AK Driving Instructor cheat sheet

Alaska's basic speed rule (13 AAC 02.275) requires a speed reasonable and prudent for conditions; posted limits are maximums, not safe-speed guarantees.

Statutory maximums on Alaska highways: 65 mph on most rural interstate/limited-access routes, 55 mph on other roads unless posted otherwise, and 25 mph in residential/business districts unless posted.

Alaska's implied consent law (AS 28.15.081) treats a chemical test refusal as a civil violation with license revocation; refusal is admissible in court.

Alaska DUI thresholds: 0.08 percent BAC for drivers 21 and older; 0.00 percent for drivers under 21 (zero tolerance); 0.04 percent for commercial vehicle operators.

Alaska requires seat belts for all front-seat occupants and all passengers under 16 in any seat; children under 16 must be in an approved child restraint or booster.

Alaska's 'move over' law requires drivers to slow and, where safe, change lanes for stopped emergency, tow, and maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights.

Right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection: the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right; a vehicle turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight or right.

Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, or bridge, and on curves or hills where the view is obstructed.

Alaska permits right turns on red after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it; left turns on red are permitted only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

The three-second following rule: at speeds under 40 mph, maintain at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead; add one second for each additional 10 mph.

Total stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance grows linearly with speed, braking distance grows with the square of speed.

The Smith System's five keys: aim high in steering, get the big picture, keep your eyes moving, leave yourself an out, and make sure others see you.

Space cushion rule: maintain at least one car length of following distance per 10 mph in ideal conditions, and expand to four or more seconds in rain, ice, or darkness.

Hydroplaning begins at roughly 35 mph on wet pavement with worn tires; reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering inputs.

Alaska winter driving: stopping distances on ice can be 10 times longer than on dry pavement; use gentle braking, low gear on descents, and studded tires where permitted.

Moose and other wildlife hazards peak at dawn and dusk; scan shoulders, brake in a straight line when an animal is on the road, and never swerve into oncoming traffic.

The four-second rule for following distance applies to large trucks and motorcycles because of their longer stopping distances and limited visibility.

The four-step demonstration method: explain, demonstrate, practice, and evaluate; each new maneuver follows this sequence in behind-the-wheel instruction.

The Gagné nine events of instruction sequence: gain attention, state objectives, recall prior knowledge, present content, guide practice, elicit performance, give feedback, assess, and enhance retention.

Bloom's taxonomy levels, in order: remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, create; behind-the-wheel tasks typically target the apply and analyze levels.

Guided discovery is preferred over lecture for hazard perception: ask students to identify hazards before revealing the correct answer.

Feedback should be specific, immediate, and behavioral (e.g., 'you checked the mirror after braking' rather than 'good job').

The 'tell-show-do-review' cycle for each new skill averages 3-5 minutes of demonstration before student practice begins.

Questioning technique: use wait time of 3-5 seconds after asking a question to allow processing; use open-ended questions for analysis-level objectives.

Formative assessment occurs during instruction (observation, quizzes); summative assessment occurs at the end of a unit or course to measure mastery.

Alaska's graduated driver licensing framework requires a minimum 40 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) before the provisional license, per AS 28.15.057.

A complete lesson plan includes: objective, materials, anticipatory set, instructional sequence, guided practice, independent practice, assessment, and closure.

Objectives should be written in measurable terms using action verbs from Bloom's taxonomy (e.g., 'identify,' 'execute,' 'evaluate') rather than vague verbs like 'understand.'

Alaska requires 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and 6 hours of classroom instruction for a state-approved driver education course.

A unit plan typically sequences: rules and signs, vehicle control, basic maneuvers, hazard perception, complex environments, and licensing procedures.

Curriculum alignment should map each lesson objective to the state's driver education standards and the licensing test domains.

Lesson pacing: allocate roughly 60 percent of class time to active learning (simulation, discussion, practice) and 40 percent to direct instruction.

Include a pre-trip inspection lesson before any behind-the-wheel driving; students must demonstrate inspection competency before operating the vehicle.

Alaska's GDL stages: instruction permit (age 14+ with 40 hours supervised driving), provisional license (age 16+), and full license (age 18+ or after 12 months of provisional driving).

Instruction permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat at all times, per AS 28.15.057.

Provisional license restrictions: no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied, and no passengers under 21 who are not household members during the first six months.

