NC Driving Instructor flashcards
NC Driving Instructor · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- NC Level 1 permit
- North Carolina learners may obtain a Level 1 permit at age 15 after driver education and testing; it requires supervised driving and a six-month holding period.
- NC school bus stop law
- On an undivided road, traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights; on a divided highway with a median, only same-side traffic stops.
- NC right turn on red
- After a complete stop, a driver may turn right on red unless a sign prohibits it; a left on red is allowed only from one one-way street to another.
- NC DWI per se
- North Carolina makes driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher unlawful for adults 21 and older; commercial drivers are at 0.04.
- Three-second following rule
- Choose a fixed object ahead; when the vehicle ahead passes it, count three seconds. Add one second for rain, darkness, or heavy loads.
- IPDE driving process
- IPDE means Identify, Predict, Decide, and Execute; drivers scan 12 to 15 seconds ahead and check mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds.
- Hydroplaning recovery
- If tires lose contact with water, ease off the accelerator, keep the steering straight, and avoid hard braking or sudden turns until traction returns.
- ABS braking rule
- With anti-lock brakes, press the brake firmly and hold it; do not pump. Maintain steering control and steer around the hazard if space permits.
- Pre-drive safety check
- Before moving, check seat position, head restraint height, mirrors, tire condition, lights, and dual brake; fasten seat belts for instructor and student.
- Right turn setup
- Signal at least 100 feet before a right turn, approach in the right lane or turn lane, slow before the corner, and finish in the right lane.
- Push-pull steering
- Push the wheel up with one hand and pull down with the other, alternating hands; use this method for normal turns and keep both hands on the wheel.
- Roundabout entry rule
- Yield to traffic already in the circle, enter to the right without stopping unless yielding, and do not stop inside the circulating lane.
- Tell-show-do-review
- An instructional sequence: explain the skill, demonstrate it, let the learner practice, then review performance with specific feedback before the next attempt.
- Gradual release model
- Instructor models the task, then guides practice, then fades prompts so the learner performs independently; each phase requires a clear success criterion.
- Task analysis
- Breaking a complex driving maneuver into ordered, observable subskills; each subskill is taught and assessed before the whole maneuver is practiced.
- Spaced practice
- Distributing driving practice across several short sessions instead of one long session; spacing improves retention and reduces fatigue during early skill learning.
- Formative assessment
- Assessment during instruction that identifies current performance and needed corrections; it is not used as the final grade or license decision.
- Prompt hierarchy
- A least-to-most support sequence: visual or gestural cue, verbal cue, modeled demonstration, then physical assistance; documentation records the least prompt needed.
- SMART driving goal
- A goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, such as three smooth right turns with one verbal cue by Friday.
- Objective progress note
- A dated record stating the route, weather, maneuver, prompt level, errors, and instructor initials; it avoids subjective labels such as good or bad driver.
- NC driver education hours
- North Carolina's driver education course requires 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training, and 6 hours of observation.
- Driving Eligibility Certificate
- A school-issued certificate required for North Carolina applicants under 18; it can be revoked for dropping out or failing to meet attendance or academic standards.
- Dual-control training vehicle
- A driver training car with a passenger-side brake, extra mirror, current safety inspection, and liability insurance; the instructor must be able to stop the car.
- Training record audit
- Driving schools keep attendance, classroom and in-car hours, evaluations, and vehicle maintenance records; NCDMV may inspect them during a licensing audit.
- I have control
- A clear verbal command used before the instructor takes the wheel or brake; it prevents conflicting inputs and signals that the student must stop steering.
- Brake failure response
- Pump the brake pedal, downshift, apply the parking brake gradually, and steer toward a safe escape; use horn and lights to warn others.
- Tire blowout control
- Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, keep the car straight, and brake gently after slowing; hard braking can cause a spin.
- Flooded road rule
- Six inches of moving water can destabilize a car and twelve inches can float many vehicles; do not enter, and turn around when water covers the road.
- Informed consent
- Before training, explain lesson goals, risks, dual-control use, record sharing, and the learner's right to stop; obtain consent from the student or guardian.
- Mandated reporting
- North Carolina law requires any person who suspects child abuse or neglect to report it; instructors follow school and agency reporting procedures.
- Professional boundaries
- Maintain a teaching-only relationship: no romantic involvement, no private social media contact, and no gifts or favors that create obligation or favoritism.
- Accommodation request
- Ask the learner what supports are needed, adjust seat or mirrors, use an interpreter, or allow extra time without requiring disclosure of a diagnosis.