Learners Permit Secrets Part 2

After you have done some detailed research and understand the process of achieving your license, studied and taken some practice tests and have completed the permit test with a passing score it is time to utilize your new permit to assist in receiving your driver’s license. The learner’s permit was originally created to allow young drivers an opportunity to practice basic road safety with a supervised driver before attempting to join the millions operating motor vehicles daily. Learn more about learners permit here: https://www.dmvcheatsheets.com/dmv/learners_permit

Learner’s Permit Driving Logs

Driving logs, or practice logs depending on your state are active records you must keep while practicing on the road. Each state has different restrictions that regulate what times of day and where you are allowed to drive while practicing. In general, most states restrict night driving to between 12 and 16 hours and in many learners’ permit holders are not permitted to drive on freeways or interstates. In every state, practicing on the driver’s obstacle course before testing is also not permitted. Check with your state’s particular restrictions before driving to assure that all rules are followed.

Your log must be filled out each time you drive with information including:

• The time of day
• Amount of time you spent on the road
• Any particular aspects you practiced that are specifically required such as parallel parking and making lefts.

Each record also requires your licensed driver’s signature to confirm that the record is accurate. It is important to fill out your log truthfully. This critical practice time is more about your safe driving skills and practice for the road test than filling out a book for the Department of Motor Vehicles so filling out false driving time is really only cheating yourself. In addition to your practice log, you can utilize the great Driver’s License Checklist offered by www.dmv.org, an interactive program allowing you to track your learning progress and see how others in your age group are progressing.

Types of Road Skills to Practice

There are several important aspects to practice while on the road during your practice time. Learning how to read traffic signs and understanding common road markings are two excellent ways to begin your training. In addition, use your states Driver’s Manual to cover the specific aspects of driving you may find on the road test including left and right turns at an intersection and how to properly signal a lane change. There are plenty of helpful guides online as well, including cheat sheets by state that will assist you in being fully prepared for the driver’s test. Get test questions here: https://www.dmvcheatsheets.com/articles?tag=dmv+questions. Other essential aspects of driving that you should practice include:

• What to do when an emergency vehicle approaches and how to properly handle school buses on the road
• Maintaining the proper speed limits and how to identify the limit for a road. In addition, learn about special limits such as a school zone and construction area
• Proper control of the vehicle itself, making smooth stops and correct acceleration. This can only be learned through practice behind the wheel
• How to use your vehicles safety equipment including seatbelts and mirrors. During adverse weather conditions such as rain and snow, know how to turn on your wipers and headlights
• Remaining safe during rush hour traffic and congested traffic areas and avoiding accidents when an emergency is present are two additional skills that can only be learned by driving

Though it is essential for passing the final tests that you study the DMV handbook and other great practice materials, the only sure way to become a safe driver and ace the road test is to practice with hands on training behind the wheel of a car. Some key aspects of safe driving can only be learned on the road through experience and repetitive training such as vehicle control and steering. Through practice, you will learn to hone your reflexes and give yourself a faster reaction time when an emergency or hazard comes your way.

Guideline to Utilizing Practice Time

Practicing with your learners permit is about more than just passing the road test; it’s about your safety and the safety of others on the road by teaching you the skills necessary to be a great driver. Therefore it is smart to come up with a game plan for getting behind the wheel and using that critical time as wisely as possible. You can design your own guideline based on your abilities and allowed time to drive, or use the following tips to practice:

For Beginners

• The first time on the road keep it simple. If you have never been behind the wheel, learning to control the car is the first and most important step to practice. Take a few minutes to become familiar with the inside of the vehicle. Adjust your mirrors so that you can properly see and locate the tools you will need while driving such as windshield wipers, headlights and hazard lights. Stay in your neighborhood where the speed limits and traffic volumes are low so that you can become familiar with steering and the use of gas and brakes.
• You can make a few left and right turns from residential streets to become familiar with how to properly signal, reading signs correctly and the operations involved in turning the vehicle.
• Practice maintaining the speed limit and identifying signs as well. In most residential areas you will find at least one school that you can practice passing through, though it would be best to do this during after school hours your first few trips on the road for safety. For more road safety tips, click: https://www.dmvcheatsheets.com/articles/tips-on-safe-driving