DRIVER EDUCATION INFORMATION PACKET
LAKE ZURICH HIGH SCHOOL
Dear Parents:
As your son or daughter becomes involved in the Lake Zurich High School Driver Education program, we
would like to contact you to make this a successful endeavor for each student.
We feel that our program is very sound and provides each student with the knowledge, skills and confidence to
make him/her a safe and confident driver. We urge you to judge this program by the improvement your student
makes during the semester. Our success and your child’s success will be enhanced by your help. We ask that
you to provide as much practice at home as possible.
In order to assist you in driving with your child, we have provided a schedule that will be followed in our
Behind the Wheel (BTW) program. We have included our objectives, as well as suggestions in this week-toweek progression. Please utilize this guide while driving with your child. Also, do not hesitate to call us if you
need any assistance.
In the guide, we have attempted to include all pertinent information that will take your child from a beginning
driver to a more confident one, prepared to take the driver’s test.
We have included a driving log to encourage students and parents to document actual miles driven. We would
appreciate your assistance in completing this chart. We will request to see this log during the semester, and will
ask parents to sign and verify the miles recorded on this chart.
In order for our program to be successful, we need your assistance at home. It is our objective to produce safe,
efficient drivers who have a concern in reducing traffic collisions and deaths which needs to be reinforced in
every way possible at home and school. We strongly encourage your son/daughter to drive 1-2 hours a week
outside of school. This will improve the student’s decision and judgment making skills which will improve their
driving ability.
**Lastly, we would like to address two fees that are associated with Driver Education. There is a $20 state fee
to obtain a permit and a $300 fee for the Behind the Wheel portion of Driver Education.**
We would like to keep parents informed and involved; therefore, we encourage emails, phone calls or meetings
if you have any questions or concerns.
We thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
The Driver Education Staff
Lake Zurich High School
Mr. Reagan
(847) 540-5470
tom.reagan@lz95.org
Mr. Williams
(847) 540-5469
shane.williams@lz95.org
Mr. Strickler
(847) 540-5467
dan.strickler@lz95.org
Mrs. Lewandowski
(847) 540-5473
becky.lewandowski@lz95.org
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Lake Zurich High School
Driver Education Department
Contents
Letter to Parents
Content of this Guide
Driver Education Assignment Information
Graduating Licensing System
General Classroom Policies
Classroom Sequence
Behind-The-Wheel Schedule
Introductory Information
Procedure Sheet
Lessons
50 hour log sheet for the State
DMV-Affidavit/consent for Minor to Drive
Parental Signature Form
Early Permit Test Information
Page
1
2
3
4-6
7
8
9
10-11
12
13-19
20-21
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Driver Education Assignment Information
1.
NOTEBOOK
Each student is required to keep a notebook of Behind the Wheel lesson. These will be
graded periodically at unannounced times. Notebooks must be brought to Behind the
Wheel daily.
2.
BOOK: DRIVE RIGHT
Students are required to bring their classroom textbook to class each day. This book
will be issued the first day of class. If there is damage to the book or the book is not
handed in at the end of the semester, there will be a $65 fee for a replacement book.
3.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
Students will be required to do most of this work outside of class. It is essential to your
grade that the student gets their work done and turned in on time.
4.
CHAPTERS TO BE COVERED AND THE PROBABLE SEQUENCE:
3, 2, 1, 4, 7, 6, 5, 12, 13, 9, 10, 8, 3.4, 11, 15, 14, 16, 17, 18
5.
Students will be marked TARDY if not in their seat when the bell rings. Tardiness will
NOT BE TOLERATED. See Student Handbook.
6.
Students will be taken out of the classroom approximately every five classroom days to
drive Behind the Wheel. It will be the student’s responsibility to make up the
assignments and notes that were missed in class. All notes/power points can be
accessed on the teacher’s website. It will be the student’s responsibility to get the
missed work from their teacher. If a student misses a test on a Behind the Wheel day,
the test will be given the following day in class; any day missed after that will be made
up outside of class.
7.
