It's very easy to blame the driver when you're supervising a learner driver
We are all very good at shouting at inexperienced drivers
"Didn't you see that lorry pulling out on the left?"
Well they didn't
And it's not their fault..it's inexperience
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Supervising and encouraging a new driver can be an extremely rewarding experience. It can also be a nightmare
One of the most fundamental errors that we as "experienced" drivers make is that we assume a new driver can drive...and really has seen the bus heading at them from the opposite
direction
- And we can't understand why they haven't seen it
- Well, chances are they haven't!
- And it's probably because they are still concentrating on the fundamentals of driving
What you and I do naturally...isn't natural to your new driver (yet). So getting cross isn't going to help
If you're going to supervise a learner driver... there are some basic points you should consider before you start
- Are you the right person?
- Are you correctly insured?
- Check with your insurance company
- You must be over 21 and held a full licence for the appropriate type of vehicle for at least 3 years
- If you hold a full licence for an automatic car you must not supervise someone who is learning with a manual gearbox
Can you cope?
- Supervising a new driver is never easy
- Road conditions and teaching methods have probably changed since you learned to drive
- The driving test is not the "pussy cat" you "think" you remember
Some do's...
- Do realise that your new driver doesn't have your experience
- Do read the Highway Code again before you start to supervise. (Yes, I know you read the Highway code 20 years ago)
- Do encourage your new driver to read the Highway Code as well
- Do expect your driver to make mistakes
- Do be ready to take evasive action
- Do stay calm
- Do anticipate
- Do be ready for the unexpected
- Do fit a rear view mirror so that you know what's going on behind
- Do remember you're helping to help the instructor
- Do remember that an instructor won't see the driver the same way as you
- Do remember you may not always agree with the instructor
- Do clearly display L plates on the front and back of the vehicle
- Do accept some responsibility for mistakes your driver makes
...and don'ts
- Don't keep telling your driver. "We're about to crash". They probably think the same when you're driving
- Don't get angry
- Don't assume
- Don't expect your driver to know how to deal with every problem. Do you?
- Don't blame your driver for a mistake, blame yourself
- You should have seen the problem FIRST!
- Don't get caught out. New drivers will take AT LEAST two seconds longer to spot a problem. It's not their fault. It's inexperience!
- Don't try to "re-write" the driving techniques of your new driver
- Don't see your driver through "rose coloured glasses"
- Don't display L plates if you are driving
And remember
- Whatever you say will be believed by your driver
- Think carefully before you over criticise another road users action
- Whatever you say, do or recommend will have a profound effect on your driver!
- You're helping shape their attitude to driving
- You carry a burden of responsibility
Finally, try and avoid being a driving instructor
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 If you're going to supervise a learner driver why not check some of the links on the left
Are you aware of the latest driving techniques?
Read the Highway Code again. It's changed a bit in the past 20 odd years
It's always good to remember that though "you can drive", it's a probability that you'd fail a driving test today
Keep in mind that an ADI has taken around 2 years to qualify and passed 3 very difficult tests
An ADI (once qualified) faces regular demanding check tests to remain an ADI
Trey not to undermine the good work your instructor has already done
Sadly, Driving Instructors make it look easy
Unsure? Contact me 
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