NHSA is a state-approved driver education provider and is not a government agency or affiliated with NHTSA.

NHSA Blog

What Is the VIN for Your Vehicle?

What Is the VIN for Your vehicle?

If you’ve ever looked at your vehicle’s dashboard or door jamb, you’ve probably seen a long string of letters and numbers labeled VIN. While it may look random, your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is actually a highly structured code that tells a detailed story about your vehicle. Understanding your VIN can help with registration, insurance, recalls, parts ordering, theft prevention, and vehicle history checks. Let’s break it down.

What is a VIN?

A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every modern vehicle. No two vehicles share the same VIN. Think of it as your car’s fingerprint. Each section of the VIN has a specific meaning defined by international standards.

Example VIN: 1HGCM82633A123456

The VIN Structure Explained

The 17 characters are divided into three major sections:

  1. World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) — Characters 1–3. These characters identify where the vehicle was built and who built it.

Character 1 – Country of Origin. Indicates the country where the vehicle was manufactured. (Examples: 1, 4, 5 → United States, 2 → Canada, 3 → Mexico, J → Japan, K → Korea, W → Germany

Character 2 – Manufacturer. Identifies the vehicle brand or maker.

Character 3 – Vehicle Type / Division. Further specifies the manufacturer or vehicle category.

  1. Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) — Characters 4–9. This portion describes the vehicle’s design and features. It may include information such as: Body style, Engine type, Transmission, Model or series, Restraint system

Character 9 – Check Digit (Important!). Used to verify that the VIN is valid. It helps detect fraudulent or mistyped VINs.

  1. Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) — Characters 10–17. This section uniquely identifies the specific vehicle.

Character 10 – Model Year. This indicates the vehicle’s model year using a standardized code. (Examples: A → 2010, B → 2011, C → 2012, D → 2013. Letters and numbers progress over time)

Character 11 – Assembly Plant. Shows where the vehicle was physically assembled.

Characters 12–17 – Serial Number. A unique production sequence number for that vehicle.

Why the VIN Matters

Your VIN plays a critical role in many aspects of vehicle ownership:

Recalls & Safety Notices – Manufacturers track defects by VIN

Insurance & Registration – Ensures correct vehicle identification

Vehicle History Reports – Accident and ownership records

Theft Prevention – Assists law enforcement

Parts & Repairs – Confirms exact vehicle configuration

Where Can You Find the VIN?

Most vehicles display the VIN in multiple locations:

Dashboard (visible through windshield)

Driver-side door frame / jamb

Vehicle title and registration

Insurance documents

Engine bay (sometimes)

Multiple VIN locations help prevent tampering.

Final Thoughts

While a VIN may seem like just a random code, it’s actually a carefully designed system that identifies your vehicle’s origin, build details, and uniqueness. Knowing how to read it can be surprisingly useful—especially when buying, selling, insuring, or repairing a vehicle.

Next time you see your VIN plate, you’ll know it’s more than just numbers—it’s your vehicle’s entire identity encoded in 17 characters.

 

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!

February - Parent Leadership Month - Driving

February - Parent Leadership Month - Driving

An African proverb once said, "It takes a village to raise a child.” It is true that others in society help, but the primary responsibility to teach children to make good choices falls on their parents/guardians. In this article, we will briefly discuss teaching good driving habits. Good driving habits for children start with watching and learning how their parents/guardians act and react while driving.

Use your conversations

Start by having meaningful conversations with your teens even before they get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

  1. You could begin by explaining how to be aware and how to avoid distractions inside and outside of the vehicle.
  2. Next, help them to understand and appreciate what it means to be a good defensive driver, and what to expect on different types of roadways. For example, explain and show them how to drive on rural roadways versus city streets.

What about your example?

The philosophy, “Do as I say and not as I do,” does not work very well for safety training, especially for teenagers. Young first-time drivers, trying to get their permit or license, will often mirror how their parents act and react on the roadway. Remember, your actions while driving will affect their actions while driving.  

