Purpose

Students are introduced to the course. What they can expect from the course, other drivers, the police, and regulatory authorities is outlined. What is expected of them is outlined. Young driver accidents are discussed and the rationale of the course, referencing accident data, is explained. General administration is completed .

Students are provided with sufficient information to enable them to become familiar with new and different vehicles, and to ensure they are able to assess the condition of a vehicle.

Duration: 120 minutes

Learning Objectives

Performance Objectives

1. Actively participate in discussions and group work.

2. Look through a vehicle owner's manual to find the following:

• recommended maintenance schedule; and,
• the recommended tire pressures.

Knowledge Objectives

Student knows:

• what is required to obtain a driver's licence;
• the requirements to pass the course;
• what is expected of new drivers;
• what to expect from other drivers and what to do about it;
• the high-risk situations which can lead to accidents;
• that the best way to learn to drive is through continued practice, particularly in the early stages of learning;
• benefits of a learning contract;
• what driving styles are;
• how to conduct the pre-drive drill; and,
• how to adjust a seat belt properly.

Teaching Points

1. Driving is both a psychomotor and information-processing skill that requires considerable practice to perfect.
2. A good driver complies with the rules of the road and drives in a predictable manner according to these rules and the prevailing driving style.
3. Good drivers are courteous and drive defensively, which means they allow other drivers time and space in which to manoeuvre and make errors.
4. In reality, experienced drivers will not necessarily be courteous and make allowances for your mistakes. They will frequently make mistakes themselves.
5. A tremendous variation in control position and methods of use exist from one vehicle to another; e.g., windshield wipers.
6. To drive safely and well, you must know precisely where all the controls are, and precisely how they are used in the vehicle you are driving.

Content

1. Course outline and requirements to pass the course - established by instructor
2. Young driver frequency of accidents and convictions - see current Transport Canada data.
3. Young driver accident circumstance data - see Driver's Handbook (NUM, TL)
4. Driver licence classifications - see Driver's Handbook
5. Requirements for a driver's licence - see Driver's Handbook
6. Learning contract - see Co-pilot manual
7. Vehicle familiarization - see Driver's Handbook
8. Owner's manual - obtain an assortment of owner's manuals
9. Pre-drive drill - see Driver's Handbook
10. Vehicle check - see Driver's Handbook
11. Seatbelt adjustment - see Driver's Handbook

Assignments

1. Prepare a draft contract.
2. Carry out the vehicle familiarization and pre-drive drill on one vehicle.
3. Find the owner's manual for the vehicle you will be driving and record the same information as you obtained in class. Also, record the make and model of the vehicle you will be driving.

Instructional Approaches

• Work in groups to develop your own vehicle familiarization and pre-drive drill. Verify your check against existing forms.
• Solicit student responses and fill in the gaps.
• Use slides or overhead transparencies to show the data.
• Use contract blanks.

Support Requirements

Materials

• Slides or transparencies of data
• Contract blanks

Equipment

• Slide or overhead projector
• One owner's manual per student
• One form per group for the classroom plus one form per student of each of the following:

  	 - vehicle familiarization; and,
  	 - pre-drive drill.

Notes: