Driver Education Research & Innovation Center Project

The Driver Education Research and Innovation Center (DERIC) Project provides free, standardized driver education resources to help reduce crashes and produce safer teen drivers in New York State. The DERIC curriculum was developed by teen driving safety, teen behavior, driver education, and curriculum development experts through a partnership between the New York State Departments of Health, Motor Vehicles, and Education, as well as the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

“In Class” resources include classroom presentations, lesson plans, activities, and assessments. “In Car” resources include a sample lesson plans, driving skills checklists, and activities for student observers. Materials are broken down by unit and organized by in-class and in-car resources. Access materials by using the dropdown menus below.

DERIC Curriculum Units

Hours 1-6 with (4) 90-minute sessions

In Class

All Unit 1 in class lesson plans, activities, and assessments.

Sample Presentations

In Car

All Unit 1 in car lesson plans, driving skills checklists, and activities for student observers.

Hours 7-12 with (4) 90-minute sessions

In Class

All Unit 2 in class lesson plans, activities, and assessments.

Sample Presentations

In Car

All Unit 2 in car lesson plans, driving skills checklists, and activities for student observers.

Hours 13-16 with (4) 90-minute sessions

In Class

All Unit 3 in class lesson plans, activities, and assessments.

Sample Presentations

In Car

All Unit 3 in car lesson plans, driving skills checklists, and activities for student observers.

Hours 17-24 with (4) 90-minute sessions

In Class

All Unit 4 in class lesson plans, activities, and assessments.

Sample Presentations
  • Session 13: Emergency Response and Recovery (PPT Template)
  • Session 14: Owning, Insuring, and Maintaining a Vehicle (PPT Template)
  • Session 15: Trip Planning and Navigation (PPT Template)

In Car

All Unit 4 in car lesson plans, driving skills checklists, and activities for student observers.

Bonus In Car: Mock Road Test

About DERIC Curriculum Development

    The DERIC curriculum was developed and pilot tested by teen driving safety, teen behavior, driver education, and curriculum development experts to:

    • measure short-term changes in student knowledge related to the session content;
    • help to determine whether the information is understandable and effectively presented by the instructors;
    • and allow instructors an opportunity to provide their feedback.

Additional Resources