Students who are unable to meet State requirements (30 hours of classroom instruction)
will automatically fail the classroom phase. (This includes field trips, doctor visits,
counselor visits, or any other absence from class including no counts.) Students also
need 6 hours of BTW instruction to pass the BTW phase of the program. Students who
do not meet the BTW requirements will fail the BTW portion of the program.
Classroom grades will be determined by test results, homework assignments, and projects. Grades can
be checked on eSchool.
BTW grades are not included in the class grade and are based on the student’s performance in the car.
This grade is pass/fail and will be determined by the student’s daily driving performance and
competency. Parents will be informed of BTW progress via departmental progress reports 2 times
during the semester. If the student fails BTW, the next available opportunity will be summer
school. Summer school fees will apply.
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“Graduate to Safety” Graduated Licensing System
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/teen_driver_safety/gdl.html
Permit Phase- Drivers Age 15
* Nighttime driving restrictions- Sunday-Thursday, 10 p.m-6 a.m., and FridaySaturday night 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (local curfews may differ from the nighttime driving
restriction).
* Permit must be held for a minimum of nine months.
* Must practice driving a minimum of 50 hours, including 10 hours of nighttime driving,
supervised by a parent or adult age 21 or older with a valid driver's license.
* Must not acquire any driving or underage drinking convictions or court supervisions
during the nine-month permit phase.
* Number of passengers limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in
the back seat.
* All occupants must wear safety belts.
* Wireless/cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under the age of 19, except
in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health-care provider
or emergency services agency.
*Texting while driving is prohibited.
Initial Licensing Phase - Drivers Age 16-17
* Nighttime driving restriction is in place Sunday-Thursday, 10 p.m-6 a.m., and FridaySaturday, 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (local curfews may differ from the nighttime driving restriction).
* Must maintain a conviction-free driving record for six months prior to turning age 18. A
traffic conviction during the Initial Licensing Phase may extend restrictions beyond 18.
* All occupants must wear safety belts.
* For the first 12 months of licensing, or until the driver is age 18, whichever occurs first,
the number of passengers is limited to one person under age 20, unless the additional
passenger(s) is a sibling, step-sibling, child, or step-child of the driver. After this period,
the number of passengers is limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety
belts in the back seat.
* Wireless/cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under the age of 19,
except in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health-care
provider or emergency services agency.
*Texting while driving is prohibited.
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Full Licensing Phase - Drivers 18-20
* No age-related restrictions apply except in cases where a driver fails to move from the
Initial Licensing Phase to the Full Licensing Phase.
* Wireless/cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under the age of 19,
except in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health-care
provider or emergency services agency.
*Texting while driving is prohibited.
Laws Parents and Teens should know
•Parental Access to Teen Driving Records — Parents may view their teen's (under age 18) driving
record free through the Secretary of State Web site. Several security features will protect the teen's
privacy and ensure that only the parents/legal guardians are granted access to the teen's driving record.
Parental Access to Teen Driving Records
•Driver's License Suspension for Alcohol Consumption — A person under the age of 21 who is
found guilty or granted court supervision for a violation of state law or local ordinance relating to illegal
consumption, possession, purchase or receipt of alcohol, regardless of whether a vehicle was involved
will face a loss of driving privileges, in addition to any fine imposed. Court supervision for any of these
offenses will result in a 3 month suspension of driving privileges; a first conviction results in a 6 month
suspension of driving privileges; a second conviction results in a 12 month suspension of driving
privileges and a third or subsequent conviction will result in a revocation of driving privileges.
•Street Racing — Driving privileges will be revoked for any person convicted of street racing, and law
enforcement may impound the vehicle for up to five days.
Applying for Your Driver’s License
Driver’s licenses for persons under age 21 are printed vertically with distinct features.
To apply for your driver’s license before reaching age 18, you must bring the following
documents to the Driver Services facility:
• Instruction permit;
• Acceptable forms of identification
• Affidavit/Consent For Minor To Drive (if applicable); and
• 50-hour driving log with proper signature.
