Getting private practice

 

Private practice - The best way to teach a learner driver

 

 

When learning to drive if its possible, practice when taken outside of ordinary driving lessons can help increase confidence and skill, 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 driving helper, 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 your 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.

Don't shout

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.

Don't take passengers

Not only will they put off the learner driver, but having someone in the back seat can restrict the learner's view when looking out the back of the car.

Don't overwhelm 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 is king

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.

Don't just tell 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.

Remain 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.

Help out were necessary

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.