Course Content
CHAPTER 1: ASSESSING AND MANAGING RISK
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1.1: THE HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND RISK MANAGEMENT
1.2: UNDERSTANDING AND APPLING THE SIPDE PROCESS
1.3: UNDERSTANDING AND USING THE SMITH SYSTEM
1.4: THE VALUE OF TAKING A DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE
CHAPTER 1 QUIZ
CHAPTER 2: KNOWING YOURSELF
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2.1: EMOTIONS AFFECT YOUR DRIVING ABILITY
2.2: HOW VISION AFFECTS YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE
2.3: TEMPORARY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE
2.4: LONG TERM PHYSICAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT DRIVING ABILITY
CHAPTER 2 QUIZ
CHAPTER 3: HANDLING SOCIAL PRESSURES
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3.1: ALCOHOL’S EFFECT ON ONE’S HEALTH AND ONE’S FUTURE
3.2: ALCOHOL AND ITS EFFECTS ON DRIVING
3.3: HOW OTHER DRUGS AFFECT DRIVING ABILITY
3.4: DISTRACTIONS CAN INCREASE DRIVING RISK
CHAPTER 3 QUIZ
CUMULATIVE REVIEW - UNIT 1
CHAPTER 4: SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND MARKINGS
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4.1: UNDERSTANDING REGULATORY AND WARNING SIGNS
4.2: GUIDE AND INTERNATIONAL SIGNS
4.3: UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS
4.4: RESPONDING TO TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS
CHAPTER 4 QUIZ
CHAPTER 5: RULES OF THE ROAD
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5.1: Each State Has Administrative Laws
5.2: RIGHT OF WAY RULES ARE ESSENTIAL
5.3: SPEED LIMITS HELP IN REDUCING RISK
5.4: IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION
CHAPTER 5 QUIZ
CHAPTER 6: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
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6.1: COMFORT AND CONTROL SYSTEMS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
6.2: THE VISIBILITY AND PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS OF YOUR CAR
6.3: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
6.4: CHECKS AND PROCEDURES TO USE BEFORE DRIVING
CHAPTER 6 QUIZ
CHAPTER 7: STARTING, STEERING, AND STOPPING
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7.1: BASIC OPERATING PROCEDURES: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7.2: BASIC OPERATING PROCEDURES: MANUAL TRANSMISSION
7.3: ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, AND SPEED
7.4: LEARNING HOW TO STEER THE CAR
CHAPTER 7 QUIZ
CHAPTER 8: BASIC DRIVING SKILLS
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8.1: MOVING FROM A CURB INTO TRAFFIC AND OUT OF TRAFFIC TO A CURB
8.2: MANAGING POWER AND SPEED ON HILLS AND MOUNTAINS
8.3: MANAGING VISIBILITY, TIME, AND SPACE WHEN CHANGING LANES
8.4: PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND BEING PASSED
CHAPTER 8 QUIZ
CUMULATIVE REVIEW: UNIT 2
CHAPTER 9: TURNING AND PARKING
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9.1: HOW TO PREPARE FOR AND EXECUTE A RIGHT TURN
9.2: HOW TO PREPARE FOR AND EXECUTE A LEFT TURN
9.3: PLANNING AND EXECUTING A REVERSE IN DIRECTION
9.4: HOW TO PREPARE FOR AND EXECUTE A PARKING MANEUVER
CHAPTER 9 QUIZ
Chapter 10: DRIVING ENVIRONMENTS
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10.1: MANAGING VISIBILITY, TIME, AND SPACE
10.2: VISIBILITY, TIME, AND SPACE ON URBAN STREETS
10.3: VISIBILITY, TIME, AND SPACE ON RURAL ROADS
10.4: VISIBILITY, TIME, AND SPACE ON MULTIPLE LANE HIGHWAYS
CHAPTER 10 QUIZ
Chapter 11: LIGHT AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
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11.1: DRIVING SAFELY IN LOW LIGHT AND AT NIGHT
11.2: VISIBILITY, BRIGHT LIGHT, AND GLARE
11.3: MINIMIZING RISK IN RAIN AND SNOW
11.4: OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS
CHAPTER 11 QUIZ
Chapter 12: SHARING THE ROADWAY
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12.1: SHARING THE ROADWAY WITH PEDESTRIANS AND ANIMALS
12.2: SHARING THE ROADWAY WITH MOTORCYCLES AND BICYCLES
12.3: SHARING THE ROADWAY WITH OTHER VEHICLES
12.4: SAFE DRIVING PROCEDURES AT RAILROAD CROSSING
CHAPTER 12 QUIZ
Chapter 13: NATURAL LAWS AND DRIVING
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13.1: NATURAL LAWS AND THE MOVEMENT OF YOUR CAR
13.2: NATURAL LAWS AND STEERING AND BRAKING
13.3: USING NATURAL LAWS TO MANAGE SKIDS
13.4: NATURAL LAWS, RISK MANAGEMENT, AND COLLISIONS
CHAPTER 13 QUIZ
Chapter 14: RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY
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14.1: BRAKE, ENGINE, AND STEERING FAILURES
14.2: TIRE FAILURE AND OTHER SERIOUS PROBLEMS
14.3: WAITING FOR HELP AND PROTECTING THE SCENE
14.4: FIRST AID GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 14 QUIZ
CUMULATIVE REVIEW - UNIT 3
Chapter 15: BUYING A CAR
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15.1: DETERMINING PERSONAL NEED WHEN CONSIDERING BUYING A CAR
15.2: FACTORS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN SELECTING A CAR
15.3: HOW TO OBTAIN FINANCING FOR A NEW OR USED CAR
15.4: CHOOSING AND PURCHASING AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE
CHAPTER 15 QUIZ
Chapter 16: INSPECTING AND CARING FOR YOUR CAR
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16.1: CHECKING YOUR CAR BEFORE AND AFTER YOU START THE ENGINE
16.2: BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH THE ENGINE AND POWERTRAIN
16.3: UNDERSTANDING AND MAINTAINING CAR SYSTEMS
16.4: SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES, AND TIRES
CHAPTER 16 QUIZ
Chapter 17: PLANNING A TRIP
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17.1: PREPARING YOURSELF AND YOUR CAR FOR A SHORT TRIP
17.2: GETTING READY FOR A LONG TRIP
17.3: LOADING AND DRIVING WITH A TRAILER
17.4: DRIVING SAFELY IN A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
CHAPTER 17 QUIZ
Chapter 18: THE KNOWLEDGE TEST
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18.1: GETTING READY FOR THE KNOWLEDGE TEST
18.2: GETTING READY FOR THE IN VEHICLE TEST
18.3: GETTING THE VEHICLE READY FOR THE TEST
18.4: TAKING THE FINAL TEST: THE IN VEHICLE TEST
CHAPTER 18 QUIZ
CUMULATIVE REVIEW - UNIT 4
FINAL EXAM INSTRUCTIONS: IN-PERSON PROCTORED REQUIREMENT
Utah Online Driver Education Course

