Client Centred Driving Lessons Nottingham

November 3, 2023 Russ Chaplin Leave a comment

What are Client Centred Driving Lessons?

I enjoy working to develop my client centred teaching skills. I find it a challenge and it makes for more enjoyable and rewarding driving lessons both for me and my pupils. I like to keep a diary so I can track my progress and see which areas I need to work on. But what does this mean for my pupils?

CCL is a style of teaching that puts my pupils at the heart of the lesson. It means that I listen to you and work with you to see how you learn best, how you go about helping you solve your driving problems and letting you progress at your own pace.

Everyone is unique when it comes to learning to drive and prefer different styles of learning, as well as progressing at different speeds. Perhaps you are someone who likes to take things away and think about them. If that’s the case I won’t be pushing you to progress too quickly. If you are the sort of person who likes to learn by giving it a try and seeing what happens then that’s fine. I’ll be keeping an eye out to make sure we stay safe.

In my client centred learning lessons I always take into account the pupil’s learning style. If you learn in a style that you enjoy and you’re encouraged to think about things then you will remember what you learned and become a safe and skillful driver after passing your test. By taking responsibility for your learning you will understand how you drive, what effects your driving and will keep developing your skills for the rest of your life.

Client centred learning is an approach that I use increasingly in all my lessons. It’s a way of teaching learner drivers that puts the focus on the pupil, as the following core principles show:

I will actively listen to what you think is getting in the way of your learning, so I’ll be in a good position to help you achieve your goals.
We will work together to help you achieve your own goals so you can learn and develop skills and knowledge through practical driver training.
I always treat my pupils with respect and try to create a good learning environment which is comfortable for both of us..
By encouraging you to evaluate your driving as we go along you’ll gain a greater sense of responsibility for your own driving.

As I have over 20 years experience in driving instruction I have come to prefer the client centred learning lessons over the traditional teaching methods. I like to think it makes safe drivers for life rather than just getting you through your test. I find that my pupils prefer it too. It makes for more proactive lessons and adds a bit of variety. That’s how I do it as one of the driving instructors Nottingham area.

I Love Teaching Driving

February 2, 2017 Russ Chaplin Leave a comment

Love driving lessons in Nottingham — We all love learning to drive in Nottingham

Teaching people to drive in Nottingham is such a great job to do. Every day I get to meet interesting people from all walks of life. There is never a dull moment when you work as a driving instructor. Learning to drive can be a real journey for both me and my pupils. People are generally quite nervous in the beginning. Don’t worry, this is all perfectly normal. There would definitely be something wrong if you didn’t feel a few nerves the first time you got behind the wheel of a car. Those nerves will soon disappear as you begin to enjoy the feeling of making your way on the road. I like to progress at a pace that you can handle without too much stress. Everyone is different and it’s great to get to know a new pupil and work with them to find out how they best like to learn. Driving lessons should be enjoyable so I like to maintain a friendly atmosphere during lessons. We won’t waste time but there certainly won’t be any rushing ahead and giving you more than you can handle. There’s nothing worse than a driving instructor who get’s too pushy. Many of my pupils have challenging careers themselves or are busy studying hard at university so can handle a good amount of challenge but we never try to overdo it. I like to use a Skoda Fabia as my training car. I’ve had 5 in a row now. It’s super friendly to drive. Nice easy to handle controls and a seat that actually does fit all sizes. I’ve had tiny pupils and people well over six feet tall in the car and all are seated comfortably. You don’t want a car that’s too big to handle but nobody wants to be cramped up in a toy car. I find the Skoda to be just right. I always use a petrol engine car as I find Diesel cars tend to pull around corners too quick without using the accelerator and generally vibrate too much. I use a manual gearbox as well. It’s better to have a manual licence as you can then drive automatics as well after your test if you prefer. Gives you the best of both worlds. I get a real sense of satisfaction when people pass their driving test. Not everyone passes first time. Sometimes nerves get the better of them on the day and they need to try again. This is nothing to worry about. It just means a bit more time and extra cost. As you will be driving for many years a few more extra lessons is never a bad thing. What I can promise is that you will be fully prepared when the day comes and you will be fine on the road when you have passed. Everybody gets there in the end. Sometimes I will see past pupils out on the road driving their own cars and that always gives me a good feeling. When you have passed your test you could always try a bit of motorway driving before you take the plunge yourself. You could do it as part of the pass plus course or just do a couple of hours to get used to motorways. I often do refresher driving lessons for people who have not driven for a while and have just got a new car. Sometimes people learned to drive in a quiet town and need to get up to speed on the busy streets of Nottingham. There’s always something different in my working day. After fourteen years I am still going strong and look forward to my work each day. Driving instruction is certainly the job for me! love driving lessons Nottingham love driving instructors Nottingham

Are You Seated Comfortably When Driving?

