OmegaDrive

Some advice to experienced drivers on accompanying a Learner.

Before you finally decide to take on the responsibility of accompanying a learner driver there are a number of factors you may find it useful to consider.

Legal Obligations

Anyone who supervises a learner driver must have held a full GB licence for the category being supervised for at least 3 years and be over 21 years of age. It is the learner's responsibility to check. An offence against the regulations carries a penalty of a £400 fine, discretionary disqualification or two penalty points. (Check current penalties)

"L" plates of the regulation size, must be clearly visible within a reasonable distance from the front and rear of the vehicle, which should be removed when the vehicle is being driven by a full licence holder (except for a qualified driving instructor). They should be fixed to the outside of the vehicle on as near a vertical surface as possible and must not restrict visibility through any window.

Your Own Driving

The person you accompany will, in all probability, attempt to copy the way you drive, if not while learning then after passing the test.
Nearly all of us have bad habits when driving – some more than others!
If you wish to avoid causing the learner problems, it is essential you take a look at your own driving and ensure that you still keep to the rules and follow the correct procedures. For example;

• what does the say about drivers using ?
• what is expected about effective ?

Changes to Techniques

Depending on how long ago you learnt to drive, you may find that I have taught the learner a different technique or procedure from the one you learnt and probably always used.

Advances in technology have to some extent changed experts’ views on the safest way to control a car in certain situations.  Should your driving technique change to ensure your continued safety?

If you have any doubts or worries, feel free to discuss these with me.  I will be happy to explain the reasons behind any differences.

You are likely to cause the learner considerable confusion if you start to argue with them or insist they do something your way especially over changing down through the gears when approaching a turning or roundabout. Inevitably, the learner will try to drive exactly as I have taught them.

Patience

Any Driving Instructor will tell you that helping someone who is learning to drive can be frustrating and requires you to exercise considerable patience.
No two people learn at the same pace – some will master the controls with ease others may take many hours of practice.
Tension will nearly always slow a learner’s progress, as will negative criticism that knocks their confidence.

Remember . . .

	Be positive
	Offer encouragement
	Praise even small achievements
	DON’T SHOUT - anticipate a hazard
	Show patience with other road users – they may not allow for the fact that the car is being driven by a learner driver.
	Be prepared to act early to prevent danger developing.
	Give directions clearly and with plenty of warning in order to give the learner time to react safely.