6.4: CHECKS AND PROCEDURES TO USE BEFORE DRIVING

Safety and equipment checks are equally important when you’re about to drive a car. The best time to find out about a problem is before your car is moving. 

What Should You Check Before Entering Your Car?

You should inspect the car and the area around it before you enter your car.

  • Surrounding Area

Look for children playing nearby, for animals that may be hiding under, walking, or sleeping near the car. 

Look for objects in the area of the car and on the roadway that may interfere with safe movement or damage the tires. 

  • Wheels

Check for tire pressure and even tire wear or damage. Note which way your front wheels are turned. This is the direction in which your car will go as soon as it begins moving. 

  • Car Body

Check for damaged or missing parts and that all lights and windows are clean and undamaged. 

  • Under the hood 

At least once a week when you stop for gas check the fluid levels of the engine oil, radiator coolant, and battery, brake, transmission, and windshield washer fluids. Check the battery connection is it tight and free from corrosion?

  • Getting Into the Car

Load packages and passengers from the curb side.

Look carefully for approaching traffic before stepping into the roadway. Have your keys in hand.

Walk around the front of the car, facing oncoming traffic.

Wait for a break in traffic before opening the door, and open it only far enough and long enough to allow you to get in the car.

What Should You Check After Entering the Car?

Get into the habit of making safety checks and adjustments as soon as you get into the car.

Inside the Car Checks and Procedures

  1. Close and lock all doors.
  2. Place the key in the ignition.
  3. Adjust the seat comfortably reaching the floor pedals.
  4. Adjust the head restraint.
  5. Adjust rearview and left and right mirrors. 
  6. Check the inside of the windows for fog, clean as necessary.
  7. Make sure there are no objects inside the car that will block your view.
  8. Familiarize yourself with the controls and adjust accordingly.
  9. Fasten your safety belt.
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