Safeway's Teen Program - Behind-the-Wheel Lessons
Safeway provides three, two-hour behind-the-wheel lessons. Each lesson has its own goals and objectives. As soon as your student gets their hard-card permit in the mail, log on to Schedule2Drive and register for behind-the-wheel lessons. The first lesson should be 4-6 weeks after the student gets their permit. The second lesson should be 4-6 weeks after the first lesson. The third lesson should be scheduled about 3 weeks before the student plans to take their road test. We have found that this sequence and timing of lessons produces a confident and competent driver that is eager to drive. Sufficient practice is required between each lesson.
The first lesson is referred to as the "basic" lesson. Basic vehicle operation and control is emphasized including starting, stopping, lane control, following distance, along with good observation techniques. The student must demonstrate a knowledge of all vehicle controls and warning lights. Merge vs. yield, SMOG and Gap-Gauge-Go are put into practice.
The second lesson is our "downtown" lesson. This lesson is a milestone for most students. It allows them to find out how proficient a driver they really are. Most students do much better than they thought they would. Most are very proud of themselves after this lesson. The student will travel either into or back from downtown St. Paul on the freeway. Once downtown, the student will perform at least 5 left and 5 right turns onto one-way streets. They will perform at least 5 lane changes. Crosswalks and pedestrians are covered in detail.
The third lesson is our "parking" lesson. During this lesson, students will become proficient at parallel and 90-degree corner back parking. Students will also learn the proper procedures for hill parking and parking lot procedures.
At the final lesson, the students receive their white "course completion card" from their instructor. This card needs to be given to the driving examiner at the road test.
Many of our instructors do back-to-back lessons. The first student of the day is picked up from home or school. Toward the end of the lesson (last 10 minutes), the first student will drive to the second student's home. The second student will get into the back seat and the first student will finish their lesson time by driving themselves home. The second student will then begin their lesson time from the first student's home. Each student will get their full two hour lesson time.
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