Resources for Educating Young Drivers
FMCSA’s resources are designed for driving instructors, parents, and others who teach young drivers. The information and tips help drivers understand large trucks and buses and the safe driving behaviors needed around them.
Free Road Safety Resources
FMCSA provides a variety of educational resources, from a complete lesson plan, to videos, a tip sheet, and more. They can all be downloaded or linked freely to educate young drivers.
This toolkit is designed for a 30- or 40-minute lesson and includes content and resources that explain the operational challenges of trucks and buses, along with tactics for driving safely around them. Download the resources below for a turnkey education session.
Lesson Plan: Safe Driving Around Large Trucks and Buses
This detailed lesson plan includes instructions, talking points, and optional activities, designed for either a 30-minute or 40-minute lesson. It can be used with or without the Presentation.
Presentation: Safe Driving Around Large Trucks and Buses
This optional presentation provides visual reinforcement and video content to augment the information provided in the Lesson Plan.
Student Handout: Safe Driving Around Large Trucks and Buses
This illustrated, two-sided student handout provides information and tips to reinforce key lesson content.
Social Graphic: Badge of Completion
This social graphic is designed to let students share their achievement and promote road safety through their personal social accounts.
You can use these additional resources as stand-alone teaching aids or to reinforce FMCSA’s Teen Driver Road Safety Toolkit.
Driving Challenges Videos
This three-part video series addresses the driving challenges around large trucks and buses, including wide turns, large blind spots, and long stopping distances. Each video is available in English and with Spanish subtitles.
A Teen’s Perspective on Road Safety
A young driver describes her personal experience navigating a close call around a large truck and shares safety tips passed down from her truck-driving grandfather.
Driving Around Large Trucks or Buses
This two-sided handout is available in English and Spanish versions. It includes illustrations and tips for sharing the roads safely.
More Materials from Our Partners
Respect the Rig
This Teens in the Driver Seat website provides tips and resources for driving safely around large trucks and buses. Resources include a Community Tool Kit, information and resources to hold a “Big Rig Event,” an Escape the Risk Online Game, and Respect the Rig Safety Toolkit with posters, video, and more.
AAMVA Model Mentor Guide
This guide is designed for driver’s license administrators to customize and share with driving instructors, parents, and others who conduct behind-the-wheel driving experiences with new drivers. It provides exercises to develop driving skills; a sample plan for 60 hours of supervised driving; and a log to track practice hours.
Young Driver Career Opportunities
The FMCSA Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program
The SDAP program allows qualified drivers aged 18-20 with an intrastate Commercial Driver’s License to be sponsored as apprentices by participating trucking companies. Under the program’s required training, supervision, and conditions, these young drivers can operate in interstate commerce before the age of 21, gaining invaluable experience and training to launch their trucking careers.
Apprentice Drivers Fact Sheet
The fact sheet provides highlights of the program and a summary of Required Driver Qualifications for participation.
SDAP How to Apply Guide
This succinct flyer highlights the three-step process for becoming an apprentice, with QR codes leading to relevant details.
Encourage young drivers to visit the Teen Zone for more road safety tips, resources, and activities—including the FMCSA’s Road Safety Art Contest.
Last updated: Tuesday, November 12, 2024