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Montana Teen Driver �Education & Training��PARENT MEETING��Welcome!

Revised 2018

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Transition to Unsupervised Driving

In the early months of unsupervised driving, the majority of teens exhibit good driving habits however the study did find instances of texting behind the wheel, horseplay with passengers and running red lights.

While a very small number of instances of deliberate risk‐taking behavior were observed, the vast majority of “close calls” involved judgment errors that seemed to be indicative of inexperience and failure to anticipate changes in the traffic environment. A common scenario involved the teen braking hard after having initially failed to notice that traffic ahead was slowing or stopped.

Once teen drivers obtain their license to drive independently, the passenger make up shifts dramatically.

2011 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Report

Authors: Arthur Goodwin

Robert Foss

Natalie O’Brien

UNC Highway Safety Research Center

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Corvallis Schools Traffic Education Website

Please check out our new website!

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Driver’s Education Parent Meeting Registration Form

2026

This is on our webpage!

Please Take a few minutes to fill this out if you haven’t already!

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Checklist

Ask yourself these important questions…

If yes, score a point; give a score 1-10

Does your child know how to operate any mechanized tools, saws, drills, etc?
Does my child know how to operate a lawn mower, motorcycle, tractor or weedeater?
Can your child plan and prepare a family meal? Do they know how to operate the stove, microwave, oven, or blender?
Can your child read non-verbal cues, body language or other non-verbal communication?
Can your child ride a bike or other 2 wheel motorized devices successfully?
Does your child get anxious easily?
Is your child motivated to learn to drive?
Can your child be left alone at home for several hours?
Can your child look at a picture and draw conclusions about the picture?
Can your child go into a store and purchase a list of 3 or more items?

Score 1-10 on yes’s

How would your child draw a picture of an intersection of 2 roads? Draw on whiteboard and discuss with your child.

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Parent Meetings Required (10.13.307 ARM)

An approved traffic education program for young novice drivers must include a parent meeting at the beginning of the driver education class that covers:

course schedule, requirements, and expectations of the teen student and the parents/guardians;
information on Montana's graduated driver licensing (GDL) law;
best practices in GDL and parental involvement that includes:
managing their teen's graduated learning process through each stage of the GDL;
tips on supervising the driving practice during the initial permit phase;
tips to determine when their teen is ready for the next step in driving;
objectives for success and significant hazards associated with each driving phase;
and information and tools to negotiate and adopt a written agreement between the teen and parent that reflects the expectations of both, including clearly defined restrictions, privileges, rules, and consequences that serve as a basis for the teen to earn and for the parent to grant progressively broader driving privileges;
and any other information that the district considers important for the successful and safe completion of driver education.

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Driver Education �Parents/Guardians Meeting

Paperwork- Driver’s License Application (BC & SS card), contract, TEP form
Review traffic education schedule.
Requirements and expectations of the student driver and parents/ guardians.
Montana Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law:

Requires six months minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving including 10 hours at night with a licensed parent/guardian or adult licensed driver authorized by the parent/guardian.
Teen drivers need 2 hours of driving practice each week to meet the required 50 hours within six months. Learner licenses are valid for one year.
Limits passengers and restricts night driving with first year solo license.
No traffic tickets, alcohol or drug use.
Everyone wears a seat belt at all times in the vehicle.

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Parent Meetings Required (10.13.307 ARM)

An approved traffic education program for young novice drivers must include a parent meeting at the beginning of the driver education class that covers:

course schedule, requirements, and expectations of the teen student and the parents/guardians;
information on Montana's graduated driver licensing (GDL) law;
best practices in GDL and parental involvement that includes:
managing their teen's graduated learning process through each stage of the GDL;
tips on supervising the driving practice during the initial permit phase;
tips to determine when their teen is ready for the next step in driving;
objectives for success and significant hazards associated with each driving phase;
and information and tools to negotiate and adopt a written agreement between the teen and parent that reflects the expectations of both, including clearly defined restrictions, privileges, rules, and consequences that serve as a basis for the teen to earn and for the parent to grant progressively broader driving privileges;
and any other information that the district considers important for the successful and safe completion of driver education.

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The Driver License Application

Parent/legal guardian must fill out and sign the 3-page driver license application and agree to assume financial and legal liability for damages or losses. Must be notarized if not signed in presence of instructor.
Bring in certified birth certificate, piece of mail with student’s name/physical address, Social Security card, and eyeglasses/ contacts, if needed, for vision test.
Student MUST be at least 14.5 on the day the Knowledge Exam is given to receive a Learner License while enrolled in traffic education.

The Cooperative Driver Testing Program (CDTP) allows a trained and certified driver education instructor to administer the written exam and road test to students taking driver education.

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Getting Your Montana Driver’s License

Traffic Education Permit (TEP)

To drive only with instructor; filled out each drive

After GDL 50 hours

and 6 months

of supervised driving practice and NO alcohol, drug or traffic violations

As soon as student passes the Written Driver’s License Test, they will receive their Learner’s Permit

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One of the incentives for teens to enroll in driver education is to qualify for a driver license before age 16. Parents value the professional instruction and guided practice to help their teens develop safe driving skills and habits.

