Defensive Driving

This online BC Safe Driving course covers the following topics:

• Components of your vehicle
• Attitude
• Hazards
• Activities of attentive driving
• Observation
• Signalling
• Basic traffic rules
• Traveling near other vehicles
• Traffic lights
• Traffic safety laws
• Distracted driving
• Driving conditions
• Steering
• Parking
• Emergencies
• Skidding
• Brake malfunction
• Accelerator malfunction
• Sudden tire deflation
• Headlight burn out
• Vehicle fires
• Dropping off pavement
• Collisions

Participants who achieve a passing grade receive a Certificate of Completion.

Approximately 3.5 hours

Exam questions are interspersed throughout the course to ensure that attention is given to the course material. The exam has a minimum of 50 questions which are different for each student. The passing grade is 70%. Participants are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved on the first attempt. This course is conducted entirely online. It takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete. Stringent procedures are maintained to ensure compliance with the course rules

The Five Fundamentals of Defensive Driving

THINK AND LOOK AHEAD

Superior vision and observation is the first fundamental for safe, incident free driving. Vision is a learned skill that is often not taught properly (or at all) to new drivers regardless of whether they are trained by family of in a school setting. This foundation skill is taught in-depth in preparation for the skill to follow. Avoiding distracted driving is a key element in this module

• The dangers and penalties for distracted driving
• How to avoid distracted driving
• Understanding and applying advanced observation and recognition skills
• Understanding the importance of eye lead time and how to calculate it
• Visual search and scanning techniques
• Developing total situational awareness by getting a big picture view
• Mirror adjustment to minimize or eliminate blind spots

ANTICIPATE HAZARDS

Hazards abound in every driving environment. Defensive drivers recognize the hazards in their environment and understand how to mitigate the risks the they present

• Using superior vision to identify potential hazards
• Recognizing potential hazards before they become critical
• Classifying types of hazards using risk assessment strategies
• Predicting other traffic movements and planning responses in advance

KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN

Space around the vehicle in traffic affords a driver time to respond to other driver actions and other hazards. Managing space is skill necessary to effective defensive driving and this module provides multiple strategies to develop and maintain a safety cushion of space around the vehicle in a variety of situations.

• Concepts of space cushion driving and the safety zone around a vehicle
• Establishing and maintaining a safe following distance and adjusting for speed, vehicle configuration and conditions
• Optimum spacing at stops and intersections to provide vision and sight lines
• Freeway and highway space risk management

MANAGE THE RISK

Risk exists whenever a vehicle is in motion. The defensive driver understands the risk and takes action to eliminate unacceptable risk entirely (like choosing to not drive in a vehicle unequipped for the conditions) and mitigating acceptable risks by taking concrete action like covering the brake or choosing safer lanes or routes. Many risks are associated with the driver themselves including impairment resulting for substances like alcohol, cannabis or drugs (prescription or otherwise) and fatigue Strategies are explored to mitigate a variety of types of risk.

• Understanding and avoiding impairment and impairing substances including alcohol, cannabis and drugs when driving or working
• Recognizing fatigue and the risks associated with insufficient rest and/or sleep
• How to make good decisions to minimize risk in common driving situations
• Identifying safe speeds
• How to take proactive steps to reduce risk in critical situations

CONTROL WITH FINESSE

Superior vehicle control is the capstone to defensive driving skills. Optimizing traction is the objective and is achieved by developing smooth and balanced control inputs. Great steering, braking and acceleration skills permit abrupt or evasive manoeuvres to avoid crashes to be executed successfully under control

• Vehicle seating position for optimal control
• Total control steering technique as used by high performance drivers
• Maintaining vehicle balance and stability to optimize traction
• How to develop superior steering, braking, and accelerator control
• Correct use of anti-lock brakes

Upon successful completion of this course, an online certificate of completion will be available for download and printing.

Approximately 1.5 hours

Testing conducted throughout this online Defensive Driving Fundamentals course is designed to reinforce the information presented. A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Participants are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved.

This online Defensive Driving Fundamentals & Attitudes course covers the following topics:

• Understanding Triggers
• Managing Driving Stress
• Anger
• Aggressive Driving
• Emotional IQ
• Think and Look Ahead
• Anticipate Hazards
• Keep Your Options Open
• Manage the Risk

Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available to download and print.

Approximately 2 hours

Testing conducted throughout this online Defensive Driving Fundamentals and Attitudes course is designed to reinforce the information presented. A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Participants are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved.

This course breaks down the root causes of unsafe driving and provides actionable strategies to avoid them. Key topics include:

• The Driver’s Role in Highway Safety: Understanding your impact on the road.
• Navigating the Traffic Safety Act: Clear, practical insights into Alberta’s driving laws.
• The Driving Triangle: How the driver, vehicle, and environment interact.
• Managing Impairments & Emergencies: Proven solutions for overcoming distractions, impairments, and unexpected hazards.

Participants who successfully pass will receive an Alberta Transportation-recognized Notice of Driver Education Course Completion from AMA. Take this to any Alberta registry agent to have up to three demerit points removed from your driving record.

Alberta license holders can visit any Alberta registries to get up to three demerit points removed from their driving record.

Licenced outside Alberta? Contact your home province or territory to confirm whether this course qualifies for demerit reduction.

6.5 hours (online, self-paced)

Score 80% or higher on the final exam. (Up to two attempts are provided).

• General licensing requirements
• Graduated licensing
• Under the hood
• Interior inspections
• Driver setup
• Walk-arounds
• Blind areas and blind spots
• Traffic controls
• Intersections
• Lane driving
• U-turns
• Driving downtown

There is no certificate available for this course as it is a preparation test only.

Approximately 90 minutes

Practice exams are included, but there is no required passing mark.

Introduction

• Driver Competency Model.

SAFER System of Defensive Driving

• Attitude.
• Foresight.
• Eyesight.
• Responsibility.

Adverse Conditions

• Light.
• Weather.
• Road.
• Traffic.
• Driver.
• Vehicle.

Most Common Collisions

• Wildlife.
• Jackknifing.
• Rollover Collisions.
• Head on Collisions.
• Backing Collisions.

Fatigue Management

• Defining Fatigue.
• Understanding Fatigue.
• Recognizing Fatigue.
• Fatigue Strategies.
• Journey Management.
• Fatigue Strategies that do not Work.
• Your Responsibility.

Conclusion

Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available for download and printing. The certificate is valid for 3 years from the course completion date indicated on the certificate.

Approximately 3 hours

Testing conducted throughout this online course is designed to reinforce the information presented. A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Participants are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved. Printable resources are available in the form of a comprehensive student manual. The manual is a valuable resource for future use and knowledge retention.

In this online Winter Driving Fundamentals course, the following topics are covered:

• Conditions that affect winter driving
  • Weather
  • Vehicles
  • Roads
  • Traffic
  • Lighting
  • Drivers
• Traction and control
  • Understanding traction
  • Tires
• The 3 elements of control
  • Speed
  • Vehicle condition and technology
  • Driving skills

Also see Thinking Driver’s “Defensive Driving: Extreme Winter Driving with Skid Control/Recovery” for a more comprehensive course.

Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available for download and printing.

Approximately 30 minutes

Testing conducted throughout this online Winter Driving Fundamentals course is designed to reinforce the information presented. A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Participants are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved. Supplemental materials necessary to complete this course can be accessed online.