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Developing your learner’s skills with them
How to work with your learner to develop safe driving behaviours.
In this topic
How your learner can apply safe driving behaviours
Sharing your experience with your learner
Your changing role as a supervisor
When to take over driving
How to help your learner have a great learning experience
Tips for post-drive discussions
How your learner can apply safe driving behaviours
Some examples of safe driving behaviours are to:
- Drive at a speed safe for the conditions.
- Use mirrors correctly.
- Look well ahead for hazards and respond early.
- Keep a safe distance from other road users.
- Obey the road signs.
- Manage distractions.
- Avoid driving under stress.
- Be in the right frame of mind when you drive.
If you need a refresh on any of these topics, then check out stage one.
Sharing your experience with your learner.
When you take your learner on a drive be ready to give them guidance based on your experience.
Unlike you, they don’t have the years of experience to be able to deal with the many things that can happen on a drive.
Concentrate on what your learner is doing and be alert to what’s happening around the vehicle.
They’re relying on you to be their second pair of eyes, so always be one step ahead of what they’re doing.
Find out how to manage your emotions if you feel them getting out of control on a drive.
Lots of support
In stage one, you will need to provide your learner with lots of support.
When to take over
In the early stages, your learner will need a lot of support and you may need to take over the driving from time to time.
For example, if you’re driving in a low-traffic area and the traffic becomes unusually heavy, then you may feel it’s a good time to take over.
You can try and minimise your need to take over by talking with your learner about how they’re going and planning drives that match their experience level.
If you're unable to take over the drive, then you can:
- Give them more verbal support, but remember to be constructive rather than just negative.
- Pull over in a safe location to talk with your learner about the situation.
Your learner needs lots of guidance and support to develop safe driving behaviours.
How to help your learner have a great learning experience
When you take your learner on a drive, you need to do more than just direct them.
To give them a learning experience that's more than you directing them, you should:
- Ask questions that encourage conversation and help them develop their skills in decision making.
- Listen and observe closely to work out your learner's progress and what they need to practise.
- Give constructive and positive feedback before, during and after a drive.
Get more supervising tips.
Need more help?
Get more tips for post-drive discussions.