Northern NY Driving Academy
Due to an approaching retirement date the in-car driving lessons will be dis-continued until further notice. Another driving school is currently in the DMV application and training process and should be up and running by spring of 2024.
I will provide a link to their services after that happens. 5 Hour Pre-license classes on zoom have ended for 2023 and may be continued in the future.
CLICK HERE for your other options.
How to Apply for a NYS Driver’s License
DMV Manual
MV 262 – 50 Hour Form (needed at time of road test if under 18)
Graduated Licensing Law
3 Step Parallel Parking Instructions (PDF)
Parallel Parking Game
3 Point Turns (K Turn) Instruction (PDF)
Online sign-up for Road Test
Practice Permit Test
What you will need when you go to your road test.
Click here for DMV Video re: preparing for your road test.
TEACHING SOMEONE TO DRIVE
NEW / TEEN DRIVERS, WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW!
Before you or your teen get behind the wheel, it is your responsibility to
ensure that the vehicle you are driving is properly registered, insured and
in good working condition.
Tell your teen about these requirements as you check them so that he or she is aware of the responsibilities of vehicle ownership.
If the vehicle is registered in NY, plates must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle. The registration sticker must be placed in the designated areas on the
Windshield. You must have the vehicle registration card while operating the
vehicle; so, it is a good idea to keep the card in the glove compartment.
The vehicle must be insured by a company authorized to do business in
NY. It must have a valid safety inspection sticker and working brakes,
safety belts, lights, turn signals, mirrors, windshield wipers, horn, good
tires and a speedometer.
We recommend that initial lessons take place in a vehicle with an automatic transmission. Then the new driver can focus on controlling the
vehicle and mastering new driving skills.
Once the basic skills are accomplished, learning how to coordinate the clutch, gear shift, and accelerator of a manual transmission vehicle can be addressed.
PLANNING DRIVING LESSONS WITH YOUR TEEN
It is important to plan practice sessions. The more structured driving practice your teen experiences, the safer he or she will be after getting a license.
At the beginning of each driving session, make sure your student stands the lesson goals and reviews skills from previous lessons. It is helpful to remember the driving situations your teen has experienced and
gradually work in new ones. Make sure bad habits such as failing to signal,
sloppy turns, speeding, sudden changes in speed and lack of alertness are
not forming.
Your job is to provide a safe environment and encourage your teen to
practice safe driving procedures. The following are useful tips to help you
Teaching Your Teen to Drive 7
coach your teen.
Be patient. When you introduce a new skill, guide the new driver through
two or three practice trials. Then allow the driver to perform the task
without assistance. If the driver makes a mistake, repeat the lesson and
guide them again step by step. Remember that a simple right-turn
involves several steps--checking mirrors, signaling, checking blind areas,
braking, positioning, checking for traffic before the turn, steering and
recovery. To expect a beginner to follow all of these correctly during the
early sessions may be asking too much.
Speak clearly. Give directions well in advance and always use the same
terms. For instance, don't say “accelerator” and then “gas pedal.” Tell
where the action will take place and then describe the action. For example: "At the next stop sign, turn right." Use the word "right" to mean a
direction only. In confirming a question, say, "That is correct." This will
prevent confusion.
Be Alert. Some beginners may give the impression of being in control but
may, in reality, be unable to handle any sudden changes in conditions.
They rely on you for guidance and even assistance in control.
A large empty parking lot is ideal for the first sessions because it allows the beginner to concentrate fully on the feel of thecontrols and the response of the car. Random driving around
can be dangerous. It's all too easy for the new driver to get into
trouble, particularly in the early stages. (SUNY Plattsburgh Field House parking lot works great)
Take some care in selecting a suitable area. For the initial street sessions, find the
quietest streets possible. Choose appropriate routes for each lesson, and drive them yourself before attempting the lesson with
the student driver.
Teaching Your Teen to Drive
ACTIVE LEARNING
Research shows that two things influence effective learning: time-on-task
and involvement in the learning activity. This means that the amount of time
spent practicing and the method in which skills are practiced impact how well
your child learns to drive.
Talking is a key to active learning and understanding. As such, your use
of active learning behaviors throughout the lessons in this guide will greatly
benefit your new driver. Ask the new driver to tell you what he or she sees
and what actions should be taken. Encourage the driver to comment on driving situations before encountering them and to explain the proper procedure
for that situation. For example, when changing lanes, your child should state
aloud that he or she has checked the rear -view mirror, checked the side-view
mirror, checked the blind spot, signaled and has determined whether it is safe
to change lanes or not.
Other important things to ask the new driver to comment on are speed
limits, traffic signals, road signs and road conditions. Making a habit of noticing these things in time to adjust and react is the basis of good visual scanning habits. As the new driver shares observations, the coach will gain a better understanding of what the driver is seeing and how well he or she is evaluating driving conditions. The coach also has the opportunity to discuss the
Teaching Your Teen to Drive
always anticipate problems and be ready to react. Do not eat, read or listen to music while coaching a new driver. Sit in a position that allows you
to place your left hand on the steering wheel to guide the beginner, if
necessary. Monitor traffic ahead, to the sides and behind the vehicle
while observing your teen’s driving. Always check the mirrors before giving directions.
Don't overload. A big part of being a good coach is reminding the driver to
check traffic, to signal and to bring attention to potential hazards.
Remember that everything you say is a distraction for the driver. Be sparing in your comments, and avoid letting the beginner get into situations
he or she can't handle. Allow new drivers to learn from mistakes if the
mistake does not present any risks. Never allow your teen to get into a
dangerous situation. Maintain control or give specific directions.
Stop and discuss. When your teen makes a mistake, he or she may not
understand what went wrong. Explaining and discussing while on the
move is not very effective. The beginner is too busy driving. Stop as soon
as you can, while the mistake is still fresh in the memory, and sort out
the problem. Don't jump on every mistake and make a big thing of it.
This will affect the beginner's confidence and concentration. Try to stay
calm. If you get anxious, your teen probably will too, which can affect performance.
Don't contradict what the professional instructor teaches. If your teen is doing
something that you think is incorrect and says that the driving instructor
teaches this way, be sure to talk to the instructor. Your teen may not
understand the directions.
Be a good role model. Your biggest contribution to your teen's safety and
driving performance is your example. Insist on a ground rule of mutual
respect and understanding. Patience, courtesy and a willingness to
improve will be your best assets. Now review your driving habits and
explain the importance of consideration for others.
Teen / Student Resource Page
