by Rebecca Saunders
It is essential that Supervising Drivers consider the important skills and requirements needed to Instruct a Learner Driver. Helping someone to learn to drive is a serious responsibility and it's necessary to ensure the Learners safety.
Ensure that you comply at all times with traffic lights, signs, and road markings.
Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.
Look well ahead and check 'blind spots'/vision obstruction.
Drive at a suitable speed to suit the conditions.
Make sure you are patient with other road users.
Respond to hazards.
It can be overwhelming for Learner Drivers to take that first step behind the wheel. encourage your learner by communicating advice clearly and effectively, be patient and calm as your Learner will depend on your support and guidance to help them become a safe and skilled driver.
If either you or the learner driver is tired, upset, or stressed, reschedule the practice session to another time.
Try frequent, short practice sessions at the beginning
Use the Learner Driver Log Book task key points as a guide to practice.
Avoid using the radio, mobile phone, or talking to other passengers while your learner is practicing.
Discuss then demonstrate new tasks before asking your learner to attempt them
Start the learner practicing on quiet streets, preferably in daylight, before moving onto busier roads and more challenging conditions.
Allow the learner to proceed at their own pace - don't force them to attempt tasks they're not ready for
Begin with the simple tasks then, once your learner has mastered those, move on to more difficult tasks
Don't criticise mistakes. Calmly explain and discuss what happened and allow the learner to try again.
Most importantly be positive and offer praise when the learner successfully completes a task.
These simple tips will help to give your Learner the confidence to become a safe and competent driver but it is highly recommended initially that Learners take professional lessons in a vehicle fitted with dual controls to ensure their safety.Onroad Driving School provides professional lessons with qualified instructors 7 days a week. Contact us and get started today.