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It's
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 "experienced" drivers make is we assume
a new driver can drive...and really has seen the bus heading
towards 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. So getting annoyed 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
- You are responsible for any driving offences committed by your driver whilst you are
supervising
- Run a red light and you get the points too
- Talking on your mobile whilst supervising your driver also
earns you points on your licence
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
vaguely 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
- 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
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