Teen Training

Below we describe our typical approach for teens who have a 6 hour package (three 2‑hour lessons.)  This meets the legal requirement for teens, but some families elect to pay for more lessons.  Your own training experience will be tailored for your specific needs.

Training As a "Jump Start" For Practice
Driving is harder than it looks, and six hours is not enough time to become a safe driver!  Even when you have a highly‑trained instructor, most teens will improve the most during 50 hours of practice with parents.  So your instructor's number one goal (after safety) is to empower you to make practice with parents as effective as possible.

Our training is extremely effective at "jump starting" your practice time.  There are many reasons we encourage parents to ride along.  The techniques we reveal to teens are most effective when parents are also familiar with them.  Parents also provide a "second set of ears" which is very helpful because very often, students become so focused that they can miss details as the instructor speaks... And our instructors have a lot to say!

Your First Two‑Hour Lesson
We show you how to adjust the seat, wheel, and mirrors.  We explain all the controls in the car.  Before you drive, we demonstrate basic steering, braking, and acceleration techniques.  Then "we" (teen at the helm, instructor in the co-pilot/passenger seat) will drive slowly around a nearby block with right turns.  Next, we'll work on "posturing" the car for turns, smooth braking and acceleration.  Later we'll demonstrate more advanced steering techniques: controlling the wheel as it straightens with acceleration after a sharp turn, 3‑point turns, edging forward for a better view after braking at stop signs.  Before we continue, we provide a general review of the rules of the road.

In the first lesson, most new drivers become ready for their first drive on multiple‑lane streets up to 45MPH.  This does NOT mean you're ready to drive the same streets with your family.  We train this way for one reason: Before you practice new skills with your family, you should learn proper techniques with specially‑equipped cars and professional instructors who can reliably intervene if necessary for safety.

During your first lesson, your instructor will sign and stamp your permit, and you'll be legal to drive with a parent as your passenger-side front seat instructor.

Your First Practice with Your Parents
In the first lesson we introduce you to some pretty advanced skills.  But you're probably still getting used to steering, braking and acceleration.  So the first time you practice with your parents, go directly to an empty parking lot and zigzag around concrete barriers.  Do this for an hour or two.  Accelerate reasonably; slow down for turns.  Work at a pace everyone is comfortable with.  Before the next lesson over the next few weeks, advance to residential areas, then work up to the multiple lane roads.  Try not to drive the same route every day.  Take your time; there's no rush.  Remember, you must wait at least six months to get your license, and your permit is valid for a year.

Your Second Lesson (Track A - Typical scenario)
If you'll be taking only three lessons with us, try to get about three months of practice before the second lesson.  By this time, you should be able to make successful lane changes, even if they still need improvement.  Ideally this will be your first time on the freeway.  We'll go to downtown Sacramento where we'll work on freeway merging, one‑way streets, narrow alleys, lane changes in heavy traffic, and a wide variety of other scenarios.  We use a specific route in the downtown area to cover as many situations as possible.

Your Second Lesson (Track B - If the family has trouble with practice)
If you or your parents find practicing overly stressful, or if you weren't able to advance to multi‑lane streets during Lesson 1, it's a good idea to call us so we can arrange Lesson 2 sooner than usual.  It's usually not lack of skill, but fear that makes this type of lesson worthwhile.  In this case, Lesson 2 will reinforce Lesson 1 and further focus on helping the family practice driving together with less stress.  (Training and practice should stretch your abilities, but no lesson should ever go beyond your comfort level.)  The goal, as always, is to empower the family to work together.  Although the legal requirement is just 6 hours, you can always take more lessons if you or your parents feel you need them.

Your Last Lesson
When you know the date of your DMV driving test, call us to schedule your last lesson.  It should take place a week or two before the test.  It's not a good idea to take this lesson the day before the test because we will probably identify areas to practice first.  The final lesson is the most flexible.  By now, most students have adopted a few bad habits which can cause them to fail the driving test. This may include driving past limit lines, not coming to a complete stop, speeding, or not checking blind spots. We'll identify areas that need attention and work on ways to improve them.  We'll usually drive in the area of the DMV office where you intend to take your test.  If we have time, we will run through several simulated tests.  We always make the best use of your time for driving safely and passing the test the first time.

After Every Lesson
If a parent doesn't ride along, we ask to meet with a parent for 5 or 10 minutes if they're available.  During this time you, your parents, and your instructor can discuss your progress and your most challenging areas.  We discuss ways to work as a team to target and overcome every issue.