Here are a few practical ways to train first-time drivers by focusing on driver safety and awareness:

  1. No texting.
  2. Always wear your seat belt.
  3. Always follow speed limits, which will positively influence your impressionable first time drivers.

Bottom line:  Parent Leadership Month is a nudge for everyone—especially parents and guardians—to drive more responsibly, stay alert, and prioritize safety around new drivers. 

 

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!

5 Options if You Get Locked Out of Your Car

5 Options if You Get Locked Out of Your Car

Oh no! You have that moment of dread as you close your car door and realize that your keys or key fob are resting comfortably in the center console. What should you do?

First: take a breath. Second: stop tugging the door handle like it might suddenly feel sorry for you. Third: remember—you actually have options. Being locked out of your car is annoying, inconvenient, and mildly humiliating, but it’s rarely the end of the world. Here are five realistic options to get you back inside.

1. Check All the Doors (Yes, All of Them)

This sounds obvious, which is why people skip it—and regret it later. Before calling for help, check every door, including the trunk or hatch. You might be shocked how often one door is unlocked while the others are smugly secure. It's like the vehicle is testing you skills as an owner.

2. Use Technology

Many newer vehicles come with remote access apps that allow you to unlock your car from your phone. If your phone is not locked in the car (a small but important detail), this could save the day. Some apps allow you to unlock doors remotely, such as if your spouse is sitting comfortably at home, waiting for your urgent request to to unlock the vehicle from their phone. Other apps are set-up to help you to contact roadside assistance directly.

If you don’t have the app set up yet, consider this your reminder for next time—when you’re calm, indoors, and not glaring at your car.

3. Use Your Spare Key

If you have a spare key—congratulations, you planned ahead. Now comes the question: where is it? Did you plan ahead and leave it with a spouse, friend, or family member? Is it at home, perhaps on a hook somewhere? If the spare is accessible and help is close by, this is often the fastest and cheapest solution. If the spare is three states away, move on to other options.

4. Call A Roadside Assistance Service

Many drivers have roadside assistance available through one of the following?

    1. Auto insurance
    2. AAA
    3. Vehicle manufacturer (for recently purchased new vehicles)
    4. As a credit card benefit

A trained technician can unlock your car without damage, usually within 30–60 minutes. 

It is good to check into this in advance and know your options and which phone numbers to call. Many drivers are paying for roadside assistance even though they rarely if ever use it. Take advantage of what you paid for!

5. Call a Professional Locksmith

This is probably everyone's least favorite option, as it will cost more than roadside assistance. A licensed automotive locksmith can unlock vehicles safely, cut replacement keyus, and reprogram key fobs for many vehicle models.

In the aftermath of an annoying situation

Once you’re back in your car and your blood pressure returns to normal, you may want to write a reminder to do yourself one or more favors:

  1. Get a spare key.
  2. Set up your vehicle’s mobile app.
  3. Know your roadside assistance number.

Unfortunately, lockouts don’t happen when you’re relaxed at home. They happen when you’re late, hungry, and questioning your life choices.

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!

Why Learn to Drive a Vehicle with a Manual Transmission? 

Why Learn to Drive a Vehicle with a Manual Transmission? 

The experience of driving a vehicle like the Fiat 500 Abarth (shown above) with a manual transmission (stick shift) has practical and financial benefits, but it is also a lot of fun! Why? A vehicle with a manual transmission will enhance your driving experience. How? 

Better Vehicle Control

This vehicle will offer more precise control over power and speed, especially on hills, in snow, mud, or off-road conditions. This is due to direct driver control, better engine braking, ability to start in higher gears (like 2nd) to avoid wheelspin. You will have better vehicle control while slowing down if you choose the right gear for engine braking. This will reduce the wear and tear on the brakes and also improve your control of the vehicle when going downhill.

Improved Driving Skills

Driving a manual stick shift will give the driver a deeper understanding of how cars work (engine speed, torque, gears). When driving a manual vehicle, you will learn when to shift just by the sound and feel of the engine. This will give you a better driving experience and driver sympathy.