April 6, 2014 Russ Chaplin Leave a comment

Take control during driving lessons in Nottingham

One of the first things a new pupil is taught by Nottingham driving instructors is how to set the driving position for optimum comfort and safety. This is something perhaps forgotten after the test as you can see so many experienced drivers who do not pay attention to their seating position. They will often strain themselves to reach the pedals or sit too close to the wheel. Let’s have a look at a few things to consider before you turn on the engine and move off.

First thing to look at is the clothes you are wearing. So many pupils get into the car and keep their coat on. Yes, it may be cold outside but the car is heated and soon you will be too warm. Many times we have pulled over to allow the learner to take off coats and jumpers. If you were on a motorway you may have to sit there boiling before you got the chance, so make yourself comfortable before you start. I think some nervous drivers feel more protected if they keep a large coat on. It may protect you in a crash, but not much.

Footwear is the other big thing. In a learner it can make a huge difference when it comes to clutch control. You don’t want the soles too thick or you can’t feel the pedal movement. Too thin and you may have trouble pushing the pedals down. Make sure they are not too loose or tight and that they aren’t flip flops. These have got to be the worst shoes for driving.

Next comes the seating position. Car seats have a pretty wide range of movement nowadays to accommodate the tallest to the shortest people. It’s important that you adjust things correctly as poor posture can cause aches and pains particularly in the lower back and can effect your level of awareness on long journeys, putting you at risk while driving. You need to be a distance from the pedals which allows you to fully press down the clutch pedal without reaching too far or locking your knee. If you have to reach then chances are you won’t press the clutch all the way down and will grind the gears. If your knees are locked and you have even a moderate collision you stand a bigger chance of breaking your leg. If your leg is bent it will just fold in a crash. If you are driving an automatic check you can press the brake or accelerator without reaching. Sitting too far forward can hinder movement and trap your legs under the wheel.

Shorter people will benefit from raising the height of the seat. This will give you a better view of the road ahead and also the dials on the dashboard. As the seat tilts forward as it is raised it allows for better reach of the pedals. The seatbelt anchorage point can also be lowered so the seatbelt fits correctly over the shoulder and across the chest. With the seat too low the seat belt can cut into your neck.

Nottingham driving instructors do it while sitting comfortably!

Alter the rake of the seat, that means the degree of backward tilt, so it supports your weight and doesn’t have you leaning too far back or hunched over the wheel. New learners tend to have the seat tilted too far back and then pull themselves forward using the wheel. This causes wobbly steering and is sometimes a sign of nerves. Remember the head restraint is just that and not a head rest. One pupil I had recently could not help but force his head back against the head restraint by pushing against the wheel with his arms. Not a good posture at all. You can’t move your head properly to look to the side.

A guy I gave instructor training to was involved in a car accident. He was hit from behind by a car moving at speed. He had checked his mirror and saw that he was going to be hit. The mistake he made was to brace himself by locking his arms and gripping the wheel tightly. He suffered serious damage to his wrists on impact. This is one good reason not to lock your arms when driving. When the arms are extended then the inside of your wrists should touch the wheel. They will then have a bend in them when the wheel is gripped properly allowing for more accurate steering. In the event of a crash the arms will bend and the seatbelt will prevent you from being propelled forward.

Once the seat has been set you may need to adjust the steering wheel to finish things off. If you’ve got long legs like me then you may have the seat quite far back and low down. To prevent reaching for the wheel, flip the lever and pull the wheel out towards you. It can also be raised or lowered. Don’t have the steering wheel too close to your chest. There can be the risk of injury if the air bag goes off. You need a distance of at least 12 inches between you and the steering wheel for the air bag to do it’s job. When you have the position you want just flip the lever back and make sure it locks back into place.

