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NH Driving Instructor study materials
NH Driving Instructor study resources

NH Driving Instructor: Instructor Responsibilities, Behind-the-Wheel Teaching, and Student Supervision

NH Driving Instructor · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

All guide sections

Instructor Responsibilities, Behind-the-Wheel Teaching, and Student Supervision

What this domain tests

The exam tests what a NH-certified behind-the-wheel instructor must do before, during, and after a lesson, and how to supervise a novice without creating dependence or risk.

Core rules

  • Verify eligibility: valid learner’s permit or YOL, approved program enrollment, required documents, and lesson authorization.
  • Inspect the vehicle and controls: brakes, tires, lights, dual brake and steering if equipped, seat belts, and mirrors. Adjust seating and mirrors before moving.
  • Use a lesson cycle: pre-drive briefing with objective, route, and risk; demonstration; guided practice; independent practice; post-drive debrief. Have the student use commentary driving-naming hazards, signals, and planned actions.
  • Teach defensive driving with IPDE (Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute), a 12-second visual lead, and at least a 3-second following distance in good conditions, more in rain or darkness.
  • Supervise actively: no phone, no distracting conversation, hands near the wheel or brake, intervene early and calmly. Log BTW and observation hours accurately and communicate specific progress to parents or guardians.
  • Keep professional boundaries; only authorized occupants; follow DMV program rules.

Worked example

A student preparing to change lanes checks the mirror but not the blind spot. The instructor says, “Talk me through your checks.” The student verbalizes mirror, signal, and shoulder check; the instructor guides a re-check and, if a vehicle is present, uses the dual brake. After the drive, the instructor gives a specific debrief: “You signaled, but you did not shoulder-check; next lesson we will practice three lane changes with a verbal blind-spot check.” This is corrective, specific, and re-practiced.

Traps that cost marks

Teaching only by lecture; grabbing the wheel unnecessarily; allowing unsupervised practice; failing to document hours; confusing observation with BTW; and using the dual control as a substitute for teaching scanning.