What is driver sympathy?  Driver sympathy, aka known as mechanical sympathy, is the intuitive understanding of how a vehicle's parts work and interact, allowing a driver to operate it smoothly and efficiently to maximize performance, longevity, and safety, rather than abusing it. Because of this, many drivers find manuals more engaging and rewarding and feel more connected to their vehicle.

Cost Advantages

Getting a rental car with a manual transmission is generally more affordable, especially outside the U.S. (for example, Europe, Asia, South America), where manual transmission vehicles are the standard and often the cheapest option. This is not the standard in the U.S., where manual vehicles can be harder to find when it comes to car rentals. 

Increased Employment Availability & Flexibility Around the World

Depending on the profession that you choose, some employers expect you to know how to drive a manual (stick shift) truck. Emergency services such as ambulance trucks might require you to know how to drive manually. Some fire/rescue trucks and agriculture tractors still use manual transmission vehicles because the combination of manual and diesel models offers better efficiency, control, and motor durability, and they are more useful for towing or carrying loads where control over torque is important.

In many countries, manual transmissions are more common, especially in foreign countries. So knowing how to drive a manual vehicle expands your travel and rental options around the world.

Performance & Special Use

Manual vehicles are still preferred for performance driving and motorsports, where gear choice matters. Manual transmissions remain popular in motorsports for driver engagement and control, found in many sports cars. These vehicles offer pure driving intensity and fun with precise shifting. Even in racing, some series mandate manual transmission vehicles, such as NASCAR, to maintain an element of traditional driver skill and control.

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!

Top 7 Things to Keep in Your Glove Compartment

Top 7 Things to Keep in Your Glove Compartment

Yep. It is often the vehicle version of your home's junk drawer. And, despite the name, gloves are probably not one of the top priorities for stocking your glove compartment. So what should you make sure to keep in that box? A few minutes of preparation with that little box can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a full-blown roadside saga.

  1. Paperwork. Your vehicle egistration, insurance, and any other required documents should live here permanently, not floating between cup holders or stuffed into a console abyss. When a police officer asks for them, that is not the moment you want to begin an archaeological dig through old receipts and fast-food napkins. 
  2. Owner's manual. This can come in especially handy if an ominous light suddenly appears on your dashboard.
  3. Pen and a small notepad. You might need to exchange information after a fender bender, jot down directions when your phone battery betrays you, or leave a note that says, “Sorry I tapped your bumper—please call me.” 
  4. Flashlight. Phones die, darkness happens, and trying to inspect a tire by the glow of your dashboard is not as effective as you might hope. A small flashlight can also help you locate that thing you dropped between the seats in 2019.
  5. Emergency items. A basic first-aid kit can handle everything from paper cuts to mystery scrapes acquired while wrestling groceries out of the trunk. Add a few bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers.
  6. Snacks. These may be controversional from a health standpoint, but they can be very practical when hunger strikes when you are in traffic or "in the middle of nowhere". Choose wisely. Granola bars or crackers may be good choices, while chocolate bars may melt in warm weather. Replace these occasionally. They are not meant to last forever.
  7. Tissues and wet wipes. These multipurpose friends can handle sneezes, spills, foggy windshields, and that moment when you realize your coffee lid was lying to you. They are the quiet overachievers of the glove compartment world.

You may also find old parking stubs, expired coupons, and a mystery key that opens absolutely nothing. Periodically cleaning out your glove compartment is a good reminder that preparedness beats clutter, and melted candy should never be part of an emergency plan.

In the end, the best glove compartment is one that’s organized, useful, and only slightly embarrassing when opened. If it can help you handle the unexpected without dumping its contents onto your lap, you’re doing it right.

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!