There you have it. Take a bit of time before your next drive to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Happy motoring to you.

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Do You Believe You’re at Risk When Driving?

February 15, 2014 Russ Chaplin 1 Comment

Lessons in driving and life.

I remember when I was a fresh new driver. No, I honestly do remember. I thought that accidents would never happen to me. I truly believed my driving was absolutely tip top and there was nothing to worry about. This was in the Eighties. Back then the driving test was nowhere near as difficult as it is now because driving was not as difficult. The roads were simpler, cars were slower and there weren’t nearly as many drivers on the road as there are today.

So, what puts today’s young motorist at risk? Many things. Speeding and racing are two factors. Young drivers enjoying the thrill of acceleration and daydreaming they’re a racing pro make things unsafe. You should never drive in a spirit of competition unless you are actually on a race track. Using a mobile phone at the wheel is another one. When you look around and see just about everyone else doing it then it’s easy to think it’s alright for you. Easy to believe that it’s ok because it’s generally accepted. It isn’t and neither is texting at traffic lights. Yes, I’m looking at you.

Looking for that certain track on your CD is another good one. While your twiddling the knobs and looking at the display you’re not watching the road. The car travels a surprisingly long way in the few seconds it takes you to select the track you like. It’s easy to have a lazy, carefree attitude when you’re comfortable and the sounds are on.

Not really looking ahead for hazards is my personal bug bear. Staring at the next 30m of road you see over the bonnet simply won’t cut it. Look as far ahead as you can and move those eyes around to take everything in. Train yourself to do this especially at night. There are fewer cars on the road at night but things are easily missed until it’s too late. Get yourself some glasses if you think you need them.

Research shows that young drivers believe that they are less at risk of negative driving experiences than more experienced drivers. Probably because it hasn’t happened yet. I couldn’t believe my first prang. How could this happen to me? The benefits of taking a risk such as saving time or enjoying the excitement outweigh the risk factors more in new drivers. Life is long and getting somewhere a couple of minutes later won’t make much difference. If you’ve got to be on time then make sure you set off early enough.

It’s all about the right attitude when you’re in the driver’s seat.

I believed I was one of the truly great drivers when I first started. Over estimating your own abilities can be deadly. Truth is you are not an expert. Thinking you can control the traffic situation is a common misunderstanding. You should never put yourself in a position where your safety relies on someone else. Try to anticipate what will happen next based on what you can see. Not on what you believe another driver will do. Never drive faster than you are comfortable with as your car control skills will take a certain length of time to develop.

‘You learn to drive when you’ve passed your test’ is a common myth. The stuff your driving instructor taught you is not something to just forget once you have your licence. Personal experience does count for a lot in driving. When you have just started out on your own you don’t have that experience. Remember what you learned during your driving lessons and put it into practice. Everything else will develop in time. Forget what you’ve been taught and the risk factor is sky high. This is a reason for the high accident rate amongst young drivers and leads to penalty points on your driving licence.

Driving is such a personal experience.

People tend to drive according to their personality. The driver who is all me me me will be the one jumping from lane to lane trying to force their way to the front of the queue. A disregard for authority in general makes breaking the rules of the road seem much less of a risk than it is. The safe driver will exercise self control and a regard for the safety of others. This will be shown in their driving style. The hot head who doesn’t take any kind of responsibility for their actions in life is someone to avoid out there on the road.

So there. Try not to over estimate your abilities and think you have some magical aura which protects you from harm. Be a nice person to those around you. Peer pressure to do the wrong thing can be hard to resist, but resist you must. Set a good example and others will learn from you. Keep it safe and smooth.

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12 Ways to Get Penalty Points on Your Driving Licence

February 2, 2014 Russ Chaplin Leave a comment

You don’t want to get banned from driving.

You can lose your driving licence for totting up more than 12 points in a given time period. If you have passed your test recently after taking driving lessons in Nottingham then you are given a probationary period of 2 years from the day you passed your test. Introduced in 1995 and commonly known as the six point rule, a person can lose their licence for gaining 6 points within this period. If you had points on your provisional license then these will be carried over on to your full licence, giving you even less points to play with. Here are 12 ways to fall foul of the points system.