The Alaska knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions and requires a passing score of 80 percent (20 correct).

The Alaska road test evaluates: pre-trip inspection, basic control, lane changes, intersections, parking, and hazard response; a score of 80 percent or better passes.

Applicants under 18 must present a certified birth certificate, proof of Alaska residency, and a completed driving log signed by a parent or guardian.

Vision requirement: at least 20/40 in one or both eyes with or without correction; a restriction is added if corrective lenses are required.

A driver with a provisional license who receives a traffic conviction may have the license suspended or the GDL period extended under AS 28.15.057.

Pre-trip inspection sequence: walk-around (tires, lights, fluid leaks), under-hood (fluids, belts, battery), interior (seat, mirrors, gauges, controls), and brake/steering check before moving.

Tire tread minimum: 2/32 inch for passenger vehicles; check with a tread-depth gauge at three points across each tire.

The pre-trip brake test: pump the brake pedal with the engine off to check for a firm pedal; start the engine and confirm the pedal does not sink.

Mirror adjustment: the inside mirror frames the rear window; side mirrors should show a sliver of the vehicle's side and the adjacent lane.

Steering technique: hand-over-hand for turns above 15 mph; push-pull for low-speed maneuvers; hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock.

The three-point turn sequence: signal, check mirrors and blind spot, turn the wheel fully in one direction, reverse with the wheel opposite, then complete the turn.

ABS braking technique: apply firm, continuous pressure and do not pump; the pedal may pulse and the system will maintain steering control.

Headlight use: low beams in fog, rain, or snow; high beams only when no oncoming traffic is within 500 feet and no vehicle is being followed within 200 feet.

Instructor legal duty: exercise the standard of care of a reasonably prudent driving instructor; negligence requires duty, breach, causation, and damages.

The instructor's dual-control brake must be functional before every lesson; a nonfunctional dual brake is a documented liability exposure.

Incident reporting: any collision, injury, or near-miss must be documented in writing within 24 hours and reported to the school's insurer.

Alaska's comparative negligence rule (AS 09.17.060) reduces a plaintiff's recovery by their percentage of fault; a plaintiff 50 percent or more at fault recovers nothing.

Student confidentiality: driving records and personal information are protected under state privacy law and must not be shared without written consent.

Emergency protocol: stop the vehicle, secure the scene, render aid within training, call 911, and notify the school's designated safety officer.

Route risk assessment: pre-drive the lesson route to identify construction, school zones, and high-crash intersections; document the assessment.

Supervision ratio: no more than one student in the driver's seat at a time; rear-seat observers must be belted and briefed on the observer role.

Instructor conduct standards: model all traffic laws, including seat belt use, speed limits, and cell phone restrictions, at all times in the vehicle.

Prohibited conduct: using a personal phone during instruction, smoking in the vehicle, and discussing a student's performance with third parties without consent.

The instructor-student relationship is fiduciary; romantic or financial relationships with students are prohibited regardless of the student's age.

Conflict of interest: an instructor may not administer a licensing test to a family member or to a student they have personally instructed.

Record-keeping ethics: driving logs and lesson evaluations must be accurate and contemporaneous; falsification is grounds for certification revocation.

Cultural competence: adapt language, examples, and pacing to the student's background; avoid slang and idioms that may not translate.

Mandatory reporting: suspected child abuse or neglect must be reported to the Alaska Office of Children's Services under AS 47.17.020.

Professional development: instructors must complete continuing education and maintain current first aid/CPR certification as required by the school.

ADHD: shorten instruction segments to 5-10 minutes, provide written checklists, and use immediate positive reinforcement for on-task behavior.

Autism spectrum: use literal, concrete language; avoid sarcasm and idioms; preview the route and changes in routine before the lesson.

Anxiety disorders: begin with low-traffic routes, use breathing techniques, and gradually increase exposure to complex environments.

Hearing impairment: use visual demonstrations, written instructions, and a mirror-based communication system; ensure the student can see the instructor's face.

Physical disabilities: adaptive equipment may include hand controls, spinner knobs, left-foot accelerators, and pedal extensions; instruction must include equipment-specific training.

English language learners: pair verbal instruction with visual diagrams and translated written materials; allow extra processing time for questions.

Traumatic brain injury: allow extra response time, reduce distractions, and use consistent, repeated routines across lessons.

Older adults: screen for vision, hearing, and reaction-time changes; recommend a medical review when observations suggest decline.