Driving instruction for dummies

I make all attempts possible to develop communication that avoids obfuscatory messages; basically, this is because I work in an environment where 'clarity is king'.  We do have a handful of venerable trainers in the driving training industry which I have the utmost respect for, but I do believe there is so much room for improvement of training standards.

I appreciate that some readers who have read that opening will instinctively demur but give me a chance to explain why I believe we are in somewhat of a revolutionary phase for the giving of driving lessons.

I often have the pleasure of the company of driving instructors at test centres when our pupils go to test.  I hear their views, concerns and general chit chat.  Topics of discussion often involve frustrations encountered with pupils who drive so differently when on a test, near misses involving them; test routes, angry residents; examiners behaviour, style and affability; frequency of accidents, in-car dash cams, courtesy cars, bodywork garages; test availability, ease of booking.  I observe how the more experienced driving instructors listen surreptitiously with a sapient ear having heard it all before.

Apart from the benefit gained of having a moan with friendly folk around you, the value in these conversations is exiguous.

Feel free to call me a heretic, but I make no apology if my words develop a poignancy that stirs emotion in some readers.

The fact is that many driving instructors do not know how to help their pupils practice in a smart, effective manner.

This morning I put up a post on one of my business Facebook pages, targetted for learner driver pupils, and attempting to instigate thought.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Feel free to go and watch the video, but the words to accompany the video are:

Learning to drive presents many challenging situations that continuously crop up. Just like this one shown in the video. How we all assess risk and the decision making we do as a result is in itself a skill that takes practice. How would you deal with the following situation involving the cyclist?

I am encouraging any pupil who observes the video to put themselves in the situation as a driver, imagine what it must feel like, and consider quite literally how they would deal with it.  Driving is a practical activity where skills need refining by active practice.  You can't teach skills.

  

Driving instructors would do well to transfer more responsibility for learning outcomes on their pupils.  Instructors tend to dominate the learning environment in a way that inhibits the learning freedom for their pupil; this makes for a sad pupil.  For all the moaning that takes place in test centres by driving instructors about their pupil's competencies, they are creating thoroughly miserable learning environments for pupils.

Practice makes permanent.  Allow your pupil to take responsibility for how they practice.  ADI 1 states:

"The aim of the standards check is to let you assess the ADI's ability to instruct AND WHETHER THEIR INSTRUCTION HELPS A PERSON TO LEARN IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY"

6.3.3 of the National standard for driver and rider training states:

"....use a range of learner-centred techniques to SUPPORT THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF THE LEARNING PROCESS TO THE LEARNER"

Some techniques that driving instructors adopt will create a working relationship with pupils that is respectful, positive and is very clear where the responsibility lies for the learning outcomes.

If a reader of this blog, in a moment of reflection, worries that their egregious frustrations illuminate a lack of techniques in driving instruction then, good! There is so much benefit in having a pupil take responsibility for outcomes, and the same is very true for driving instructors.