The Montana Traffic Education Curriculum Guide meets the content standards, benchmarks, and performance standards for teen driver education. Structured learning and guided practice is needed for students to acquire and demonstrate legal and safe driving skills, habits, and responsibilities. Teen drivers must complete an approved Montana driver education and training program to obtain a Montana driver’s license before age 16. The essential knowledge and skills topics identify the instruction needed to meet the standards and benchmarks and assist a teen driver in becoming proficient in their driver performance (ARM 10.13.401-410). Driving is a complex set of skills. It takes months, even years, for new drivers to develop the skills and decision making that allows them to interact with vehicles, other drivers, and the highway system at a level most drivers take for granted. The first six months are the most critical. New drivers need to think about their driving actions. Appropriate and safe responses need to become habits through repeated practice of correct behaviours. Montana’s teen driver education and training program provides the foundation for students, assisted by parents or other supervising drivers, to develop the necessary skills and experience to become safe, competent drivers. (Author/publisher)
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