Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Grades 9-12

Highway License Requirements

  • 1

    LEARNER LICENSE1-1

    1. 1

      Compare and contrast a learner license for a 15-year-old with a learner license for a 16-year-old.COS #1

    2. 2

      Explain consequences of not having a learner license in possession when driving if questioned by a law enforcement officer. COS #2

    3. 3

      Explain the difference between driving as a privilege versus driving as a right.COS #3

  • 2

    DRIVER LICENSE1-2

    1. 4

      Explain the requirements for obtaining an Alabama driver license. COS #4

    2. 5

      Identify individuals who cannot be licensed.COS #5

    3. 6

      Explain the consequences of driving without possession of a driver license. COS #6

  • 3

    APPLICABLE FEES1-3

    1. 7

      Explain the costs of obtaining and reinstating driver licenses for motor vehicles, motorcycles and vessels.COS #7

  • 4

    LICENSE RENEWAL1-4

    1. 8

      Describe conditions under which retesting is required for renewal of a driver license.COS # 8

  • 5

    SUSPENSION/REVOCATION/CANCELLATION1-5

    1. 9

      Compare and contrast suspension, revocation, and cancellation of driver license.COS # 9

Traffic Laws

  • 1

    SPEED REGULATIONS2-1

    1. 10

      Define and explain terminology related to speed limits.COS #10

  • 2

    STOPPING2-2

    1. 11

      Discuss situations that require drivers to bring their vehicles to a complete stop.COS #11

  • 3

    RIGHT OF WAY2-3

    1. 12

      Describe situations where stopping or yielding is required as a result of right-of-way laws.COS #12

  • 4

    PASSING2-4

    1. 13

      Explain how traffic signs and pavement markings regulate the passing maneuver.COS #13

    2. 14

      List situations in which passing would be illegal or irresponsible.COS #14

  • 5

    TRAFFIC CONTROLS2-5

    1. 15

      Identify basic types of traffic controlsCOS #15

    2. 16

      Describe ways of recognizing traffic signs. COS #16

    3. 17

      Discuss different types of traffic signs and their meaningsCOS #17

  • 6

    OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM2-6

    1. 18

      Explain regulations regarding the use of occupant restraints. COS #18

Responsible Ownership

  • 1

    VEHICLE REGISTRATION3-1

    1. 19

      Explain Alabama’s motor vehicle registration law COS #19

  • 2

    INSURANCE3-2

    1. 20

      Identify the various types of insurance available to the consumer.COS #20

    2. 21

      Discuss the variables involved in purchasing automobile insurance. COS #21

    3. 22

      Discuss the importance of periodically evaluating individual insurance coverageCOS #22

  • 3

    FUEL ECONOMY3-3

    1. 23

      Explain energy-efficient driving practices.COS #23

    2. 24

      Analyze the best possible routes to conserve fuel consumption when traveling.COS #24

    3. 25

      Calculate the fuel consumption to determine miles per gallon of a vehicle.COS #25

  • 4

    AUTO MAINTENANCE3-4

    1. 26

      Explain the importance of a vehicle owner’s manualCOS #26

    2. 27

      Identify maintenance checks that must be performed on a regular basis as outlined in the owner’s manual.COS #27

  • 5

    VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORTING3-5

    1. 28

      Explain the proper procedures concerning traffic accident reporting (Alabama Drivers’ Manual). COS #28

Driving Procedures and Maneuvers

  • 1

    PRE-START CHECKS4-1

    1. 29

      Explain the pre-start procedure.COS #29

    2. 30

      Explain the proper procedure for starting, stopping and securing the vehicle.COS #30

  • 2

    BASIC MANEUVERS4-2

    1. 31

      Identify situations in which speed slower than the posted speed limits is needed.COS #31

    2. 32

      Explain proper steering procedures and rationale for the use of each. COS #32

    3. 33

      Explain procedures for different types of braking systems.COS #33

    4. 34

      Demonstrate the correct use of hand and mechanical signals.COS #34

    5. 35

      Explain lane-changing procedures. COS #35

    6. 36

      Explain proper parking procedures. COS #36

  • 3

    DEFENSIVE DRIVING4-3

    1. 37

      Explain the Smith System of accident-free driving. COS #37

    2. 38

      Discuss the SIPDE process for defensive driving.COS #38

    3. 39

      Explain how laws of nature affect vehicle control. COS #39

Factors Related to Youthful Drivers

  • 1

    INEXPERIENCE5-1

    1. 40

      Explain the relationship between inexperienced drivers and traffic crashes. COS #40

