc)
5. Deposit of security required (cvc)
6. Minor’s liability imputed to others (cvc)

D. Criminal offenses:

1. Negligent Operator (cvc).
2. Misdemeanor and Felony violations (cvc)
3. Suspension and revocation of license by court procedure (cvc)
4. Offenses against licensing laws (cvc)

Chapter 6. Motor vehicle equipment and maintenance.

A. Legal requirements

1. Brakes (cvc)
2. Lights (cvc)
3. Horn (cvc)
4. Muffler (cvc)
5. Fenders and mudguards (cvc)
6. Rearview mirror (cvc)
7. Windshield and wipers (cvc)
8. Seat belts (cvc)
9. Smog control devices (cvc)

B. Construction of the automobile

1. Frame.
2. Body.
3. Engine.
4. Steering system.
5. Suspension system.
6. Electrical system.
7. Fuel system.
8. Cooling system
9. Brake system

C. Safety Equipment.

1. Lighting – Purpose and use.
2. Brakes _ Purpose and use.
3. Windshields and mirrors.
4. Horn.
5. Tires.
6. Safety belts.

D. Economical and Safe Use of Automobile:

1. Avoiding fast starts and stops.
2. Speed, fuel consumptions, and tire wear.
3. Anticipating stops, and braking smoothly and gently.
4. Maintenance costs.
5. Calculating overall operational costs.

E. Buying, Financing and Using and Automobile:

1. Determination of needs and type of vehicle needed.
2. Price range that is within means.
3. Best value – new or used car?
4. Evaluation of mechanical conditions…
5. Registration.
6. Financing.
7. Responsibilities and costs surrounding…

Chapter 7. Physical and Mental Capabilities of Drivers.

A. The Physiological Nature of the Driver:

1. The eyes and vision.
2. The ears and hearing.
3. Other physical conditions that can…
4. Effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

B. The Psychological Nature of the Driver:

1. Attitudes essential to good driving.
2. Causes of behavior variables.
3. Undesirable traits of a driver.

C. Effects of Drugs and Alcohol:

1. As a drug.
2. Stages of alcohol influence.
3. Effects of alcohol on the body.
4. How to avoid and identify drunk drivers.
5. Effects on the driving task.
6. Synergistic effects.
7. Penalties. (cvc)

Chapter 8. Physical and Mental Capabilities of Drivers.

A. The Physiological Nature of the Driver:

1. The eye and vision.
2. The ears and hearing.
3. Other physical conditions that can…
4. Effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

B. The Psychological Nature of the Driver:

1. Attitudes essential to good driving.
2. Causes of behavior variables.
3. Undesirable traits of a driver.

C. Effects of Drugs and Alcohol:

1. As a drug.
2. Stages of alcohol influence.
3. Effects of alcohol on the body.
4. How to avoid and identify drunk drivers.
5. Effects on the driving task.
6. Synergistic effects.
7. Penalties. (cvc)

Physical laws affecting the operation of motor vehicles. Laws and Driving Automobile.

A. Natural

1. How natural laws affect the movement o an automobile.

B. The Force of Gravity:

1. Definition:
2. Effect of Gravity…
C. Inertia and Energy:
1. Definition of inertia:
2. Counteracting inertia’s effects with seat belts
3. Potential energy.
4. Kinetic Energy.

D. The force of friction.

1. Definition of friction:
2. Friction in starting, moving and turning.
3. Friction in stopping.
4. Road, brake, and tire conditions affecting the amount of friction.
5. Excessive wear due to friction.
6. Friction reduction through lubrication.

E. Centrifugal and centripetal force:

1. Centrifugal force (defined)

F. Force of impact:

1. Factors determining force of impact.

Chapter. 9 Teaching-driving skills.

A. Boulevard stops:

1. Stop completely at stoplights and signs.
2. stop behind limit line, crosswalk line, or boulevard stop sign.

B. Intersections:

1. Identifying an intersection.
2. Skills required for crossing intersection.
3. Left turns.
4. Right turns
5. U-turns.
6. Signaling for turns and stops.

C. Other city driving skills:

1. Reducing speed allows more time to:
2. Looking ahead of traffic.
3. Covering the brake, not riding it.
4. City passing.
5. Lane choice.
6. Vehicle position.
7. Choosing a safe route.
8. Special problems associated with city traffic.

D. Freeway driving:

1. Planning a route in advance.
2. Entering the freeway using acceleration lanes.
3. Common mistakes made when using acceleration lane.
4. Special situations.
5. Leaving the freeway.
6. Exit lanes.
7. Choosing lanes of travel.
8. Choosing lanes of travel.
9. Speed limits.
10. Establishing and maintaining a safe space cushion.
11. Helping other drivers enter or exit.
12. Freeway emergencies.
13. Breakdowns.
14. Re-entering freeway from shoulder.
15. Special freeway problems.
16. Toll booths.

E. Driving on open highways:

1. Areas of potential hazards.
2. Other users of the roadway.
3. Curves – speed and banking.
4. Hills.
5. Mountain driving.
6. Special problems at high altitudes.
7. Meeting or approaching other vehicle on open highways.
8. Road conditions.

F. Passing:

1. Demands of proper passing.
2. When passing is authorized.
3. Special situations.
4. Dangerous passing situations.
5. Assessing passing potential.
6. Steps for successful passing.
7. When being passed.

