The driver

Home › Lessons

The driver: alertness, distracted and drowsy driving, alcohol, drugs and medications.

This driver's ed course, "The driver", is part of the free DMVPermitUSA program to prepare for the DMV written knowledge test (learner's permit test). It is organized into 2 modules and 5 lessons, for an estimated duration of about 38 minutes (beginner level). Each lesson explains a rule of the road with concrete examples of situations you meet on U.S. roads, then a quiz lets you check what you have learned. You can follow the lessons in the suggested order or go straight to a specific topic. The content covers what state driver handbooks and DMV written tests ask about — road signs, right-of-way, speed, sharing the road, alcohol and drugs — and is complemented by the practice tests and mock exams available on the site.

What you will learn

• Stay alert and scan the road ahead
• Keep a safe following distance (3-second rule)
• Know how alcohol, drugs and fatigue impair driving

Course contents

Awareness and perception

Scanning, anticipating hazards and safe following distances.

• Scanning and hazard awareness
• Following distance and stopping distance

Driver impairment

Factors that reduce your ability to drive safely.

• Drowsy and distracted driving
• Alcohol, drugs and medications
• Vision, health and emotions