  • 2

    PEER INFLUENCE5-2

    1. 41

      Evaluate the negative impact of peer influence on youthful drivers. COS #41

  • 3

    SPEEDING5-3

    1. 42

      Explain the relationship between speed and traffic fatalities.COS #42

  • 4

    DISTRACTIONS5-4

    1. 43

      Identify distractions that result in inattention while driving. COS #43

Physical and Mental Impairments

  • 1

    ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS6-1

    1. 44

      Define the two general types of drugs. COS #44

    2. 45

      Generalize the effect alcohol and other drugs have on driving abilityCOS #45

    3. 46

      Explain the synergistic effect of alcohol and other drugs. COS #46

    4. 47

      Define Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).COS #47

  • 2

    Alabama’s Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) Laws6-2

    1. 48

      Identify levels of legal intoxication under the DUI Law. COS #48

    2. 49

      Explain the levels of punishment under Alabama law as related to driving under the influene of alcohol and other drugs.COS #49

    3. 50

      Explain Alabama’s Implied Consent Law in relation to alcohol consumption while driving. COS #50

  • 3

    SHORT-TERM IMPAIRMENTS6-3

    1. 51

      Understand the effects of emotional short-term impairmentsCOS #51

    2. 52

      Understand the effects of physical short-term impairments on driving.COS #52

Other Highway Users

  • 1

    PEDESTRIANS, MOTORCYCLISTS, AND BICYCLISTS7-1

    1. 53

      Discuss an automobile driver’s responsibilities toward other highway users.COS #53

    2. 54

      Describe safety practices that other highway users should follow. COS #54

  • 2

    COMMERCIAL VEHICLES7-2

    1. 55

      Discuss the dangers involved in sharing the road with commercial vehicles.COS #55

  • 3

    SCHOOL BUSES 7-3

    1. 56

      Describe safe driving habits when stopping for, following, or meeting a school bus.COS #56

Different Environments and Conditions

  • 1

    RURAL DRIVING8-1

    1. 57

      Identify driving threats that may occur on rural roads and unmarked roads.COS #57

    2. 58

      Explain the following distance rules in relation to rural driving.COS #58

  • 2

    URBAN DRIVING8-2

    1. 60

      Compare accident statistics of urban and rural driving (Use Alabama Traffic Accident Facts).COS #60

    2. 61

      Describe safe-driving procedures in relation to urban streets.COS #61

    3. 62

      Discuss the importance of proper lane placement COS #62

    4. 64

      Explain the importance of establishing a safe following distance in urban traffic. COS #64

  • 3

    LIMITED AND CONTROLLED ACCESS HIGHWAYS8-3

    1. 65

      List reasons why limited and controlled access highways have lower collision and fatality rates. COS #65

  • 12

    EMERGENCY SITUATIONS8-12

    1. 68

      Describe correct procedures to follow when confronted with road emergencies.COS #68

    2. 69

      Explain how to avoid or minimize collisions.COS #69

  • 5

    ADVERSE CONDITIONS8-5

    1. 70

      Explain the importance of Alabama’s basic speed law during adverse conditions.COS #70

    2. 71

      Explain how laws of nature affect vehicle control during adverse driving conditionsCOS #71

    3. 72

      Explain ways to correct reduced visibility.COS #72

    4. 73

      Discuss the proper technique for skid control.COS #73

  • 6

    RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS8-6

    1. 74

      Discuss the proper driving technique for approaching various railroad grade crossings.COS #74

BOATING SAFETY

  • 1

    ALABAMA’S BOATING LAW9-1

    1. 75

      Understand Alabama’s Boating Safety Act.COS #75

    2. 76

      Boating TerminologyCOS #76

  • 3

    BOAT OPERATION9-3

    1. 77

      Explain general navigation skills for safe boating.COS #77

    2. 78

      Explain Alabama state required and United States Coast Guard required equipment for safe boating.COS #78

    3. 79

      Explain navigational waterway-marking systems.COS #79

    4. 80

      Discuss proper procedures for preparing for boatingCOS #80

  • 4

    TRAILERING9-4

    1. 81

      Understand the proper procedures for loading and unloading a vessel from a trailer.COS #81

    2. 82

      Understand the proper procedures for towing a vessel.COS #82

  • 5

    PERSONAL WATERCRAFT OPERATION9-5

    1. 83

      Compare personal watercraft to a conventional vessel.COS #83

  • 6

    BOATING HAZARDS AND PROBLEMS9-6

    1. 84

      Identify common hazards and problems of the marine enviornment.COS #84

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12
Where can I read the official document?
Traffic Safety Education

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Drivers and Traffic Safety Education standards

Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.