Lesson 1.1
The Walk-Around Checklist
Students learn to walk around the car before every drive and check the tires, lights, windows and the space around it, so problems are found before the car moves.
What we teach
Driver Education Course Curriculum
This page lists every lesson in the ProDrive Academy driver education course. There are 26 lessons in five units, and each one is explained below in plain words.
Teaching method
How the Course Is Taught
The course has two parts. Students learn the lessons in the classroom, then drive with an instructor beside them.
- Classroom. Every package includes unlimited classroom hours, with a 10-hour minimum.
- Behind the wheel. Every package includes one-on-one driving time with a state-certified instructor. The number of hours depends on the package.
- PDA 27. This is the name of our teaching method. It is a 17-point instructional system plus 10 core driving techniques.
- Two languages. Classroom teaching is available in English and in Spanish.
- Road test. ProDrive Academy is approved by the State of Oklahoma to give the official road test.
Unit 1
Vehicle Basics
The course starts with the car itself. Students learn what to check, what each control does and how to set the car up before it moves.
Lesson 1.2
Vehicle Dynamics
This lesson explains how a car responds when the driver steers, speeds up or brakes, so the way it moves is never a surprise.
Lesson 1.3
Vehicle Equipment
Students learn what the main controls, gauges and warning lights do and where to find them without looking away from the road for long.
Lesson 1.4
Car Feel
Students learn to notice what the car is doing through the steering wheel, the pedals and the seat, which is the base of smooth, steady control.
Lesson 1.5
Your Vision and Sense of Space
This lesson teaches where to look while driving and how to judge distance and the room around the car.
Lesson 1.6
Windshield and Mirrors
Students learn to keep the glass clear, set each mirror correctly and check the blind spots that mirrors do not show.
Lesson 1.7
Starting the Engine
Students learn the start-up routine in the right order, from adjusting the seat and fastening the seat belt to starting the car safely.
Unit 2
Controlling the Car
This unit covers moving, turning, stopping and passing, and explains what the tires are doing while the driver does each one.
Lesson 2.1
Taking to the Road
Students learn the first steps of driving: pulling away smoothly, steering, holding a lane and keeping a steady speed.
Lesson 2.2
Turning Around
This lesson covers U-turns and three-point turns, including how to choose a safe place to make one.
Lesson 2.3
Stopping the Car
Students practice smooth stops and firm stops, and learn why a car needs more room to stop at higher speeds and on wet roads.
Lesson 2.4
Passing Another Vehicle
Students learn how to judge whether a pass is safe, how to signal, check and return to the lane, and when not to pass at all.
Lesson 2.5
Understeer and Oversteer
This lesson explains what happens when the front or rear tires lose grip in a turn and how a driver stays calm and corrects it.
Lesson 2.6
Traction and Weight Transfer
Students learn that braking, speeding up and turning shift the weight of the car, which changes how much grip each tire has.
Lesson 2.7
Reaction Time and Sense of Timing
This lesson shows that it takes time to see a hazard and act on it, which is why drivers look far ahead and leave space.
Unit 3
Driving Conditions
Roads are not always dry and bright. This unit prepares students for cold weather, slick roads and driving after dark.
Lesson 3.1
Tires
Students learn how to check tire pressure and tread, because the tires are the only part of the car that touches the road.
Lesson 3.2
Winter Driving
This lesson teaches slower speeds, gentle steering and braking, and longer following distances on snow and ice.
Lesson 3.3
Getting Unstuck from Snow and Ice
Students learn calm, simple steps to free a car that is stuck, without spinning the wheels and making it worse.
Lesson 3.4
Night Driving Tips
This lesson covers using headlights correctly, slowing down and dealing with the glare of oncoming lights when it is harder to see.
Unit 4
Safety and Defensive Driving
Many risks on the road come from people, not from the car. This unit teaches students to manage their attention, their temper and their surroundings.
Lesson 4.1
Distracted Driving
Students learn why phones, food and anything else that takes their eyes, hands or mind off driving must wait until the car is parked.
Lesson 4.2
Road Rage
This lesson teaches students to keep their own temper in check and to stay away from an angry driver instead of reacting.
Lesson 4.3
Personal Safety
Students learn everyday habits that keep them safe in and around the car, such as locking doors and staying aware of where they park.
Unit 5
Crashes and Crash Safety
The last unit explains why crashes happen, what to do if one happens and how the car protects the people inside it.
Lesson 5.1
Accident Causes
Students learn the common reasons crashes happen, such as speed, distraction and following too closely, and how to avoid each one.
Lesson 5.2
Typical Accident Scenarios
This lesson walks through the situations where crashes often happen, such as intersections and lane changes, so students can spot them early.
Lesson 5.3
Crash Course
Students learn how to respond safely if they are in a crash, starting with staying calm and checking whether anyone is hurt.
Lesson 5.4
Safety Features
This lesson explains the safety technology in modern cars, so students know what it does and do not rely on it to do the driving.
Lesson 5.5
Air Bags
Students learn how air bags protect people in a crash and why they work best when everyone is seated properly and wearing a seat belt.
Prices
Driver's Ed Packages
Every package includes unlimited classroom hours (10 minimum) and one-on-one time behind the wheel with a certified instructor.
Basic Driver's Education
$399.99
10 hours classroom and 6 hours behind-the-wheel. Road test not included.
Enroll See what is includedBasic Driver's Education + State Road Test
$499.99
10 hours classroom, 6 hours behind-the-wheel, and the official state road test included.
Enroll See what is includedDriver's Education + Road Test + Test-Day Prep Hour
$599.99
Everything in the road test package, plus a dedicated practice hour immediately before the examination.
Enroll See what is includedQuestions
Curriculum FAQ
How many classroom hours are included?
Every ProDrive Academy package includes unlimited classroom hours, with a 10-hour minimum. A student who wants to go over a topic again can come back to class.
Is the course only taught in a classroom?
No. Every package also includes one-on-one time behind the wheel with a state-certified instructor. The number of hours behind the wheel depends on the package you choose.
Is the course taught in Spanish?
Yes. Classroom teaching is available in English and in Spanish.
Can my teen take the road test at ProDrive Academy?
Yes. ProDrive Academy is approved by the State of Oklahoma to give the official road test, so students can test at the same school where they learned.
Guides
Helpful Guides
Plain answers to the questions that come up before, during and after driver's ed.
PackagesHow to Choose a Driver's Ed PackageWhat each package includes, how many hours you drive, and which one fits a first-time driver.Read the guide Road testWhat to Bring to Your Oklahoma Road TestThe documents to bring on test day, when to arrive and which car you can use.Read the guide SchedulingRescheduling and Late Arrival RulesHow much notice a lesson or a road test needs, and what happens if you are late.Read the guide Start today
Enroll in Driver's Ed
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- Road tests 7 days a week
- State-certified instructors
- English y español