Originally Posted On: https://brentwooddrivertraining.com/6-key-elements-of-effective-driver-training-programs/
6 Key Elements of Effective Driver Training Programs
In order to get your license as a Tennessee teen, you’ll need to meet a variety of state government requirements. For example, drivers with a permit will need 50 hours of driving experience and a passing score on the Driver License Knowledge Test to receive their license.
One of the best ways to prepare your teen for the road is to sign them up for professional driver training. A good driver training program offers more than just safe driving tips and includes hands-on experience and more.
What should you look for in a beginner driver training program? Read on for six elements of effective driver training programs.
1. Comprehensive Driver’s Ed Curriculum
The Tennessee Driver License Knowledge Test consists of 60 questions and drivers must answer a minimum of 48 questions correctly to pass. The questions will cover topics such as:
- Road signs
- Traffic laws
- Safe driving choices
Driver training programs should prepare new drivers to pass this test with flying colors. They should offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers any questions that may appear on the test.
Because this is a lot of information to cover, the instructor or instructive materials should have a fun and interactive approach. By truly engaging students, a great driver’s education program will not only help students retain the information they’re learning but also ensure that they continue to apply that information to their own driving in the future.
Brentwood Driver Training is led by experienced instructors who are committed to making the driver’s education process enjoyable and comprehensive.
2. Flexible Driver’s Ed Options
In the state of Tennessee, driver training is not a requirement. Instead, it is a highly recommended tool that can help students prepare for both their knowledge test and practical test.
Because driver training programs aren’t a requirement, there’s no reason for schools to offer one rigid option. Everyone deserves access to driver safety training, no matter their schedule or circumstances. At Brentwood Driver Training, we offer a:
- Teen Classroom Course: 30 hours of in-classroom learning, six hours of behind-the-wheel time, and driver simulation
- Home Video Driver Training: virtual curriculum that mirrors our classroom curriculum, six hours of behind-the-wheel time, and driver simulation
- Individual Driving Lessons
We are specially licensed to provide in-car training to drivers without a permit, which is an option that many driver training programs can’t offer.
3. Safety-First Driving Tips
When we talk about the rules of the road, we’re certainly talking about traffic laws. You should always abide by the speed limit, never run a red light, and recognize when pedestrians or other drivers have the right of way.
In addition to following traffic laws, however, safe drivers need to have good instincts that keep themselves and others safe. Great driver training will go beyond the basics to instill a safe driving mindset. This includes teaching students how to:
- Account for blind spots in their vehicles
- Stay alert without losing sight of the road ahead
- Practice defensive driving without being overreactive
Many of the skills new drivers should master require an awareness of driving safety. At Brentwood Driver Training, we help students build the intuitive skills needed to make smart, safe driving decisions.
4. Distraction Awareness
For the modern driver, distractions abound. From our constantly active smartphones to the increasingly complex infotainment systems in cars, there’s always something that could take your eyes off the road. According to Progressive, distracted driving is one of the top causes of teen car accidents.
An effective driver training program will stress the importance of driving without distractions. Instructors will hold conversations about the risks of driving while:
- Using a cellphone
- Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Paying attention to something inside the vehicle, like the radio
- Looking at or goofing around with friends
Brentwood Driver Training instructors don’t just explain the risks. They also talk about ways to avoid distractions and how to safely pull over when distractions are unavoidable.
5. Confidence-Building Instructors
When we talk about defensive driving, we’re talking about drivers who have built strong defensive reflexes. For example, these drivers know when and how to safely hit the brakes when a car ahead makes an abrupt stop. They know how to adjust their driving speed based on the drivers around them, and not just the speed limit.
What we don’t want is to instill fear. While a nervous driver may seem more cautious, it’s possible that they can make more mistakes because they’re quick to react in unnecessary ways.
There’s a reason why we stress the importance of confidence when practicing driving. When a driver feels confident in their ability to make safe decisions, they hit the road with calm and mindfulness. Brentwood Driver Training instructors go the extra mile to instill confidence in beginner drivers while making sure they’re aware of the risks and rules of the road.
6. Practical Experience
One of the best ways to engrain safe driving tips is by putting them into practice. A driver’s education program that includes practical experience can:
- Help students learn to react to things like road signs
- Prepare students for different elements of their practical driving test such as parallel parking
- Safely practice driving in a car equipped with dual controls
As we mentioned earlier, our driver’s education programs involve both behind-the-wheel training and driver simulation programs. A study found in Science Direct states that drivers who did well using driver simulation programs were less fearful and more equipped to pass their practical driving test. This is exactly what we strive to achieve at Brentwood Driver Training.
Enroll Your Teen in Brentwood Driver Training Today
In Tennessee, great driver training can help teens and adults prepare for their knowledge and practical tests. While it’s not a requirement, driver’s education can support passing scores and create safer, more confident drivers.
At Brentwood Driver Training, our skilled instructors use the latest technology. From our dual control driver education fleet to our driving simulation program, we prioritize safety every step of the way. Find the location nearest to you and learn more about how we can help.