G. Night driving:

1. Hazards.
2. Compensating for hazardous night driving conditions.

H. Hazardous conditions:

1. Driving in the fog.
2. Driving in the rain.
3. Driving in snow and ice.
4. How to stop skidding.
5. How to rock out.
6. Mechanical failure.
7. Benefits of driving smoothly when starting, stopping, and cornering.

Chapter. 10 Defensive Driving

A. Scanning (Smith System of Driving):

1. Scan ahead as much as ten sec. For:
2. Potential problems alongside the road.
3. Escape routes if problems occur.

B. SIPDE; Search, Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute:

1. Search or scan ahead for problems as listed above.
2. Identify specific potential problems.
3. Predict possible movements.
4. Decide what action is necessary to avoid problem.
5. Execute or carry out decision smoothly and safely.

C. Collision avoidance:

1. Defensive driving techniques.
2. Avoiding a collision with the car ahead.
3. Avoiding being rear-0 ended by another vehicle.
4. How to choose an alternate path of travel as an escape route.

D. Procedures when involved in an accident:

1. Stopping requirements.
2. Aid to the injured.
3. Preventing further damage
4. Reporting requirements.
5. Exchanging information.
6. Additional steps.

E. Large trucks an recreational vehicles:

1. Never drive a large truck or recreational vehicle without proper training.
2. Sharing the road with large trucks.

F. School buses:

1. Flashing red lights mean both directions of traffic must stop at a safe…
2. Always obey hand signals or other instructions of school bus drivers.
3. Be as courteous as possible to school buses and give them the right of way…
4. Do not pull out in front of school buses or otherwise cause then to…
5. Be very cautious around stopped school buses, even if the red lights…
6. Treat school bus stops as school zones, drive 254 MPH

G. Pedestrian safety – as a pedestrian:

1. Pedestrian/bicycle accidents are #1 cause of death for ages 8-14
2. Safety at intersections with traffic signals
3. Cross only at intersections – don’t jaywalk.
4. Walk facing traffic
5. Wear bright and /or reflective clothing.
6. Don’t wear headphones.
7. Don’t walk on railroad tracks

H. Pedestrian safety – as a driver:

1. Always yield right of way to pedestrians…
2. Watch for pedestrians near:
3. Stop behind limit line, don’t block crosswalks.
4. Use special care when backing.
5. Don’t driver in bile lanes, except where permitted.

I. Bicycle safety:

1. For bicyclists.
2. For motorists.

J. Avoiding collisions with animals:

1. Vehicle damage, and human injury from larger animals.
2. Animals most active at dusk and dawn.
3. Don’t jeopardize vehicle control when avoiding animals.

K. Sharing the road with motorcycles:

1. Motorcycles are harder to see.
2. Motorcycles are harder to steer…
3. Be aware that cyclists must make a more major adjustment…
4. Be on the watch for careless motorcyclist.
5. Beware of motorcyclist “splitting” lanes.

L. Riding a motorcycle:

1. Wear proper, lightly colored riding apparel, including:
2. Pre-ride inspection.
3. Ride defensively.
4. Riding as a passenger on a motorcycle.

BEHIND THE WHEEL
Teaching Techniques for training drivers.

1. Running commentary
2. Silent solo.
3. Building student confidence.
4. Remaining calm
5. Use of second steering wheel and or brake
6. Sexual harassment.
7. Customer service and courtesy begins when you open the door.

Motor Vehicle equipment and maintenance.
A. Maintenance of the automobile.

1. Inspect tires for inflation, wear, or damage.
2. Electrical system.
3. Fuel system.
4. Gauges and instruments…
5. Lighting, heat, and ventilation controls.
6. Safety aids.
7. Periodic lubrication and oil changes.
8. Brake maintenance.
9. Engine tune- ups and transmission service as recommended.
10. Shock absorber strut operation and security of mounting.
11. Ensure smog control devices are intact and connected properly.

Chapter. 11 Student Orientations to vehicle features, controls, and operation.

A. Before entering automobile:

B. After entering automobile:

C. Starting the engine:

D. After starting engine:

1. Check instrument panel.
2. Lights and switches.
3. Clutch use
4. Automatic transmission
5. Heater/ defroster and air conditioner.

E. Moving the automobile forward:

1. Automatic transmission
2. Manual shift

F. Stopping the automobile:

1. Automobile transmission
2. Manual transmission, in second or low gear
3. Manual transmission in high gear

G. Moving and stopping automobile in reverse:

1. Same transmission and braking control techniques except:

H. Preparing to exit vehicle:

Chapter 12. Driving skills.

A. Parking techniques:

1. Pre-parking exercise
2. Parking at an angle entering space
3. Parking at an angle leaving space
4. Parking parallel entering space
5. Parking parallel leaving space.

Movie Placement
“ Red Asphalt 3”

“Drinking and driving the toll the tears”
“Water skiing on 4 wheels”
“The Final factor”
“Sharing the road with big trucks”

Classroom Handouts
“Teen Drivers a guide to a California’s new graduated driver license.”
“Seat belts don’t work”
“Am I too old to drive”
“Road rage-how to avoid aggressive drinking”
“Safety tips for freeway emergencies”