When an error has occurred, the best way to restore confidence is to repeat the action without the learner driver repeating the error. To guarantee success, the driving instructor must take full responsibility – even if you are on the way to the driving test centre when the error occurs!. All the driving instructor has to do is “tell” the learner driver when the error is about to occur – which is usually long enough for the confidence to be restored.

A fairly wide selection of planned routes containing various types of traffic
hazards and conditions will be required. Flexibility is an impotant consideration
when planning a route because it allows for changes to be made midway through a
driving lesson. This may become necessary to allow more time to be spent on an area
of driving which may be proving unexpectedly troublesome, and yet still allow the
driving lesson to be completed on time for your next appointment or driving test.
Try not to repeat the same route excessively, this can lead to reducesd interest
from the learner driver, and this can lead to boredom and slow progress. Repetition
can be useful when it is carried out deliberately for a specific purpose relevant to
the driving lesson. An example could be practising control skills on the approach to
uphill junctions.

Training routes and areas fall into three main categories:

1. Nursery routes
2. Intermediate
3. Advanced

Nursery routes – require various kinds of roads. try to avoid busy roads and
initially, in the very early stages, roads with parked vehicles. These routes should
not include pedestrian crossings, traffic lights or roundabouts.

Intermediate routes – These routes should, wherever possible, be planned to avoid
dual carriageways, multi-laned roads and one way streets. Junctions which do not
conform to basic rules should also be excluded. Right turns on to very busy main
roads, and any other particularly difficult situation, should not normally be
incorporated into these routes where they can be avoided.

Advanced routes – These routes will incorporate most of the intermediate routes.
They should be progressively extended to include many variations to the basic rules
as possible.

The nature of driving instruction requires that driving instructors work with
customers who may drive you up the wall (not literally!). regardless of whether your
customer is offhand, rude, frustrated, confused or irate, most minor problems do not
have to escalate into bad feelings.

The six steps in helping a customer are:

1. Let the pupil have their say
2. Avoid getting trapped with their negative feelings
3. Express empathy with the pupil
4. Begin to solve problems actively
5. Agree on solutions
6. Continue to check they are satisfied with progress so far.

When a learner driver is upset, they want two things: First, they want to let you
know how they feel, and then they want you to help them. It’s that simple. Some
driving instructors view learners becoming tense and frustrated as an indication of
the pupils inability to understand basic facts. However trying to resolve a
situation without listening to your pupils thoughts and feelings never works. Only
after the pupil has let you know their thoughts can they begin to hear what you have
to say.

Try it and see!

“The roads would be much safer if everyone drove how they were taught.”

Surepass Driving School offers Driving Instructor Training Courses, once you have qualified as a Driving Instructor, you can take out a franchise and start your own business.

If somebody wants to learn to drive safely it is important they learn from a highly trained driving instructor, someone who is teaching people to drive on a daily basis and is used to seeing all the mistakes a pupil can make. As a driving instructor you give the pupil confidence by being patient when mistakes are being made. Over a period of time the pupil will stop relying on you telling them what to do and start to drive with less and less instruction.

When the pupil can drive for 30 minutes without any help from you – they are ready for the driving test. Some people say driving instructors are happy when a pupil fails the driving test, because pupil will have to pay more money for more driving lessons and as a result it is more money for the driving instructor. This is Nonsense! The driving instructor builds a bond with a pupil and they are just as upset as the pupil. Most driving instructors feel if the pupil fails – then they have failed also. The joy a driving instructor feels when the pupil passes is very rewarding and stays with him for a long time afterwards.

Passing the driving test is a life changing experience for most pupils, everyone remembers their driving instructor. Many pupils still remain in contact with their instructor long after passing the test.

So if you become a driving instructor, you will not only have a well-paid rewarding job, but your circle of friends will increase. Think about it!!!