Our Program - Driving Education, Cape Cod

           At Grand Prix we pride ourselves on having a rock solid curriculum sure to produce safe,                                                                                                            confident, responsible drivers.

• INTRODUCTION TO GRAND PRIX RULES AND REGULATIONS - HISTORY OF THE MOTOR CAR:  Development through the ages, the car and social trends, new materials in manufacturing, radial tires, safety features, computer technology, anti-lock brakes, turbo charged engines, twin cam 16 valve engines.
  
  
• BASIC DRIVING MANEUVERS:  Drive centered in the lane with good speed control without excessive braking, making squared off lefts and rounded off rights using hand-over-hand method of steering with eye/hand coordination, lane changes.  DRIVERS EDUCATION PROCEDURES:  Procedures used to maneuver the vehicle, use of mirrors, 12-15 second visual lead, 3 or more seconds following distance. SMITH SYSTEM:  Aim high in steering, get the big picture, keep your eyes moving, leave yourself an out, make sure others can see you, space cushion driving (this method is stressed throughout the entire class and during driving lessons).

• DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL PERCEPTUAL SKILLS:   Establishing a visual lead, night driving, railroad crossings, blind spots, using the mirrors effectively.
  
  
• COMPENSATING FOR:  Failing eyesight, medication, physical disabilities, handicapped drivers, night driving, driver license restrictions.
  
  
• HIGHWAY SYSTEMS & HIGHWAY DRIVING:   Color codes, road side markings, exiting and entering the highway, passing, merging with traffic, highway hypnoses, use of maps.
  
  
• KNOWING ABOUT THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THE VEHICLE:   Seat belts, airbags, ABS brakes, children riding safely in the vehicle.
  
  
• MASSACHUSETTS MOTOR VEHICLE CODE:  Insurance and registration procedures, accident information and reports, required motor vehicle equipment, inspection process, traffic controls, responsibilities of the operator and owner, safe operating practices.
  
  
• DRUG AND ALCOHOL EDUCATION:  Six (6) hours of instruction including:  physical affects, blood alcohol content, serving equivalents, under-21 offenses, repeat offenses, penalties, and legal implications.
  
  
• DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER:  Use of lights, cruise control, front wheel drive, black ice, threshold braking, hydroplaning, skid control, rain, ice, fog, snow, winter driving.
  
  
• DRIVING AND INTERACTING WITH OTHER TYPES OF VEHICLES:   Advantages and disadvantages of driving a small car, small cars in crashes, sharing the road with big trucks and motorcycles.
  
  
• DRIVING EMERGENCIES AND WHAT TO DO IF ONE OCCURS:   Brake failure, blow outs, going off road, slick surfaces, headlight failure, emergency braking, hydroplaning.
  
  
• VEHICLE PURCHASE NEW AND USED:  Style, size, economy, insurance cost, safe colors, standard safety features, leasing a car, depreciation, classic cars.
  
  
• HELPFUL DRIVING TIPS AND PREVENTION OF VEHICLE ABUSE: Safe operational practices, preventative maintenance, tire inspection, alignment and balance, radials, all season, or bias ply.
  
  
• OPERATION OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE:   Mechanics of the drive train, vehicle systems.
  
  
• CAR MAINTENANCE: Checking fluids, replacing fluids, differences in gasoline octane, identifying problems, car care, automotive first aid, winterizing your car.
  
  
• INSURANCE INFORMATION:  Premiums, what accidents do to insurance rates, coverage in Massachusetts, what to do in the event of an accident (who to call, what to file and why).
  
  
• FINAL EXAMINATION