Are you checking for key signs?

One of the most common questions I get asked from people who are considering a career change to join the BIG TOM driving school franchise is: "What's it like being a driving instructor?"

It is a good question because there is no stock answer to give to that.  I like working with people rather than machines.  The reason why that appeals to me mainly is that it is unwise to make assumptions about pupils.

When working with a pupil, you have no idea initially how things are going to go.  Many variables potentially affect how our pupil will get on.

It is a learning environment, and while mistakes can and will happen, sometimes pupils put a great deal of pressure on their shoulders by having unrealistic expectations of their ability to improve.  They could be receiving some undesirable pressures from parents or friends to pass their driving test as soon as possible.  

I have noticed the shifting of ground regarding mental health over the last few years when it comes to particularly younger pupils.   Pupils can present themselves with deep-seated confidence issues.  Some struggle with focus and attention to detail and recalling information.  Also on the increase is communication barriers where pupils struggle to either articulate their thoughts or lack the practice of formulating ideas based around inner beliefs.

Recently I was asked: "How do I know if an oncoming vehicle that is turning right, will actually wait for me to pass?"

It might seem on the face of it a pretty natural, ordinary, perhaps even standard type of question.  But in my experience, this kind of engagement is rare and like gold dust.  Why do I say that?

The pupil concerned is personalising the experience of driving.  It demonstrates an understanding that road safety is not only their responsibility but also involves all other road users abiding by the 'rules of the road'.

The nature of the question is searching for clues, checking for understanding, enquiring about attitudes.  Unfortunately, far too often, pupils are seemingly struggling to answer any questions that delve into these subjects; let alone ask them.

Clues that all is not well include:

Lack of eye contact
De-personalising of thoughts and attitudes
Quiet or mumbling verbal responses
An unwillingness to speak about any subjects at all
Tiredness
Apathy to engagement in discussions
Apparent detachment to the responsibility for outcomes in the training session
Nervousness or agitation
Frequent deep sighs
Long stares or numbed emotions

Ultimately our pupils are our customers, and ideally, we want our pupils to enjoy their experiences when training, but it is worth looking out for signs that all is not well.  

Can your pupil imagine them one day passing their driving test?  How do they physically and emotionally feel while driving around with you?  Can they verbally describe a sequence of driving actions needed for a specific driving goal such as turning right from major to minor road or a manoeuvre?  Do they demonstrate an ability to recall information?  Are they willing to attempt to describe why they drove in a particular manner? 

When assessment slips in to assistance

How driving test examiners assess candidates can, at times, be quite puzzling.  Let me give you this real example that I observed.

On the driving test, the candidate is pulled over to the side of the road a few times, more if the examiner spots an error and wants to ascertain if it is habitual.

My pupil was pulled over on a busy road.  Tailbacks were coming back from a mini roundabout up ahead.  So we had slow moving traffic to our right.  After about a minute (seems like a short time, but in the test environment, feels quite long), the examiner steps in and recommends my pupil put on a 'requesting signal' in the hope that some kind soul will let us out.  'Requesting signals' by the way is covered by me in my training as it is an essential skill for dealing with day to day driving congestion.

Having complied with the examiner regarding the signal, my pupil then fails to spot a driver letting her out.  The examiner intervenes, again, and tells her to move off, which she does.  Interestingly, she does a full blindspot check to her right immediately after the examiner stated that a driver was letting her out.

Later in the test, another pullover, and no blindspot check on a quiet road.

It is promptly followed by another in the next street, with no blindspot check. 

So by now, we have 3 moving off's, 2 of which have no blindspot check, and one that was prompted by a verbal intervention from the examiner.

My pupil also moves on to a roundabout with a big white van doing a U-turn, and makes the van slow as a result.

Back at the test centre, my pupil reversed three quarters into the bay, stops, handbrake on.  The examiner tells her to go back a few more feet.

Result?  Pass.

He then tells her off for lack of blindspot checks and pulling out in front of the van.

Waving goodbye to Waveney

And good riddance to them!

It's that time of the year again - renewal of driving instructor car insurance.  So my accident-free stretch continues for another year.  That is now ten years of being a driving instructor and never having an accident, a fact which I am quite proud.

Waveney was quoting me £470.70 to maintain the cover with the same provider (it was £417.80 last year).  If I was happy to have a reduced benefit where the under 17 driving training on private land was taken off, then another provider with Waveney could offer £433.72

How they sleep at night, I do not know.  

Anyway, ring around.  BG Insurance (01892 501852) have provided the same benefits as my previous cover, with the under 17 driving training cover for £385.  That is near on £100 cheaper than Waveney.  May not seem much for one instructor, but multiply that big fat profit by the thousands of driving instructors that Waveney fleece every year, and you are talking significant figures.

Power to the people, vote with your feet, take affirmative action and stop getting fleeced by Waveney.  Just call BG and ask for Harry - he's on our side folks.

Yes, but why?

When you loosen the wheel nuts to change a wheel, do you loosen them before putting the car on the jack or after?

When you do a chin to shoulder observation for an overtake on a dual carriageway, do you do it before moving into the lane or while?

When you brake for a country road bend, do you brake while steering on the bend, or before the bend?

And ask why.

It's one thing knowing the theoretical answer to a question, but quite another to understand the rationale behind it.  If your pupil gets an answer correct, ask them why.... it might make you a little less likely to assume they are on the same page as you.