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 |
Mastered |
| 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 |
Mastered |
| 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 |
Mastered |
| 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.