Top 4 Things to Check in your Vehicle's Emergency Kit When Seasons Change

Top 4 Things to Check in Your Vehicle’s Emergency Kit When Seasons Change

When preparing for the new driving season, it is always a good habit to prepare your emergency kit for the upcoming change of weather, according to your specific needs (or your family's needs). Seasonal weather changes that can dramatically affect road conditions and your safety. 

Tip: Set a reminder on your mobile phone at the start of each season (every 6 months). Reviewing your emergency kit will only take a few minutes and can make a big difference when you need your updated supply kit the most. 

1. Check Expiration Dates

Food and water: Replace any expired food or water bottles. Also, check for items that need to be replaced, like energy bars, canned goods, or trail mix, with fresh supplies to ensure safety and quality. 

Medications: These may include prescriptions, such as antihistamines for allergies, or over-the-counter pain relievers. Important: Keep medication in its original packaging and check the expiration dates every 6 months.

First-aid supplies: Replace used or outdated items. For example, antiseptic wipes could dry out. You may also want to tuck away an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses.

2. Inspect Batteries and Electronics

Test any flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps. Replace weak or dead batteries (since extreme hot and cold weather drains them faster).
Check to make sure you have portable phone chargers or power banks.

3. Update Weather-Specific Gear

Gear to have year-round: It is good to have windshield washer fluid, a first aid kit, a phone charger, a portable tire inflator, and jumper cables. Inspect your tow straps and/or emergency triangles for damage. Also, make sure that you have a spare tire, car jack, and lug wrench that are in good shape.

Winter: Make sure to carry an ice scraper, a snow brush, traction aids, hand warmers, and a heavy blanket. Some like to keep kitty litter or sand in their vehicle in case they need extra traction, such as if a vehicle gets stuck in the snow.

Summer/Spring/Autumn: You may wish to carry rain ponchos, windshield washer fluid, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen, cooling towels, and extra drinking water. Swap heavy blankets for lightweight ones (beach towels).

*For those with pets, don't forget the pet food, water, medication, and leashes. Even items like a dog bed and their favorite toy might help to make a road trip successful.

4. Organize and Clean Your Emergency Kit

Remove unnecessary items from the past season. Repack your kit so that the essentials are easy to find in an emergency. Have a copy of your ID or school ID and the numbers for your emergency contacts. You may also want to carry a list of allergies or medical conditions and a medical directive card                                                                                                                                                      

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!

January Is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month — How Can Drivers Help?

January Is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month — How Can Drivers Help?

Each January, communities across the United States recognize National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Since 2010, this observance has encouraged individuals, organizations, and industries to learn how to recognize and respond to human trafficking.

Understanding the Scope of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a crime in which individuals are exploited for labor or commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion. It can happen anywhere: in cities, suburbs, rural towns, and along highways—often in places that don’t immediately raise alarms.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, since its inception, the hotline has identified over 112,000 potential trafficking situations involving more than 218,000 victims across the U.S. In 2024 alone, nearly 32,000 signals were received, and nearly 12,000 cases were identified involving over 21,000 victims.

These numbers only reflect reported situations. Many experts agree that human trafficking is substantially underreported due to victims’ fear, isolation, language barriers, or lack of access to help.

What Should You Watch For?

As a driver, you briefly interact with many other drivers and their passengers. Your eyes and ears on the highways position you well to spot and report suspicious situations. While no single sign confirms trafficking, patterns that may raise concern include:

- Individuals who seem controlled — unable to speak for themselves, always accompanied by someone else, or fearful of authority.

- Signs of physical restraint, malnourishment, or poor living conditions.

- Frequent movement between locations at irregular hours.

- Groups of people who seem isolated, withdrawn, or lacking personal possessions.

- Vehicles or homes where people come and go on a tight schedule, especially at night.

How Can You Report What You See?

If you suspect human trafficking, it’s important to report it to trained professionals. Do not attempt to intervene directly.

- Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to 233733. This hotline operates 24/7, in over 200 languages, and can connect you with resources or relay information to law enforcement if appropriate.

- Call 911 if someone appears to be in immediate danger.

