Home
Resources

Check my pre-drive habits: The 20 second safety check

Safety Behind the Wheel Foundationdrivewithcare.org

Last reviewed: October 4, 2026

A teen driver, buckled in, with both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road

Click here to sign up for our newsletter to get updates.

Donate Resources

Self-check from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation

Your Information

Name * Email *

46. You are only driving a few minutes to a nearby store, school, practice, or a friend’s house.

What are you most likely to do?

A. Buckle up before the car moves, even for a short drive. B. Buckle up most of the time, but I may forget if I am in a rush. C. Buckle up once I am already moving. D. Skip it if the drive is short or familiar. E. I do not think about seat belts much when I am driving nearby.

47. You are ready to drive, but one passenger has not put on their seat belt. They say, “Relax, it’s not far.”

What would you most likely do?

A. Say, “I’m not moving until everyone is buckled.” B. Remind them and wait until they buckle. C. Remind them, but I might start driving if they keep pushing back. D. Let it go if the ride is short or slow. E. I usually do not check whether passengers are buckled.

48. You get in the car and are about to leave. You are running a little late.

What do you most likely notice before pulling out?

A. Seat, mirrors, fuel/range, dashboard warnings, lights, and anything unusual. B. Mirrors and dashboard warnings, but not much else unless something feels off. C. I check quickly only if I am driving somewhere far or unfamiliar. D. I usually just start driving and deal with issues if they come up. E. I rarely notice vehicle issues unless the car is clearly not working.

49. You are about to leave and notice a low tire-pressure warning or a tire that looks slightly low.

What would you most likely do?

A. Check it before driving or ask someone to help before leaving. B. Drive only if necessary and plan to check it soon. C. Keep driving if the car still feels normal. D. Ignore it unless the tire looks really bad. E. I would not know what to do, so I would probably keep driving.

50. A dashboard warning light comes on, or you notice the brakes, tires, headlights, or wipers are not working right. You still need to get somewhere.

What are you most likely to do?

A. Stop and check it or ask an adult/mechanic before driving further. B. Drive only if it seems safe and get it checked as soon as possible. C. Keep driving if the car seems mostly normal. D. Keep driving unless the problem gets worse. E. Warning lights or small car problems usually do not change my plans.

51. Your vehicle has features like blind spot alerts, lane warnings, backup camera, automatic braking, or stability control.

Which statement sounds most like you?

A. I know which features the vehicle has, but I still drive like I am fully responsible. B. I know some features and use them as backup, not a replacement for attention. C. I am not totally sure what safety features the vehicle has. D. I rely on the features to catch things I might miss. E. I assume newer cars can protect me from most mistakes.

52. You borrow or switch to a vehicle you do not usually drive. The seat, mirrors, controls, blind spots, and brakes feel different.

What do you most likely do?

A. Take a minute to adjust everything and get familiar before driving. B. Adjust mirrors and seat, then drive carefully until I get used to it. C. Start driving and figure it out as I go. D. Drive normally because most cars are basically the same. E. I do not usually think about vehicle differences.

⏱️ Safety education impact:

People reached 1,320

Keep learning

Safe Driving Resource Center

Guides, self-checks and articles for drivers, parents of new drivers, and families recovering after a crash.

Browse all resources

A parent kneels beside a young child at the curb next to the family car.

Contact us
Partner with us

Join the movement

Volunteer with us
Be a force for safety
Join our newsletter and get updates
Support our mission. Your support matters
Honor a life. Help protect others.

Terms and policies

Disclaimer and terms of use
Privacy policy & donor privacy policy
Policy on endorsements and partnerships
Accessibility statement
Non-discrimination policy

“Safer Roads Now” provides educational information and community resources. We do not provide emergency, medical, legal, mental health, or professional clinical services. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or contact the appropriate emergency service immediately