Here's another 'list' for you

As a trainee driving instructor you will be getting used to 'lists' by now.  Here is another one for you that I would have dearly loved to have been shown when I was in your shoes.

There are some key essentials that you should be striving for your pupil to at the very least ‘understand’.  I’m not suggesting that a pupil can’t drive without mastering the following, but it will affect how well they drive!

All round effective observations are required at ANY speed of the vehicle

The gas is needing to be set in order to prevent a stall

Picture in the mind a gear change BEFORE the left foot puts the clutch down

Observations when reversing involves literally turning the head right round as well as mirror checks

Situations develop that will have a consequence and accurately assessing the risk is a skill

A speed limit is not an instruction, drive to conditions not speed limits

Rush practising bay parking and you will regret it for the rest of your life

To identify which way to turn a steering wheel when reversing the eyes must physically look where the rear of the car needs to go – staring at mirrors will inevitably result in steering the wrong way

Limit the amount other road users are adversely affected by you to an absolute minimum

Safe driving demands constant attention – managing distractions is a skill

If the car is needing to stop, the clutch MUST go all the way down

Less vision – less speed – lower gears – slower lifting up of the clutch

The feet must control pace to enable the eyes to identify and assess hazards

Putting the handbrake on enables the right foot to get off the brake to then set the gas

It is the extent of lifting the clutch that dictates pace, not how much gas is set

Check a ‘new road’ is clear to enter BEFORE steering into it

Understanding the BEST thing to do is more important than doing anything

The right foot (braking) often dictates how well a driver negotiates roundabouts – too fast on the approach and the eyes/hands simply can’t keep up

A good driver will give others plenty of warning of their intentions PRIOR to doing them

It is possible to judge how severe a bend is in the road BEFORE you get to it

Never drive faster than you instinctively feel comfortable with

Dangerous situations develop quicker on faster roads – anticipation is a skill

You and your environment will affect your driving behaviour

Do not look down at the gear lever before changing gear, it will affect your position in the road

On reversing manoeuvres the feet are quiet and the hands are busy

Position trumps everything

From a standstill, when you enter a roundabout, don’t delay with a 1-2 gear change

A poorly timed observation is as bad as no observation at all

Changing from 2^nd to 3^rd gear requires no sideways pressure at all – the gear lever is spring loaded

The condition of a vehicle will impact on safety – they do not look after themselves

Unless the clutch goes fully down, the vehicle will continue to ‘drive’ in the gear it is in – if you are unsure where to park, you MUST put the clutch down or the vehicle will just keep on driving

Driving is a physical activity with practical consequences; events change fast and others WILL do unexpected things

If the car stalls, it will be for a reason

Don’t do blind-spot checks when the vehicle is travelling at high speeds

If you think a signal is needed, put a signal on, if you think the lights need to be on, put them on

A heavy right foot is an insult to your passengers

Oh…….. and put the phone in the glovebox

Tom Ingram provides payg training to trainee driving instructors 0775 607 1464
http://drivinginstructortraining.bigtom.org.uk/