NC Driving Instructor study materials
NC Driving Instructor study resources

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.