WA Driving Instructor flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Basic speed rule

Washington's rule that a driver may never exceed a speed that is reasonable and prudent for current conditions, even when driving below the posted limit.

School zone limit

The speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph when children are present or a beacon is flashing, during the posted hours of the zone.

Uncontrolled intersection yield

At an intersection with no signs or signals, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right; a left-turning driver yields to oncoming traffic.

Three-second rule

A following-distance method: pick a fixed object, and if you reach it less than three seconds after the vehicle ahead, you are following too closely.

Move Over Law

On multi-lane roads, drivers must change lanes away from stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles with lights on, or slow to 10 mph below the limit.

Implied consent law

A person arrested for DUI who has a Washington license is deemed to have consented to a breath or blood test; refusal brings license revocation.

Intermediate license curfew

Drivers under 18 with an intermediate license may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver aged 25 or older.

Pedestrian in crosswalk

Drivers must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, including one on the driver's half of the road or approaching from the opposite half.

Washington teen training hours

Approved teen driver training in Washington requires at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a certified instructor.

Tell-show-do-review

A four-step instructional cycle: explain the maneuver, demonstrate it, have the student perform it, then give structured feedback on the attempt.

Skills ladder sequence

A curriculum order moving from vehicle familiarization and basic control to low-speed maneuvers, traffic integration, hazard perception, and advanced driving.

Observable lesson objective

A lesson goal written as a measurable student behavior, such as completing a lane change with signal and mirror checks on three of four attempts.

Formative assessment

Ongoing observation and feedback during instruction, used to correct errors before the final summative evaluation of the student's driving.

Guided discovery

An instructional method where the instructor asks questions that lead students to identify hazards and solutions themselves rather than stating answers.

Gagné's nine events

A lesson-design framework: gain attention, state objectives, recall prior learning, present content, guide practice, elicit performance, give feedback, assess, and enhance retention.

Required curriculum topics

Washington-approved courses must cover alcohol and drug awareness, distracted and fatigued driving, and sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

Dual-control vehicle

A training car fitted with an instructor-side brake pedal, and often an auxiliary mirror, so the instructor can intervene to prevent a collision.

Commentary drive

A technique where the student verbally narrates hazards, decisions, and planned actions, making their scanning and judgment observable to the instructor.

First-lesson risk peak

Collision risk is highest in the earliest behind-the-wheel hours, so initial routes should stay on low-speed, low-traffic roads until control is demonstrated.

Intervention hierarchy

The escalation order for instructor action: a verbal cue, then a direct verbal command, then physical or dual-control intervention to prevent a collision.

Instructor scan priority

The instructor monitors the forward path first, then mirrors, then the student's hands and feet, verifying inputs before deciding to intervene.

Pre-drive safety check

Before starting the engine, the instructor confirms both occupants are belted and mirrors are set, the first action of every behind-the-wheel lesson.

Intersection hazard scan

A required scanning pattern at each intersection approach: look left, right, left again, and ahead before entering the intersection.

Behavioral debrief

An end-of-lesson review stating specific things done well, one priority improvement, and the plan for the next session.

Fitness-to-drive check

An instructor cancels or diverts a lesson when a student is impaired by fatigue, illness, medication, or emotional state, and documents the reason.

Licensed school requirement

Washington instructors must teach through a licensed driving school and cannot independently certify course completion outside an approved program.

Instructor license standing

An instructor must hold a valid Washington driver license and an acceptable driving record; suspension or a DUI disqualifies them from instructing.

Student training record

A required record of each lesson's date, classroom and behind-the-wheel hours, instructor signature, and the vehicle used for training.

Falsification prohibition

Instructors may not record training hours not delivered or sign off on skills a student has not demonstrated; doing so violates licensing rules.

Student record confidentiality

Student performance and personal information may be disclosed only as authorized by the student or as required by law.

Conflict of interest

An instructor must not accept private payment from a student for instruction that should be delivered and recorded through the licensed school.

Incident reporting duty

A collision, injury, or serious violation during instruction must be reported to the school and the Department of Licensing and documented immediately.