OR Driving Instructor cheat sheet

Basic speed rule (ORS 811.100): drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for existing conditions, and never faster than is safe given traffic, surface, visibility, and weather - posted limits are maximums, not targets.

Oregon statutory speed limits absent posted signs: 15 mph in alleys, 20 mph in school zones, 25 mph in business districts and residential districts, 55 mph on open rural highways, and 65 mph on specified freeways unless posted otherwise.

Oregon safety belt law: occupants in all seating positions must be restrained; children under age 8 (and under 4'9") must use an appropriate child safety seat or booster unless the child is 4'9" or taller.

Right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it; left turn on red is permitted only from a one-way street onto another one-way street after stopping.

Following distance: Oregon driver manual advises a minimum 2-second gap in ideal conditions, increased to 3 or more seconds at night, in rain, or when following large vehicles or motorcycles.

Move Over law (ORS 811.147): when approaching a stopped emergency or roadside assistance vehicle with lights flashing, move out of the adjacent lane if safe, or slow to at least 5 mph below the posted limit.

Implied consent (ORS 813.100): a person who operates a motor vehicle is deemed to consent to a breath, blood, or urine test if arrested for DUII; refusal triggers license suspension under implied consent procedures.

Oregon's Basic Rule and open-container law: drivers and passengers may not consume alcohol in a vehicle on a highway; possession of an open container by a driver is prohibited.

Railroad crossings: stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail when a signal, gate, or approaching train requires it; do not shift gears manually while crossing.

Space cushion rule: maintain at least a 2-second following gap, plus a 1-second buffer for each adverse factor (rain, darkness, heavy load, or following a large vehicle that blocks forward view).

Visual lead time: scan 12-15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20-30 seconds on highways; check mirrors every 5-8 seconds to maintain 360-degree awareness.

Hazard recognition hierarchy: identify the highest-risk object first (pedestrian entering roadway, oncoming left-turner, merging vehicle), then secondary hazards, then escape routes.

Lane-position strategy: avoid riding in blind spots; when passing a large truck, pass quickly and do not linger alongside the trailer - trucks have large no-zones on both sides and directly behind.

Hydroplaning threshold: risk rises above 35 mph on wet pavement with standing water; reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering inputs to prevent loss of traction.

Fatigue rule: after 2 hours of continuous driving or at the first sign of drowsiness (yawning, lane drift, heavy eyelids), stop for a break - micro-sleep episodes are a leading cause of single-vehicle run-off-road crashes.

Night driving risk: reduced depth perception and glare recovery slow reaction time; use low beams when following within 200 feet or meeting oncoming traffic within 500 feet.

Intersection scanning sequence: look left, then right, then left again before entering; verify cross-traffic has stopped before proceeding on a green light.

Steering method: use push-pull (hand-over-hand is acceptable for large turns); keep both hands on the wheel except when shifting or signaling; do not palm the wheel.

Braking progression: teach threshold braking on a closed course, then progressive braking in traffic; ABS requires firm continuous pedal pressure - do not pump.

Mirror setup: adjust side mirrors so the vehicle's rear quarter panel is barely visible; this reduces blind spots and supports shoulder checks before lane changes.

Backing procedure: before reversing, walk around the vehicle, then use mirrors and a shoulder check; back slowly and stop if visibility is lost - rear-view cameras are aids, not substitutes.

Hill parking: facing downhill turn wheels toward the curb; facing uphill with a curb turn wheels away from the curb; facing uphill without a curb turn wheels toward the right edge.

Skid recovery: steer in the direction of the skid, ease off the accelerator, and avoid hard braking; on ice or snow, use gentle steering and braking inputs to maintain traction.

Parallel parking sequence: signal, position 2-3 feet from the vehicle ahead, back at a 45-degree angle until the rear bumper clears, then counter-steer and straighten.

Following-distance coaching: use a fixed roadside object as a reference; count seconds from when the lead vehicle passes it to when the student's vehicle passes the same point.