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Related Laws
• Court Supervision for Moving Violations — A driver under age 21 is limited
to one court supervision for serious traffic offenses. To obtain court supervision for
a traffic violation, a driver under age 21 must attend traffic safety school. A driver
under age 18 must appear in court with a parent/legal guardian and also must
attend traffic safety school. If receiving court supervision for certain alcohol-related
violations, a driver under age 18 will be denied a full graduated driver’s license
for nine months.
• Loss of Driving Privileges for Moving Violations — A driver under age 21
convicted of two or more moving violations within a 24-month period will have
his/her driver’s license suspended for a minimum of 30 days. The length of the suspension
varies according to the seriousness of the traffic offenses. A driver may be
required to complete a driver remedial education course as part of reinstatement of
driving privileges. A suspended driver may be, but is not always, eligible for a
Restricted Driving Permit during the suspension period.
• Driver’s License Suspension for Alcohol Consumption — A person under
age 21 who receives court supervision for possession, consumption, purchase or
receipt of alcohol will receive a three-month driver’s license suspension. A conviction
will result in a minimum six-month suspension of driving privileges.
• Crash Involving Bodily Harm or Death — A person under age 18 charged
with an offense due to a crash where a passenger was seriously injured or killed
may be denied issuance/renewal of his/her driver’s license. Alcohol need not play
a factor in the crash.
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General Classroom Policies
To encourage a positive classroom atmosphere, encourage (and expect) all students to do the
following:
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Attend class regularly and on time.
come to class physically prepared: Book, notebook, pen/pencil
come to class mentally prepared: with a good attitude, eager to learn
Treat everyone in the class (students, teacher) with courtesy and respect.
Do all the assigned work (in and out of class) to the best of your ability.
Ask for help if you need it. It will always be given.
The following are examples of what is not allowed in the classroom:
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Swearing.
Sleeping or putting your head down on the desk.
Writing on desks, walls, posters, pictures, etc.
Littering on the floor. Please use the wastebasket or recycling bin.
Putting down or laughing at other students.
Talking while the teacher is teaching.
Talking while another student is trying to contribute something to the class.
Cheating. It’s the same as stealing – taking something that doesn’t belong to you.
Writing letters, notes or texts to loved ones, friends or people you may not know.
Doing homework for another class – unless you have permission.
Getting up and standing at the door before the bell rings.
Three keys to success in this class:
 courtesy / respect
 good attitude
 hard work
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Classroom Sequence
Assignment
Orientation
Chapter 3.1-3.3
Chapter 2
Chapter 1
Chapter 4
Chapter 7
Chapter 6
Chapter 5
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 8
Chapter 3.4
Chapter 11
Chapter 15
Chapter 14
Chapter 16
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Driver Education “BTW” Lessons
Lessons
Car Orientation/Parking Lot
Residential Driving
Gravity
2 Lane Driving
Intersections- controlled and uncontrolled turns
Lane Changes- Route 22
Lane Changes- Route 12
3 Point Turn/Intersection Turnabout
Hill Parking
Driveway Turnabout
Enter/Exit a Highway/Merging
Parallel Parking
Review for Road Test
Road Test
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Introductory Information
At Lake Zurich High School we offer both phases of the driver education course during the same
semester. This is called an INTEGRATED APPROACH. This is a distinct advantage over other
approaches, because classroom content and driving practice can be directly tied together. A short
explanation of each phase follows.
Classroom
Your child will receive approximately 50 hours of classroom instruction. Students will gain knowledge
and the mental skills necessary to help them operate a car safely. This information should help them to
make decisions that an experienced driver, like yourself, find easy to make. The State of Illinois
REQUIRES that each student attends classes for a minimum of 30 hours. This means that attendance is
very important. Absences usually result in poorer performance and excessive absences will result in
failure to meet State of Illinois Time Requirements.
Behind The Wheel
PLEASE NOTE THAT BEHIND THE WHEEL CARRIES A FEE OF $300. ALL PAYMENTS
SHOULD BE MADE TO HIGH SCHOOL’S BOOK KEEPER, LISA WELDY.