Generally teachers cover the first few modules on Preparing to Drive, Basic Control and Traffic Laws before administering the CDTP tests.

Students must be age 14.5 and participating in traffic education to be eligible to take the DOJ/MVD Knowledge test and receive a Traffic Education Learner’s License.

Passing the Knowledge Test could create the illusion that teens know how to drive even though the MT Driver Manual includes:

“SECTION 6 - SAFE DRIVING TIPS

No manual can teach you how to operate a vehicle or be a safe driver. Driving requires skill you can only gain through instruction and practice, and even then it all depends on how you choose to apply what you have learned.”

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Traffic Education Program Details

60 hours required for course completion

Classroom schedule- All classes MANDATORY (42 hours); Tardiness and absences are not acceptable
Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Driving Time- Extremely tightly scheduled; do NOT miss a drive (6 hours driving required; 12 hours of observation required)
3 different cars used- Know where to meet & which car you are driving on a particular day- located in white garage door or 3 car shed north of district office
Drive groups- Either specific driving Groups or Sign up weekly (groups of 2 or 3)
CDTP- Cooperative Driver Testing Program- will give driving test up to 3 times; if not passed, student will take it at MVD
Students bring ChromeBooks daily to class
Successful Completion- 82% on all the classwork required

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Please join

the REMIND App

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Schedule of classes

Classes are mandatory- 42 hours needed pass passing class; 25 contact dates required

No unexcused absences

Communicate with instructor about sickness or emergencies

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Google Classroom

All materials each day will be posted in GC “Playlist”; assignments are given each class
Chromebooks are needed each day to complete module tests & access resources

Class Code

Please join the class

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GDL Step 1: Guided Practice �6 -12 months • 50+ hours • 10 at night

Learn the rules of the road, then it’s time to practice, practice, practice.

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GDL Step 1: �Learner License

Pass the written test.
Drive with any licensed adult: 50 hours (10 at night) for at least 6 months.
Keep a driving log.
No alcohol, drugs or traffic tickets.
Must wear a seat belt.

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Driver examiners will ask to view practice log when teens apply for their first-year restricted license.

GDL Fact Sheet & Practice Driving Log

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TeenDrivingPlan Practice Guide

This interactive resource is designed to help parents effectively supervise their teen’s driving practice.

The TeenDrivingPlan Parent Guide can be printed to keep in the car or downloaded to an electronic device or desktop.

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GDL Step 2: First-Year GDL Restricted License

Register online for an appointment to get your restricted license

https://dojmt.gov/driving/driver-licensing/#DLID3

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FIRST solo license. Valid for one year.

Seat belts required – �for everyone, all the time.

Passengers are restricted:

First 6 months – only one
Second 6 months – up to three

Best Practice: No passengers.

Night driving is restricted:

11:00 pm – 5:00 am

Best Practice: Drive in daylight when you can. The real risk is darkness.

Montana GDL Step 2: Restricted License

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Montana GDL Step 2: Restricted License

When you get your GDL, you’ll have the opportunity to become an organ donor

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Why are Passengers Restricted for �New Teen Drivers?

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What are the risks facing teen drivers?

Lack of driving experience
Judgment
Speed
Distractions, including passengers
Fatigue, driving drowsy
Alcohol is involved in about 16% of fatal crashes involving 16- and 17-year-old drivers

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These factors cause crashes, but what kills?

Not wearing a seat belt

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Inexperience = More Crashes

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This 2003 research is old, but the fact remains that driving experience matters. The longer teens drive, the more the risk of a crash drops. It’s clear: crashes drop sharply after 6 months and 1,000 miles of licensure. However, the crash risk among younger drivers remains twice that of adults until age 25.

AAAFTS 2011 Measuring Changes in Teen Crashes During Early Months of Independent Driving

Teen drivers are 50% more likely to crash in the first month of having a license than they are after a full year of experience. Drivers in their first month are nearly twice as likely to crash as they are after two years experience.

57% of crashes in which a teen was partially responsible during the month involved three common mistakes – failure to reduce speed, inattention, and failure to yield.

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GDL in Montana – reducing teen crashes 48.5%

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As your teen’s driving skills improve, practice driving in varied road and stormy weather conditions.

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Teen Driver Source

Understand parents' crucial role. Teens who say their parents set rules and are highly supportive (known as “Authoritative”), are half as likely to crash and less likely to drive intoxicated, speed, or use a cell phone while driving. They also are more likely to buckle up than teens with less involved parents.

Support greater parent involvement in the learning to drive process. Public policy needs to go beyond merely requiring 50 hours of parent supervised driving. According to a recent naturalistic study, parents know their teens need lots of practice during the learner phase but cannot articulate specifics. Parents typically cover vehicle handling and maneuvering skills under benign conditions (i.e., little to no traffic, nice weather) but do not teach skills such as scanning for hazards or regulating speed for driving conditions.