Oregon DMV requires behind-the-wheel instructors to be at least 21 years old, hold a valid Oregon driver license, and have a clean driving record for the preceding 3 years (no DUII, no license suspension).

Instructor certification requires completion of a DMV-approved instructor training course and a criminal background check; certification must be renewed and instructors must maintain current first-aid/CPR training where required.

Instructional hours: Oregon requires 50 hours of supervised driving (including 10 at night) for applicants under 18; instructors must document hours accurately and never falsify logs.

Dual-control vehicles are required for behind-the-wheel instruction; the instructor must maintain an operable brake pedal on the passenger side and verify it before each lesson.

Ethical duty: instructors may not use the student's vehicle for personal errands, may not accept gifts that could influence pass/fail decisions, and must report unsafe driving to the parent or guardian.

Confidentiality: student records, driving performance data, and personal information are protected; instructors may not disclose them without written consent except as required by law.

Lesson termination rule: if a student poses an imminent safety risk (repeated dangerous errors, impairment, or emotional distress), the instructor must take control and end the lesson.

Recordkeeping: maintain lesson plans, progress notes, and vehicle inspection records for the period required by DMV; make them available on request during audits.

Reporting obligations: instructors must report suspected child abuse or neglect under mandatory reporting laws and must not coach students to conceal traffic violations.

Oregon DMV requires behind-the-wheel instructors to be at least 21 years old, hold a valid Oregon driver license, and have a clean driving record for the preceding 3 years (no DUII, no license suspension).

Instructor certification requires completion of a DMV-approved instructor training course and a criminal background check; certification must be renewed and instructors must maintain current first-aid/CPR training where required.

Instructional hours: Oregon requires 50 hours of supervised driving (including 10 at night) for applicants under 18; instructors must document hours accurately and never falsify logs.

Dual-control vehicles are required for behind-the-wheel instruction; the instructor must maintain an operable brake pedal on the passenger side and verify it before each lesson.

Ethical duty: instructors may not use the student's vehicle for personal errands, may not accept gifts that could influence pass/fail decisions, and must report unsafe driving to the parent or guardian.

Confidentiality: student records, driving performance data, and personal information are protected; instructors may not disclose them without written consent except as required by law.

Lesson termination rule: if a student poses an imminent safety risk (repeated dangerous errors, impairment, or emotional distress), the instructor must take control and end the lesson.

Recordkeeping: maintain lesson plans, progress notes, and vehicle inspection records for the period required by DMV; make them available on request during audits.

Reporting obligations: instructors must report suspected child abuse or neglect under mandatory reporting laws and must not coach students to conceal traffic violations.

Oregon DMV requires behind-the-wheel instructors to be at least 21 years old, hold a valid Oregon driver license, and have a clean driving record for the preceding 3 years (no DUII, no license suspension).

Instructor certification requires completion of a DMV-approved instructor training course and a criminal background check; certification must be renewed and instructors must maintain current first-aid/CPR training where required.

Instructional hours: Oregon requires 50 hours of supervised driving (including 10 at night) for applicants under 18; instructors must document hours accurately and never falsify logs.

Dual-control vehicles are required for behind-the-wheel instruction; the instructor must maintain an operable brake pedal on the passenger side and verify it before each lesson.

Ethical duty: instructors may not use the student's vehicle for personal errands, may not accept gifts that could influence pass/fail decisions, and must report unsafe driving to the parent or guardian.

Confidentiality: student records, driving performance data, and personal information are protected; instructors may not disclose them without written consent except as required by law.

Lesson termination rule: if a student poses an imminent safety risk (repeated dangerous errors, impairment, or emotional distress), the instructor must take control and end the lesson.

Recordkeeping: maintain lesson plans, progress notes, and vehicle inspection records for the period required by DMV; make them available on request during audits.

Reporting obligations: instructors must report suspected child abuse or neglect under mandatory reporting laws and must not coach students to conceal traffic violations.

