Our Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) lessons are designed to build confident, safe, and responsible drivers through structured, state-approved instruction. All lessons are taught by Minnesota-licensed instructors using dual-control training vehicles to ensure maximum safety.
Total Hours Included
Life Star Driving School provides:
✔ 6 Hours of Behind-the-Wheel Instruction
Delivered in three 2-hour lessons or four 1.5-hour lessons, depending on scheduling and student readiness.
Additional lessons may be purchased for students who need extra practice.
BTW Curriculum Overview
Each lesson follows Minnesota DPS guidelines and covers the full range of real-world driving skills needed to pass the road test and stay safe on the road.
Lesson 1:
Foundations of Vehicle Control & Basic Maneuvers
Goals:
- Build familiarity with the training vehicle
- Teach essential controls and safe-start procedures
- Establish confidence through low-risk environments
Skills Covered:
- Proper seating, mirrors & hand position
- Smooth acceleration & braking
- Right & left turns
- Lane positioning
- Speed control
- Curbside pulls & stops
- Scanning and situational awareness
- Starting, stopping, and vehicle balance
- Intro to controlled intersections
- Basic residential driving
Student Outcomes:
- Demonstrates smooth vehicle control
- Understands traffic flow in neighborhoods
- Maintains proper scanning habit
Lesson 2:
Intermediate Skills, Traffic Navigation & Parking Mastery
Goals:
- Strengthen decision-making
- Introduce moderate-traffic environments
- Begin structured parking training
Skills Covered:
- Traffic light intersections & right-of-way
- Lane changes and gap selection
- Roundabout navigation
- One-way vs two-way streets
- Speed limit transitions
- Parallel parking (step-by-step)
- 90-degree backing into parking space
- Straight-line backing
- Hill parking (uphill/downhill)
- Hazard detection in busier areas
Student Outcomes:
- Successfully performs lane changes
- Understands intersection rules
- Demonstrates controlled parking maneuvers
Lesson 3:
Advanced Driving, Highways, & Road Test Preparation
Goals:
- Prepare students for high-speed environments
- Simulate road test expectations
- Reinforce safe driving decisions
Skills Covered:
- Freeway merging, exiting, and lane changes
- Maintaining safe following distance
- Managing blind spots
- Cooperative driving behavior
- Complex intersections
- Defensive driving strategies
- Work zone safety (required by MN Statute)
- Distracted driving prevention
- Mock road test (optional) including:
- Parallel parking
- Quick stop
- Turns
- Backing skills
- Lane discipline
- Observation & signaling
Student Outcomes:
- Demonstrates safe highway driving
- Understands full Minnesota Road Test expectations
- Can independently manage most driving situations
Safety Protocols
Life Star Driving School ensures maximum safety through:
- Dual-control brake systems
- Clean, well-maintained vehicles
- Mandatory seat belts for all occupants
- Pre-trip safety checks
- Strict no-phone policy
- Real-time instructor monitoring
Students must bring:
- Valid instruction permit
- Glasses/contacts (if required)
- Closed-toe shoes
Scheduling
- BTW sessions available 7 days a week
- Morning, afternoon, and evening slots
- Flexible rescheduling with 24-hour notice
- Pickup/drop-off availability depending on location
Documentation Provided
Upon completion of BTW hours, students receive:
- Verification of BTW training
- Driving progress report
- Instructor evaluation
- Road test readiness assessment
Learning Outcomes (End of BTW Training)
By the end of all lessons, students will be able to:
✔ Operate a vehicle smoothly and safely
✔ Apply defensive driving techniques
✔ Navigate real traffic with confidence
✔ Understand roadway rules and right-of-way
✔ Execute all required parking maneuvers
✔ Merge safely onto highways
✔ Identify and avoid hazards
✔ React appropriately in unexpected situations
✔ Demonstrate road test readiness