YOU MAY CONTACT HER AT (847)540-5439 or LISA.WELDY@LZ95.ORG.
Your child will receive 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. This is hardly enough time to make a
“good” driver. Good physical, decision, and judgment making skills take time and practice to develop.
To gain proficiency in these skills, your child MUST practice at home. This booklet is prepared, as a
guide to what your son or daughter will be doing behind the wheel.
What we are saying is that we need your help in two ways:
 First, please see that your child tries as hard as possible in the classroom.
 Second, provide home practice driving experience. We recommend 1-2 hours per week. If you
think about it, this is the only course that REQUIRES parents to help by providing this driving
experience.
Note: Before driving with your child, you should check with your insurance agent to make sure that
your policy covers your child . . . most companies DO NOT charge additional premiums when the
student has an instruction permit. Insurance only applies if your child is driving legally. (See the next
page for an explanation of whom your child can drive with legally.) Obviously, once your child obtains
his or her license, your insurance costs will go up if he or she is added to your policy.
Your youngster is no doubt eagerly looking forward to the privilege of becoming a legally licensed
driver. As parents and teachers, we have a serious responsibility to provide our youth with the
opportunity to learn how to use the motor vehicle wisely and safely. The following information is
provided to help you plan ahead for this vital program of instruction.
It is evident that many parents do not fully understand the provisions of our Driver License Act for the
State of Illinois, since many of our students have been allowed to drive illegally. Please be reminded
that no person may legally drive any motor vehicle upon the highways or streets of Illinois without a
valid license or instruction permit. Furthermore, it is a against the law for anyone to authorize or
knowingly permit a motor vehicle owned by him or under his control, to be driven upon a roadway by
any person who is not properly licensed. If we, as parents, do not know and respect laws, how can we
expect our children to? We must also remember that the impressions gained by young people while
riding beside adult drivers are very difficult to change during the Driver Education course.
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With the Instruction Permit that your child has obtained, he or she can legally drive with the following
people DURING THE DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE:
Mother
Father
Legal Guardian
Driver Education Teacher
Responsible ADULT acting in place of the parent
(21 or older and have had a license for at least 1 year. All of them
must be awake, sober and in the front seat)
AFTER the satisfactory completion of the Driver Education Course (passing both classroom and BTW),
your child can go to the DMV website at https://sec1.isbe.net/driveredweb/Inquiry.asp and check
to see if they have been approved. Remember that they will not be approved until after the 9
months that the law states that they must have their permit.
The Instruction Permit is good on any public roadway in Illinois. This same permit MAY NOT be valid
in another state. You can check which states allow your child to drive in with a permit by clicking on
this link: http://www.lz95.org/assets/1/6/Illinois_Permit_in_Other_States.pdf if there is ANY doubt
about the legality of your child’s driving, DO NOT allow him or her to drive in that state.
At the conclusion of the course your child should be able to perform satisfactorily in these two areas:
 Execution of selected maneuvers
 Execution of correct responses to on the road traffic situations.
These areas will be measured during the BTW lessons to determine whether or not the student passes behind the
wheel.
Area 1 Executing Maneuvers
left and right turns
uphill parking with/without a curb
downhill parking with/without a curb
intersection turnabout(backing around a corner)
3 point turnabout
driveway turnabout left and right
angled parking
perpendicular parking
parallel parking (not on Road Test)
Area 2
Executing of Correct Responses
path selection
speed selection
gap selection
space margin maintenance
communication selection
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Pre-Driving Habits
Starting and Stopping Procedures
A.
Pre-starting procedures
1. Notice position and condition of vehicle
2. Enter car
3. Place key in ignition
4. Lock door
5. Adjust seats
6. Adjust mirrors
7. Fasten seat belts
8. Check passengers and doors
B.
Starting the engine
1. Gear selector lever in park
2. Gas pedal recognition
3. Right foot on brake
4. Turn ignition to start and release
5. Read gauges or lights – all systems okay
C.
