Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does this really work:

A. Research has shown that graduates of this program have 77% fewer crashes than their peers. Click Here for more information.

Q. Will I need a lot of equipment to set up and do the exercises?

A. Not at all. You can use the length of your own walking pace to estimate the distances for setting up the various courses. You will need course markers and you can make those out of empty milk or juice cartons. It's all explained in the workbook chapter "How To Do This Stuff."

Q. I'm not such a good driver myself. How can I teach my child?

A. This is the most frequently asked question. First, you are not teaching -- you are coaching. All you have to do is help the student understand the exercises as they are laid out in the workbook and follow the instructions for the Coach that are side-by-side with those for the Driver. You are both "on the same page." The exercises do all the teaching.

The second part of the answer lies in the fact that the automobile is a wonderful teaching machine; it gives the student instant feedback. You don't have to tell them when they've goofed -- the car and the exercises do it for you. That's the way we've designed the exercises -- so that they give feedback immediately. Your only job is to give the New Driver encouragement to practice, practice, practice and help them analyze their own progress.

Q. Where will I find the parking lot to do these exercises?

A. Everywhere. Try the high school, the church, one end of a shopping center. Bring along the papers to show that you and the New Driver are licensed and insured. If you show the book and tell people what you're doing, most of them will be glad to help.

Q. How much time does this take?

A. We can't tell anyone how much a safe driver is worth. But, any New Driver we've seen will make a lot of improvement in as little as six hours of doing these exercises. We suggest that you start out planning to take an hour and a half on each of 4 weekend days. You may be surprised that you and your New Driver are enjoying the challenge so much you come back for more. After all, nothing beats that feeling of confidence you get when you believe in your ability to do something difficult. The exercises are not boring and you can make them as challenging as you choose as time goes on.

Q. Are the exercises all in parking lots, or are there on-road lessons too?

A. The New Driver Car Control Clinic also includes some on-road exercises for the improved driver to develop a lifetime habit of concentrating on the situation at hand. These call for early identification of potential trouble and planning for the worst reality. Called "Escape Route," these exercises will show the parent or Coach how alert, informed and aware the New Driver is. And, there may be a surprise or two for the experienced driver as well. On the highway, danger is always nearby and early recognition is the secret of accident avoidance and defensive driving.

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Q. Does this program really work?

A. Research shows that Clinic graduates have 77% fewer crashes than their peers. Click HERE for research report..

Q: How old must my new driver be:

A: S/He must have a valid Learner's Permit or Driver's License and enough experience behind the wheel to be comfortable making the car go forwards, backwards, left, and right. S/he should also be comfortable pulling into a line of parked cars.

Q: What happens at a Clinic?

A: The New Driver Car Control Clinic is the advanced level of driver's education. We start with a short classroom discussion of vehicle dynamics -- how and why the car behaves the way it does in an emergency. We then move to the Training Range and begin performing in-car exercises to develop the driver's eye, brake and steering management skills.

Q: What will we learn in a Clinic?

A: We teach accident avoidance and defensive driving skills including Brake Management -- the "panic" stop without the panic; Steering Management --how to make the car go precisely where you want it to, even in an emergency; Eye Management -- judging where the four corners of the car are and the relationship between where your car is and where you want to go. We also teach Wet Weather Driving.

Q: What kind of a car should we bring?

A: Bring the one that the new driver is most likely to be driving in everyday life. We get everything from cargo vans to sports cars. Every car is different in its performance, but none can defy the laws of physics. We wouldn't try to teach you how to play baseball wearing your dress shoes.

Q: Can I cancel or change my reservation?

A: Tuition is non-refundable and you cannot change your Clinic date. However, you can find another family with a 15 or 16-year-old. Give them your unwanted reservation and work out the finances between you.

Q: What about rain?

A: It only gets better in the rain. Bring your rain gear if appropriate.

Q: Will I get a discount on my insurance?

A: The way the most state laws read, any company licensed to sell insurance in that state MAY, if it chooses, give a discount for a defensive driving course. We do give a certificate of completion for you to give to your insurance agent. Many of our customers do receive discounts. Contact your agent to see if your family qualifies.

Q: What will I do while my new driver is doing the exercises?

A: Coaches watch, ride, learn, participate. Without fail, whenever we do these Clinics, several Coaches come to us afterwards and say, "Geeze, I learned as much here as my child." And, please don't get shy when we give the "switch" signal, which means swap places with the Driver and do the exercise. First, it's a valuable experience in your role as Coach to see that this stuff ain't easy. Second, it eases tension between parent and child to see the parent struggling with the same task. Third, it might save your beans some day.

Have a question in search of an answer? Please email us at faq@carcontrol.com.