Private practice for Learner
Drivers
When learning to drive if its possible, practice when taken outside
of ordinary driving lessons can help increase confidence and skills,
and gives the learner driver an opportunity to drive in the presence
of different people in different situations. Learning to drive with
a family member or a friend can be a rewarding and useful
experience, but it can also be quite stressful. To achieve the most
out of the extra driving time it is vital that both the learner and
the family member or friend work together.
Due to the increase in traffic, a lot more is expected of both the
learner driver and the tutor in modern society. There are many more
road, signs, and speed limits, as well as many more cars than when
older drivers where learning. Learning to drive can be an
intimidating experience, and may well unnerve the assisting family
member or friend just as much.
Here is some advice for learners and their practice
partners to help both of you benefit from this experience.
Before you can help a learner, you must:
* Be over 21
* Must have been driving for a minimum of 3 years
* Have a full licence to drive a car
* Not be disqualified
The car that you are giving the driving lessons in must:
* Have a current road tax disc
* Insured for the learner driver
* Have a valid MOT certificate (if applicable)
* Roadworthy
Your Role
As the parent/friend/sibling etc of the learner driver, your role
primarily is to give them time to practice what they have learned,
providing guidance and instruction when they come unstuck. The point
to practicing with a family member is to give the learner as much
time behind the wheel as possible. What occurs in these practice
sessions should reinforce what has been covered by their driving
instructor.
It is very easy for a learner to pick up bad habits. Their attitude
will be reflected in their driving ability and their consideration
for other road users. So ensure that you express the correct levels
of attention, anticipation and courtesy that are required to create
a safe and competent driver. By setting a good example in attitude
you will pass on just as significant skills as well the technical
capabilities.
Progress check
Before you and your sibling start their driving if they're having
professional training,its important to find out what stage they have
reached in their training. You will need to know what they can
actually do, or not do without your help. For example, you would
seriously undermine their confidence if you allow them to drive in
heavy traffic if they haven't already got this experience. If you're
not sure what level of skill they have, then contact their trainer
for clarification.
Changing driving methods
As the supervising driving, it may have been many years since you
passed your own driving test. You should be aware that there have
been some changes to the driving methods needed today. One important
change, is the introduction of 'Block Changes'; it's no longer
necessary to change the gears down one-by-one, learners are now
encouraged to be selective. This means they will miss out gears
depending on the situation.
Other new introductions in recent years include the Bay Park and
Reverse Park manoeuvre. If the learner will be taking the test in
their own car, they will need to know some basic car maintenance,
such as how to check that the handbrake is working correctly. More
info here...
Keep bad habits in check
The longer it's been since you've passed your own test, the more
your driving deteriorates from that standard. It is important that
you don't pass these on. Bear in mind that when your child does pass
their test they may technically be a better driver than you.
Remember the important skills that examiners look for; always check
your mirrors, hold the steering wheel correctly, and always, always,
indicate where it would benefit another road user.
Plan the sessions
Together, plan where each driving practice will take you and what
manoeuvre's you may cover. In the beginning it is better to look for
large empty areas like car parks while the learner gets to grips
with the car. As they progress onto the road, choose quiet roads
first. Avoid taking the learner onto a busy road unless you know
they can cope.
Route planning
If the learner is capable of driving on main roads, try to avoid
using the same roads, as this will just get them familiar with that
route, for example, driving to work or school every day. The key
word is variety: The more the learner gets used to different types
of roads and hazards, the more confidence and skill they will get.
Take your time
The learner driver will inevitably be nervous, and no doubt so will
you. Build up the sessions gradually as you both increase in
confidence and get used to each other. Frequent, shorter sessions
can be more beneficial than longer sporadic ones.
Shouting
The biggest problem a parent can have helping to teach their child
to drive is talking to them naturally. Driving can be a tense
experience for the learner, and you want to do everything you can to
help them feel confident and in control, not like a naughty child.
Driving under the guidance of someone they know can put extra
pressure on the learner so be patient and positive. Don't nag, and
if you do feel like shouting, take a break. Tempers will not benefit
either of you and can undermine the learner's confidence. If you
start to feel bad tempered, then its time to ask your sibling to
pull over where safe and legal, and take a break.
Overwhelming the learner driver
Build up to different skills and manoeuvre's as the learner
progresses. Give them small tasks to deal with, depending on their
experience. A novice driver will be overwhelmed if they have too
many tasks to do. Making them practice and check everything at once
will only leave them bewildered and lead to frustration. Remember
that it is all quite new to them and to take things slowly.
Communication
When giving the learner driver instructions, make sure that they
understand exactly what you mean to avoid undue stress, and give the
driver plenty of time to consider and anticipate the next move. For
example, ask them to turn right after the traffic lights, as opposed
to saying “turn right now”. Bear in mind, that an inexperienced
driver can take up to 10 seconds to respond to your information.
Just telling them what to do
One of the most important tools for a trainer is what's called the
Question and Answer technique. For example, if the learner has made
a mistake, ask them what they think they did wrong before you point
out the fault. A learner driver will better understand the fault
when they've worked out it out for themselves rather than being
told. Try to keep any questions simple to answer. i.e., if they're
speeding in a certain area, ask them what they think the speed limit
is. It will keep them focused on their surroundings and aware of
their actions rather than tell them what the maximum speed limit is.
You should only tell them if they genuinely don't know. Try to avoid
asking questions in a busy area, as they will lose concentration.
Remaining vigilant
However well the lesson is going and how confident the learner
driver seems, they are still inexperienced on the road. They may not
be prepared for sudden changes and so you must be the second pair of
eyes. Be prepared for any unexpected actions, for instance taking
the wrong turn at a junction.
Necessary help
The amount of controls and settings in modern cars can be a little
confusing at first, especially as the learner is concentrating so
hard on the road. Help out if they get flustered if the windows mist
or if they forget to dip the lights, and go through the controls
again after the practice if required.
Watch out for some of the most common mistakes that new, and
particularly, young drivers make:
* Not slowing down in complex road situations
* Not looking around or using mirrors enough
* Overconfidence
After each driving practice, ensure that you spend time discussing
the positives and negatives of each session. Always encourage the
driver when they have done well, and allow them time to reflect on
the areas which didn't go as well. Don't clash with what the driving
instructor teaches; speak to their instructor and find out if the
learner has misinterpreted what the instructor said.