Putting car in motion
1. Right foot, press brake hard
2. Gear selector lever in drive
3. Release parking brake (if applied)
4. Check both mirrors
5. Signal proper direction
6. Shoulder check over proper direction
7. Right foot off brake and accelerate slowly
D.
Stopping car at curb and shut down
1. Position car in proper lane
2. Check both mirrors
3. Give proper signal
4. Release gas pedal
5. Brake car to slow and move gradually toward curb and stop 12” or less from curb
6. Gear selector lever to park
7. Parking brake on
8. Shut off accessories
9. Turn off ignition and remove key
10. Unfasten seat belt
11. Shoulder check before opening door
12. Lock car after leaving with key in hand
Smith System
1. Aim high in steering
2. Keep your eyes moving
3. Get the big picture
4. Make sure others see you
5. Leave yourself an out
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Orientation to the Car
Objectives
Introduce student to gauges, lights, controls, etc., of car and how to operate each.
Home Practice
Become familiar with controls of family car.
Beginning Driving
Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Starting and shut down procedures
Hand-over-hand steering
Keeping on correct side of road
Smooth starting and stopping
Signals to and from curb and at corners
Proper backing procedures
Home Practice
If your child has never driven prior to this lesson at school, start in an area that is
virtually free of cars: an empty parking lot or deserted residential street is usually a
good place to start.
If your child has never driven before, select an area near your home.
Note:
1. If necessary, parent should drive to that area.
2. Make sure your child has their PERMIT before letting them drive.
Emphasize The Following
1. Hand-over-hand steering correct hand position is either 8 and 4, or 9 and 3 on the
wheel.
2. Smoothness of brake and accelerator.
3. Procedures – in order for anything to become a habit, it must be done the same way
over and over again. The following procedures are set up in the most efficient order.
Insist that they be done in this order.
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Light residential driving, turns, introduction to lane change
Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Left and right turns with signals
Visual checks for intersections and turns
Stopping position at stop signs
Keeping car on correct side of road
Lane change on Multi-lane Street
Lane Change (3 pt check)
1
2
3
1
check mirrors
2
signal
3
shoulder check (blind spot)
4
5
Home Practice
Left and Right Turns
check mirror – DON’T STARE
signal
check all around – check left, check right,
check ahead
on left turns, recheck the OUTSIDE mirror
turn
Make turns using above procedures in a light residential area – unless you are confident
of your child’s driving ability. DO NOT travel in moderately heavy traffic yet!
Emphasize the Following
1.
2.
3.
Procedures
Smooth turns – good visual checks, proper speed, (about 5-10 mph) on turns, use
turn signals 100 feet ahead of time in rural areas.
Proper places to stop – BEFORE ALL STOP LINES, CROSSWALKS OR
SIDEWALKS.
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Introduction to Maneuvers
Objectives
Home Practice
Your child will be introduced to various maneuvers which the Secretary of State
says they must know in order to be licensed.
If your child is progressing and YOU feel confident about their ability; let them
drive on busier roads. If not, stay in lighter traffic areas for the time being.
Practice the following maneuvers at least 2 times with your child:
1. Uphill parking with a curb
2. Uphill parking without a curb
3. Downhill parking with a curb
4. Downhill parking without a curb
5. 3 pt. turnabout
6. Intersection turnabout/Backing around a corner
7. Driveway turnabout left
8. Driveway turnabout right
9. Mid block U-turn
10. Perpendicular or angle parking
11. Parallel parking
Emphasize the Following
1.
2.
3.
4.
Procedures
Use of proper speed and control when doing maneuvers.
Correct lane position when turning onto a multi-lane street.
Keeping the car straight while making shoulder check before lane changing.
DOESN’T STARE OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CONTROL.
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Intersections—Control and Uncontrolled Left and Right Hand Turns
Objectives
Your child will be able to recognize the difference between a controlled
intersection (light or stop sign) and uncontrolled intersection (no light or stop sign).