Basic speed rule (ORS 811.100): drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for existing conditions, and never faster than is safe given traffic, surface, visibility, and weather - posted limits are maximums, not targets.

Oregon statutory speed limits absent posted signs: 15 mph in alleys, 20 mph in school zones, 25 mph in business districts and residential districts, 55 mph on open rural highways, and 65 mph on specified freeways unless posted otherwise.

Oregon safety belt law: occupants in all seating positions must be restrained; children under age 8 (and under 4'9") must use an appropriate child safety seat or booster unless the child is 4'9" or taller.

Right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it; left turn on red is permitted only from a one-way street onto another one-way street after stopping.

Following distance: Oregon driver manual advises a minimum 2-second gap in ideal conditions, increased to 3 or more seconds at night, in rain, or when following large vehicles or motorcycles.

Move Over law (ORS 811.147): when approaching a stopped emergency or roadside assistance vehicle with lights flashing, move out of the adjacent lane if safe, or slow to at least 5 mph below the posted limit.

Implied consent (ORS 813.100): a person who operates a motor vehicle is deemed to consent to a breath, blood, or urine test if arrested for DUII; refusal triggers license suspension under implied consent procedures.

Oregon's Basic Rule and open-container law: drivers and passengers may not consume alcohol in a vehicle on a highway; possession of an open container by a driver is prohibited.

Railroad crossings: stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail when a signal, gate, or approaching train requires it; do not shift gears manually while crossing.

Space cushion rule: maintain at least a 2-second following gap, plus a 1-second buffer for each adverse factor (rain, darkness, heavy load, or following a large vehicle that blocks forward view).

Visual lead time: scan 12-15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20-30 seconds on highways; check mirrors every 5-8 seconds to maintain 360-degree awareness.

Hazard recognition hierarchy: identify the highest-risk object first (pedestrian entering roadway, oncoming left-turner, merging vehicle), then secondary hazards, then escape routes.

Lane-position strategy: avoid riding in blind spots; when passing a large truck, pass quickly and do not linger alongside the trailer - trucks have large no-zones on both sides and directly behind.

Hydroplaning threshold: risk rises above 35 mph on wet pavement with standing water; reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering inputs to prevent loss of traction.

Fatigue rule: after 2 hours of continuous driving or at the first sign of drowsiness (yawning, lane drift, heavy eyelids), stop for a break - micro-sleep episodes are a leading cause of single-vehicle run-off-road crashes.

Night driving risk: reduced depth perception and glare recovery slow reaction time; use low beams when following within 200 feet or meeting oncoming traffic within 500 feet.

Intersection scanning sequence: look left, then right, then left again before entering; verify cross-traffic has stopped before proceeding on a green light.

Steering method: use push-pull (hand-over-hand is acceptable for large turns); keep both hands on the wheel except when shifting or signaling; do not palm the wheel.

Braking progression: teach threshold braking on a closed course, then progressive braking in traffic; ABS requires firm continuous pedal pressure - do not pump.

Mirror setup: adjust side mirrors so the vehicle's rear quarter panel is barely visible; this reduces blind spots and supports shoulder checks before lane changes.

Backing procedure: before reversing, walk around the vehicle, then use mirrors and a shoulder check; back slowly and stop if visibility is lost - rear-view cameras are aids, not substitutes.

Hill parking: facing downhill turn wheels toward the curb; facing uphill with a curb turn wheels away from the curb; facing uphill without a curb turn wheels toward the right edge.

Skid recovery: steer in the direction of the skid, ease off the accelerator, and avoid hard braking; on ice or snow, use gentle steering and braking inputs to maintain traction.

Parallel parking sequence: signal, position 2-3 feet from the vehicle ahead, back at a 45-degree angle until the rear bumper clears, then counter-steer and straighten.

Following-distance coaching: use a fixed roadside object as a reference; count seconds from when the lead vehicle passes it to when the student's vehicle passes the same point.