Teaching. Not everyone’s forte. However, if you’re looking to teach a learner driver, there’s lots you’ll need to consider. Still, teaching a learner can often be an incredibly stressful experience.
However, this shouldn’t have to be the case. And, luckily, there are plenty of things you could consider to help you teach a learner driver more successfully.
In line with this, we’ve outlined some main things you should know about teaching a learner to drive. Hopefully, this will help you teach your new protege a little more easily. Teaching someone to drive can also be a rewarding experience, as you guide them towards independence.
With the right approach, you can make this journey less daunting for both you and your learner.
Top 10 Tips When Teaching to Drive
When teaching, there’s plenty to keep in mind. As part of this, the following points are well worth keeping in mind.
1. Ensure the Vehicle is Suitable
The car needs to be fully roadworthy and safe to drive. It also needs to display a learner’s plate while the learner is behind the wheel. It’s always important to run a car history check to ensure the vehicle has a valid MOT and road tax. The vehicle must have both when driving on UK roads, as it is illegal if it does not.
2. Check You’re Legally Allowed to Teach
One of the first things to check is whether you can legally teach a learner. Indeed, not just anyone is allowed to teach someone to drive. Critically, there are a few core requirements to teach a learner driver, such as:
- 25+ years old.
- Hold an active license for the type of car you’re teaching on.
- Meet minimum sight requirements.
- Have held your relevant driving license for three years or more.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that, legally, you cannot ask money to charge a learner unless you’re a licensed instructor. Individuals can only teach a learner driver to drive for free.
Your learner also needs to be able to drive legally. Namely, they need to be at least 17 years old; they must also hold their provisional license along with learner’s insurance.
3. Check Your Driving Knowledge
It’s easy for bad habits to slip in; unfortunately, if your learner picks up bad habits while driving with you, this could compromise their safety and test results. As such, it’s vital to brush up on road knowledge and driving techniques to ensure you’re teaching safely. This can also help ensure you’re following best practices while driving, too; so, it’s a win-win.
4. Prepare Routes Carefully
“Just wing it” is never a good approach when teaching a learner. Indeed, it’s easy for learners to panic when thrust into a situation that is busy or chaotic. As such, plan your routes based on the learner’s experience.
This helps ensure you won’t be putting them under too much pressure, while still allowing them to improve their skills.
5. Maintain Clear Communication
Always provide clear and concise instructions. Avoid using complicated jargon or giving instructions at the last minute, as this can confuse or stress the learner. Instead, calmly explain what’s expected and provide feedback after the action has been completed.
This approach not only helps the learner understand better but also builds their confidence behind the wheel.
6. Start with the Basics
Before hitting the road, make sure your learner understands the basics of driving. Go over the vehicle’s controls, explain the importance of seatbelt use, and ensure they are familiar with the dashboard indicators.
This preliminary knowledge will make them more comfortable once they start driving. Basic maneuvers like parking, turning, and reversing should also be practiced in a safe, low-pressure environment before moving on to busier roads.
7. Be Patient and Calm
Patience is crucial when teaching someone to drive. Learners are likely to make mistakes, and your reaction can significantly impact their learning experience. Maintain a calm demeanor, even if they make errors.
If they stall the car or take a wrong turn, use these moments as teaching opportunities rather than getting frustrated. A supportive approach will help the learner remain focused and more receptive to your guidance.
8. Introduce Complex Scenarios Gradually
Once your learner has mastered the basics, gradually introduce more complex driving scenarios, such as roundabouts, highways, and city driving. These environments can be overwhelming at first, so it’s important to build up to them gradually.
Start with less busy times of the day and gradually move to peak traffic times as their confidence and skills improve. This gradual exposure will help them develop the necessary experience to handle various driving situations.
9. Reinforce Defensive Driving Techniques
Teaching defensive driving is essential for ensuring the safety of your learner. Emphasize the importance of being aware of other drivers, anticipating potential hazards, and maintaining a safe following distance.
Encourage them to always be alert and to avoid distractions like mobile phones or eating while driving. These techniques not only help in passing the driving test but also in becoming a safer driver in the long run.
10. Review and Reflect After Each Lesson
After each driving session, take some time to review what went well and what needs improvement. Discuss any mistakes made during the lesson and how they can be avoided in the future.
Reflecting on the lesson helps reinforce learning and provides the learner with clear goals for the next session. This continuous feedback loop is key to building the learner’s confidence and skill level.
Final Thoughts
Learning to drive is a complex process. However, in many cases, the old adage – practice makes perfect – rings true in this regard. As such, for many learner drivers, taking some extra time outside of lessons to practice can really help.
But remember, you’ll need to follow all of the key rules and requirements to stay safe when teaching a learner. By following the tips outlined above, you can make the learning process smoother and more effective. Ultimately, your guidance can help shape a responsible and confident driver for life.