- You may also contact local law enforcement or the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423).

Potential trafficking situations are evaluated by trained responders who can take appropriate action while protecting victims and bystanders.

Your Compassion Matters

Human trafficking robs individuals of dignity, freedom, and safety— often in plain sight. Every person who speaks up, learns the signs, and shares their awareness brings us closer to dismantling exploitation and bringing justice to survivors. Act with courage when something doesn’t feel right.

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!

7 Famous Drive-Thrus and Drive-Ins

7 Famous Drive-Thrus and Drive-Ins

Let’s go back to a land before Starbucks became a daily fixture. The concept of drive-thru meals and services changed forever the way that traveler eat and drink. It was no longer necessary to park and enter a restaurant or a store, as drivers could just order what they wanted and have it handed to them through the driver’s side window. This reduced the time needed to stop for meals on long road trips. What are some of the more famous spots where you could drive through a bit of history?

  1. In-N-Out Burger – Baldwin Park, California

Original location: 13900 Francisquito Ave, Baldwin Park, California

This opened in 1948 as California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand. Drivers used a two-way speaker—revolutionary at the time. While the original location was demolished to make way for a freeway, a replica of the original location, functioning as a museum, exists at 13766 Francisquito Ave in Baldwin Park, where you can see original artifacts and the first menu.

  1. Oasis Drive-IN – 22 1/2 Argyle Street South,Caledonia, Ontario, Canada

Yep, they have drive-ins north of the border. This location is famous for likely being the first drive-in in Canada. It has been operating since 1927! Check your calendar before making the trek north, as it is only open seasonally from April to November.

  1. Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive in – Route 66 – Seligman, Arizona

This neon-soaked Route 66 icon was built in 1957. Enjoy the outrageous décor and quirky humor (“Sorry, we’re open!”) both in the signage and in the service. Customers have been asked if they want cheese on their cheeseburger. Others have asked for a straw and been given an actual straw.

  1. Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop – Springfield, Illinois

Need another stop along Route 66? This one claims to be the oldest drive-thru in the United States, opening in 1924. Their signature item is a "loose meat" sandwich of seasoned ground beef, not a patty, served on a bun with pickles and mustard.

  1. Sonic Drive-In – Shawnee, Oklahoma

The oldest operating Sonic Drive-In is generally considered the one in Stillwater, Oklahoma, which opened in 1958/1959 as the first franchised location and the first to bear the "Sonic" name after the original Shawnee Top Hat Drive-In changed its branding to Sonic. Sonic didn’t just serve cars — it served them fast, often with carhops on roller skates!

  1. McDonalds – Downey, California

The oldest operating McDonald's in the world is found in Downey, California (10207 Lakewood Blvd). It is the third McDonald's ever built, opened in 1953, and retains its original Googie architecture, neon sign with Speedee, and serves unique items like deep-fried apple pies, acting as a historic landmark and tourist spot.

  1. Whataburger – 6106 Cameron Road, Austin, Texas

This burger stand opened in 1950 in Corpus Christi with the goal of serving a burger that it took two hands to hold. They make each burger to order, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although the original location is no longer open, you can see an example of the original A-frame design in Austin, Texas.

We understand that many other favorites are not included here (e.g. A & W, Daily Queen, and White Castle), so feel free to explore, research, and start your own list.

These spots aren’t just places to eat — they’re living, breathing pieces of automotive and cultural history. From the early days of car culture in the 1920s to the blossoming fast-food boom of the 1950s and beyond, these drive-thrus capture something uniquely North American (and Canadian) about convenience, community, and classic comfort food.

Whether you’re planning a road trip or just want to savor a bit of nostalgia, these legendary drive-thrus are worth the detour.

Did you know that some cities do not allow drive thrus? For example, San Luis Obispo, a city on the central coast of California, banned drive-thru services in 1982, and that 40-year ban is still in effect!

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!

