What's Taught In a Driving Lesson?

You've signed up and scheduled your first driving lesson with Coastline Academy - are you excited? We hope so, but we also know you might be nervous, anxious, and wondering what you're going to learn in your driving lessons. This is normal! Let's take a look at your driving lessons and what you can expect during your time behind the wheel with your driving instructor.

Overview

At Coastline, we understand that every student is different and will learn at a different pace. Here is a simple overview of the skills we aim to teach in a typical lesson.

The total number of lessons you will take depends on state requirements, but more often than not, most students under 18 will take three, 2-hour lessons. (In Texas, this will be seven, 2-hour lessons split between behind-the-wheel and observation activities). Let's take a look at a typical three-lesson, two-hour format and what skills you

Beginning Lesson (Lesson 1; Lessons 1-2 in Texas)

Once you are in the car with the driving instructor, there are a few things to cover before moving out onto the street. This includes:

• Adjusting your seat
• Adjusting the mirrors
• Adjusting the steering wheel
• Seat Belts
• Proper hand placement on steering wheel
• Foot pedals and foot placement on those pedals
• Changing gears
• Parking Brake
• Turn Signals
• Windshield Wipers
• Speedometer Check
• Shoulder/Blind Spot Check

After working through all those checks and adjustments, it's now time to hit the road! In your first driving lesson(s), the instructor will work with you on the following techniques:

• Acceleration
• Braking
• Space Cushion
• Speed Consistency
• Steering
• Stopping
• Yielding
• Speed Bumps
• Lane Position
• Scanning/Aiming High
• Crosswalks
• Intersections
• Stop Signs
• Signal Lights
• Right Turns in Residential Areas
• Left Turns in Residential Areas
• Hand-over-Hand Turning
• Pulling Over to the Curb
• Reversing

Commercial Skills Lesson (Lesson 2; Lessons 2-5 in Texas)

After your first lesson s), you should be practicing your driving with your parents or another licensed driver. This allows you to practice the techniques learned in the first lesson(s) and come prepared and ready to go for your next appointment!

Before hitting the road for your Commercial Skills Lesson, your instructor will remind you of any of the car features from your first lesson(s) you need a refresher on. Once that's done, you'll get back behind the wheel and work on the following techniques:

• Signal Light Intersections
• Protected Right Turns
• Unprotected Right Turns
• Protected Left Turns
• Unprotected Left Turns
• U-Turns
• Traffic Circles
• Lane Changes
• Scanning/Aiming High
• Blind Spot Checks
• Spotting Road Signs and Knowing Their Meaning
• Curbside Parking
• Curbside Reversing
• Parking Lot Driving and Parking

Advanced Lesson (Lesson 3; Lessons 5-7 in Texas)

Before heading out for your final lesson(s), your instructor will remind you of any car features from your previous lessons you might need a refresher on. Once that's done, you'll get back behind the wheel and work on the following techniques:

• Highway/Freeway Driving
• Merging
• Following Flow of Traffic
• Hill Parking
• Parallel Parking
• Mock Driving Test

Remember - everyone learns at a different pace! You are in no way limited to three, six, seven, or even ten lessons! If you feel that you need more practice behind the wheel with one of our certified instructors, you are always welcome to book additional lessons! Every lesson helps to reinforce essential driving techniques and help you become more confident behind the wheel.

Questions? Reach out to our friendly support team! If you are ready to get behind the wheel, then book your driving lesson today.