Your child will also be able to recognize turns with left turn arrow, right turn on
red, and turns with only a green light.
Home Practice
Use intersections that use control devices, lights and stop signs. Have students
make right turn on red, left turn with and without turn arrows. Also use
intersections without control devices so they can practice who has the right away at
an uncontrolled intersection.
Emphasize the Following
1. Proper position for right hand turn.
2. Stop (if applicable) behind the stop line, crosswalk, or sidewalk, then proceed
when clear.
3. Left hand turn, stop 1/3 of the way into the intersection then proceed when clear.
4. Turn into the proper lane (Right turn into right lane, left turn into left
lane).
5. Change lanes (on left turn) into the right lane when safe.
Highway Driving
Objectives
1.
2.
3.
Higher speeds (45-55)
Getting acquainted with rural driving 2 lane roads
Sign recognition
These lessons are designed to have your child experience higher speeds in different
traffic environments. The students will encounter hills, curves, etc., and the
importance of warning signs will be emphasized.
Home Practice
Since much of your child’s future driving for the next years will be in your local
area, much practice is needed in this vicinity. By now your child should have
gained more confidence and both you and your child should feel more comfortable
in the car. Procedures and turns should begin to be automatic in nature.
Emphasize the Following
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lane positions on turns
Speed control
Sign recognition
Good lane changes, if applicable
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Maneuver Competency
Objective
Practice each maneuver to remember skills required to perform them correctly.
Home Practice
1.
2.
3.
These maneuvers are essential in getting their license.
Procedures are very important.
Remind students to observe crosswalks, driveways, speed limits and signals.
City Driving
Objective
1. Use of good visual habits
2. Use of 2-3 second rule
3. Making good turns and lane changes
4. One way streets
5. Traffic lights, pedestrians, and overall city congestion
These lessons will probably be the most frightening for your child. In most cases
they will be in a strange driving environment filled with multiple hazards and are
important to these lessons.
Home Practice
If possible, expose your child to some urban driving, preferably during non-busy
hours.
Emphasize the Following
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Good visual habits
Proper following distance
Good speed control
Importance of PAYING ATTENTION to the traffic around you
Proper lane position for one way streets
Right lane hazards
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Tollway and Merging
Objectives
1. Highest permissible speeds
2. Entering and exiting (merging)
3. Passing procedures
Your child will be given the opportunity to enter and exit an expressway through
ramps. We will be using the speed limits and passing procedures if the situation
presents itself.
Home Practice and Points to Emphasize
1. If you have sufficient confidence in your child, let them practice merging on
the tollway, etc.
2. Stress the importance of advanced planning at trouble areas or spots,
parked cars along road, interchanges, etc.
3. Any type of driving would be acceptable at this point, as long as
both YOU AND YOUR CHILD feel comfortable.
Overall Driving Review
Objectives
1. Expose the students to a variety of traffic situations.
2. Familiarize students with parts of the various road routes.
3. Give students basic idea as to what type of responses are in different driving
situations.
4. Practice each maneuver at least once so as to remember skills required to
perform them correctly. They must know the maneuvers.
Home Practice and Points to Emphasize
1. Read signs and look for road clues to help you.
2. Good driving habits such as speed limit observation, signal usage, and
shoulder checks.
3. The student must show competency on these by the end of the course.
4. Maneuvers are essential in getting their license.
5. Procedures are very important.
6. Remind students to observe crosswalks, driveways, speed limits and signals.
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Road Test
Objectives
1.
2.
The driving competency is to evaluate each student’s ability to drive on city
and highway streets, which requires judgment and decision making skills
and the application of skills learned during the course.
The maneuver competency is to evaluate the student’s proficiency in doing
the maneuvers, which were taught during the course.
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We thank you very much for your interest and encourage you to use our “Driver Education Information
Packet”.
Sincerely,
The Driver Education Staff
Lake Zurich High School
Please sign and have your son or daughter return this page.
I (We), _______________________________________ the parents of ____________________________
have received and read the “Driver Education Information Packet”.
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