Road Rage—Staying Calm and Safe

Road Rage—Staying Calm and Safe

Here are a few suggestions for practical and appropriate ways to stay calm and safe if you encounter a situation where another driver is showing signs of road rage.

Take Immediate Steps to Ensure Your Safety

  1. Do not engage the angry driver! Do not make eye contact, gestures, yell, or respond to the other driver. 
  2. Do not escalate the situation using your vehicle. Don’t speed up to "prove a point”. Don’t block someone intentionally. Remember, their anger is about them, not you.
  3. Create distance. Let the other driver pass by, slowing down, changing lanes, or taking a different route if you can.
  4. Go to a safe place. If you feel threatened, it is a good idea to go to a busy store, police station, or well-lit area. 
  5. When you get to the safe place, and you decide to stop your vehicle, stay in it with the doors locked if someone approaches.
  6. Call for help (911 or local emergency number) if someone is continuing to follow or threatening you and your passengers. 

How Can You Stay calm?

  1. Breathe slowly. Breathe in for 4 seconds and hold, breathe out for 6 seconds and hold. Repeat this action a few times until your body is relaxed.  This will help you to calm down and think clearly.
  2. Decrease stimulation. Turn off or turn down the music in your car. If you need the music on while driving, make sure it is calming music, and on low volume. 
  3. Use calming self-talk. For example, say to yourself, “This driver isn’t worth it. Getting home safely matters more.”

After the Situation

  1. Shake it off. Go for a walk, stretch, or listen to calming music.
  2. If it still is bothering you, talk it out with someone you trust.

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!

New Drivers—Do You Know Parking Lot Etiquette?

New Drivers—Do You Know Parking Lot Etiquette? 

No doubt you have pulled into parking lots thousands of times as a passenger. But have you been paying attention to the basic manners that most drivers show in driving through the parking lot and pulling into a spot? The following may prove helpful in avoiding parking lot conflicts.

Drive Slowly and Be Alert

Parking lots are full of activity. All around you, you will see pedestrians, carts, and vehicles backing in and backing out of their parking spaces. Parents may be distracted while trying to load merchandise into their vehicle and putting their young children into car safety seats. Staying alert and driving slowly gives you time to react if needed. 

Pedestrians Always Have the Right-of-Way

You will see many people walking to and from their vehicles in parking lots. While driving, remember that pedestrians always have the right-of-way. Make sure to fully stop and be patient with the pedestrians ahead of you and nearby, especially near store entrances.

Follow Traffic Signs and Traffic Flow Arrows

  1. Always obey traffic signs and follow traffic flow by obeying the arrows on the pavement. 
  2. Treat intersections in parking lots as you would if traveling on a city street. 
  3. Always use your turn signal when turning or pulling into a parking spot. This helps other drivers and pedestrians to predict your movement, and this will prevent confusion for you and other drivers and pedestrians. 

Center Your Vehicle Between the Lines

Perhaps you have observed a parked vehicle taking up two spaces, or parked in such a way that it would be difficult to park in the adjoining spaces. You don't want to be "that guy"! What if you don't park centered between the parking lines? You can re-adjust your vehicle by pulling back out (make sure to check no one is coming). Then adjust the position of your and pull forward as you would normally park in the parking spot.  

Be Careful When Backing Out

  1. It is always best to turn around and face the back of your vehicle to check if anyone is driving or walking behind your vehicle. Then, check your rearview and side mirrors before backing out of your parking spot. Make sure to check your blind spots also. 
  2. Back up your vehicle slowly. Be prepared to stop if a pedestrian or another vehicle is approaching your vehicle.  

Don’t Block Parking Lot Lanes

If you’re waiting to pick up someone, it is best to pull into a parking space. Blocking traffic lanes can create vehicle backups or even collisions. 

Stay Calm and Be Patient

Parking lots can be very chaotic with so many people and vehicles in one concentrated area. Avoid honking aggressively or overreacting to other drivers' mistakes. Everyone is just trying to get in and out of the parking lot safely.

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!