Driving Tips for Supervising Learner Drivers

We know what we’re talking about when it comes to educating learner drivers, we know that there are many things to be mindful of when letting them behind the wheel. So to help you prepare for this moment, we’ve put together a few handy tips to remember next time you get in the car with a learner driver…

Remember that every driver has to start somewhere. As nervous as you might feel, don’t forget that your learner driver is probably twice as nervous as you, so try to relax as much as possible or you may negatively affect their driving skills.

Try not to make excuses when your learner wants to practice e.g. we’re running late, it’s raining, getting dark, too much traffic etc.

Gaining a wide experience of different driving situations whilst on your L’s can be beneficial once progressing to your provisional licence.

Be patient, don’t raise your voice and stay calm.

Practice in ‘P’ plate situations whilst on your ‘L’s’

A good place to start is in a factory estate or quiet residential street. Make sure the learner driver is familiar with the car’s controls before starting driving.

Directing the learner in areas that they are not yet comfortable with will only create a learning block within the learner.

Try to be more of a coach than an instructor who takes the “do as I say” approach and just gives orders.

Coaches see their role as being a mentor and believe that safe driving skills develop through practice and experience. This allows the learner to develop skills through their own practice and experience with guidance and feedback.

A coach will ignore small things unless they are a clear safety risk and avoid being an expert and focus on the shared learning environment.

Just remember to become an expert driver it takes seven years or the equivalent of 10,000 hrs practice.