CHOP research shows these skill deficits lead to a significant portion of driver error-related teen crashes. Parents also need to have their teens practice in a variety of settings, including with commuter traffic, on rural and urban roads, and in inclement weather. Share the study with policymakers to advocate for greater parent involvement in the learning to drive process.

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Kids are watching. �Be the driver you want your teen to be.

Always wear your seat belt and make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.
Stay off your cell phone while driving.
Actively participate with your teen during driver education.
Calmly supervise teen driving and encourage safe driving habits.
Once your teen is licensed, set driving rules, limits and consequences.
Know Montana's Graduated Driver License Law: https://dojmt.gov/driving/driver-licensing/#graduated-driver-licensing

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We All Need to Buckle Up�The sobering statistics …

On Montana roadways in 2015:

224 people died in crashes

118 deaths = not wearing seat belt

86 were ejected

200 of 248 of unbelted passengers suffered �fatal or serious injuries

111 of the 118 unrestrained people died in crashes on rural roads

Seventy percent (70%) of the time, when the driver is unbuckled, �children in the vehicle are also unbuckled.

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Teens & Young Adults at Risk�The deadly consequences of not buckling up

The orange section of the graphs shows how many people were not wearing seat belts and died in a crash.

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Lowest risk is when driving with your parent or guardian.

Highest lifetime crash risk is in the first year of independent driving.

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“A teen driver’s greatest lifetime chance of crashing occurs in the first 6 to 12 months after receiving a driver license.” Lowest lifetime crash risk is during supervised learner period.

http://www.chop.edu/healthinfo/teenage-drivers.html

Transition to Unsupervised Driving

“In the early months of unsupervised driving (Step 2 of the GDL), the majority of teens exhibit good driving habits. However, the study did find instances of texting behind the wheel, horseplay with passengers, and running red lights.

While a very small number of instances of deliberate risk‐taking behavior were observed, the vast majority of “close calls” involved judgment errors that seemed to be indicative of inexperience and failure to anticipate changes in the traffic environment. A common scenario involved the teen braking hard after having initially failed to notice that traffic ahead was slowing or stopped.”

2011 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Report

Authors: Arthur Goodwin

Robert Foss

Natalie O’Brien

UNC Highway Safety Research Center

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Teens and Judgment

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This graphic is from an advertisement published by Allstate Insurance:

“Even bright, mature teenagers sometimes do things that are “stupid.”

But when that happens, it’s not really their fault. It’s because their brain hasn’t finished developing. The underdeveloped area is called the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex. It plays a critical role in decision making, problem solving and understanding future consequences of today’s actions. Problem is, it won’t be fully mature until they’re into their 20s.”

NPR Story: The Teen Brain: It’s Just Not Grown Up Yet (March 2010)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124119468

Adolescent Brains are a Work in Progress: Here’s Why

Frontline – PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/work/adolescent.html

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Can I borrow the car?�The conversation starter that might keep a teen from crashing.

Sharing the car gives parents the opportunity to:

review house rules,
help with trip decisions,
provide support on peer pressure.

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Teen asks Parent:

Can I ride with a friend?

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Don’t let your teen be the passenger that distracts an inexperienced teen driver.

Parent replies: �Is your friend a safe driver?

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Terminology and Practice Pointers

For supervising parents, guardians,

and other supervising adults

The following slides are examples of lessons and terminology your student driver will learn.

Your teen’s teacher will share with you other resources and guides to help your teen successfully meet the goals of this course, and help you supervise your teen driver during Step 1 of the GDL process.

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Terminology we use in the car:

Steering for Balance and Control

Proper hand position is at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4.

Why?

Air bags and power steering. This hand position keeps arms out of the way.

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Terminology we use in the car:

Minimum Following Distance

Or … how not to be a tailgater

**4 second rule

Drivers have the most control over the space directly in front of the vehicle.

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Terminology we use in the car:

Reference Points

Front Limitation

at intersections
in a stopped position
perpendicular parking

Managing the space around your vehicle:

Front Limitation

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Terminology we use in the car:

LOS-POT

Line of Sight - Path of Travel Blockages

What you can’t see can hurt you.

A safe driver knows to slow down at this curve, not pass slower vehicles, and wait to see what’s around the bend before speeding up.

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Terminology we use in the car:

Targeting

Find • Solve • Control

FIND: Finding what is relevant. �LOS and POT blockages.

SOLVE: Deciding my options to create more space and time.�Checking related zones before acting.

CONTROL: Putting my decisions into action. �Lane position, speed control, communication.

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Distractions are Often Deadly

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Visual - Eyes �on the road
Cognitive - Mind on driving and active scanning for hazards
Manual - Hands on the steering wheel

Attentive Driving is Defensive Driving

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How many distractions are too many?

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Encourage safe driving at home and school

http://impactteendrivers.org/resources/tools/icommit-cards

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From a Belt Up PSA for Road Safety Commission of Western Australia

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“You’ve invested time and caring �to grow them well �and keep them healthy and safe.

Your time and caring are needed now �more than ever.”

David Huff, Traffic Education Director – 1992 - 2011

Montana Office of Public Instruction

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