Supervising a Learner Driver

By Ronak

Articles

Supervising a learner

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.

recommended tips

When Instructing a learner driver you must hold a current full Australian driver license – not a learner or provisional license.
It's important that the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for you, while you are supervising a learner, is under 0.05 - It is also illegal to supervise under the influence of drugs.
Learner drivers need to record their practical experience in a logbook. They can choose to use either a paper logbook or a digital app.
As the supervising driver, it is required that you mark off the learner's progress against a range of key tasks listed in their logbook. (Both the book and app include instructions on how to do this.)
Make sure you are a competent driver and have a good understanding of the associated road rules; It is also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the current road rules by reading the Road Users handbook and further understand the content and learning goals by reviewing the Learner Driver Log Book.

comply

Ensure that you comply at all times with traffic lights, signs, and road markings.

leave space

Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.

look ahead

Look well ahead and check 'blind spots'/vision obstruction.

watch your speed

Drive at a suitable speed to suit the conditions.

be patient

Make sure you are patient with other road users.

respond

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.

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reschedule

If either you or the learner driver is tired, upset, or stressed, reschedule the practice session to another time.

short and sweet

Try frequent, short practice sessions at the beginning

practice

Use the Learner Driver Log Book task key points as a guide to practice.

avoid distractions

Avoid using the radio, mobile phone, or talking to other passengers while your learner is practicing.

discuss & demonstrate

Discuss then demonstrate new tasks before asking your learner to attempt them

start slow

Start the learner practicing on quiet streets, preferably in daylight, before moving onto busier roads and more challenging conditions.

Slow and Steady

Allow the learner to proceed at their own pace - don't force them to attempt tasks they're not ready for

simple is key

Begin with the simple tasks then, once your learner has mastered those, move on to more difficult tasks

stay calm

Don't criticise mistakes. Calmly explain and discuss what happened and allow the learner to try again.

be positive

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.

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