Breaking the speed limit is one of the most common reasons people lose their licence. You’ll get three points and a fine of £100. Make sure you look ahead and see the speed limit signs. Check your speedometer regularly using tiny glances to keep a check on your speed. If you go to court to contest the offence and you are in the wrong the points could be doubled to six and you can be fined up to £1000
Fail to stop at a pedestrian crossing and it could be 3 points and a fine of up to £1000. This would most likely occur at a Zebra crossing where there aren’t any traffic lights. Make sure you scan the crossing as you drive up to it and slow down early if there is someone near it. Make sure you stop if you think someone may intend to cross.
Using a mobile phone while driving is so common these days. Way too many drivers can be seen on the phone, not even trying to hide what they are doing. If caught using a phone at the wheel you’ll get 3 points and a £100 fine. Not good. You will almost certainly go to jail if you crash while texting and kill someone. Make sure your phone is on silent and pull over in a safe place if you need to use it.
Dangerous overtaking is another way to get points. You might think it’s OK to overtake and then run out of space very quickly if you misjudged it. Always plan the whole manoeuvre in advance. You’ll need enough time to get around the vehicle and return to your own side without breaking the speed limit. Overtaking dangerously is considered as driving without due care and attention. It could get you 3 – 9 points and a fine of up to £2500.
The cost of insurance has sky-rocketed in the last few years. It’s tempting to put off getting insurance if you have a relatively cheap car which doesn’t cost as much as the premium. The consequences are serious for driving without insurance. A fine of up to £5000 and 6 – 8 points. You could also be banned indefinitely and be forced to retake both the theory and practical test.
Drink and drug driving is perhaps the most serious of all these offences. People are killed or seriously injured by drivers under the influence. You will get a guaranteed 12 month ban. You can also be jailed for up to 6 months and fined £5000. Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking or you’ve taken anything. Simple as that. This is not something you want to mess with.
Failing to stop after an accident is another serious offence. If you have been involved in an accident you MUST stop. Even if you think it’s not that serious and nobody seems to have been hurt. If someone has been injured then you will need to give your details and report the accident at a police station. If you don’t do this then you could be banned from driving. You will also get 5 – 10 points and a fine of up to £5000.
Defective tyres is an easy one to fall foul of if you’re not careful. Check regularly to make sure they have enough tread. Especially on the inside edges which can be hard to see. The legal minimum is 1.6mm. If they are not inflated properly, are damaged or just plain bald you can be fined £2500 and get 3 points for each tyre. Tyres are your only contact with the road so keep them in good condition.
Driving through a red light. It’s tempting to get your foot down at the amber traffic light and get through the junction before it turns red. This is to be avoided. It can potentially lead to some serious crashes if you misjudge it and go through the red light. If you are caught, possibly by the red light camera, it is a guaranteed 3 points and a £100 fine.
Not in proper control of the vehicle. This can happen in so many ways. Anything which distracts you from the driving task and causes you to lose control falls into this category. Common causes are eating, drinking and smoking which mean you don’t have a proper grip of the steering wheel. Also using a phone or looking at a laptop will take your attention from the road. Make sure you give full attention to your driving at all times otherwise you could get 3 points on your license and a £100 fine.
If your car is over three years old then it needs a current MOT pass certificate. If you don’t have a valid MOT then you could be fined £1000. No MOT means that your car insurance is not valid which will mean that you are committing the offence of having no insurance as well. Keep up to date with this. It’s easy to forget.
No driving license is the last thing on our list. You will have 3 – 6 points put on your license when you do get one and be fined £1000. If you are driving while disqualified then you could face a 6 month prison term, £5000 fine and be banned indefinitely. Make sure you are properly licensed to drive. If you have a provisional licence then make sure you are accompanied when driving.

There you are. Keep up to date with all your documents, remember what your local driving instructor in Nottingham taught you and you’ll be OK. Happy motoring!

How Does Music Affect The Way You Drive?

January 28, 2014 Russ Chaplin Leave a comment

It is possible for music to change a person’s mood and demeanour? The emotional connections we make with songs can have a range of effects from bringing back old memories to getting our hearts racing. It is therefore important to consider how this can impact on the way we drive.
Dr David Ireland who lectures in music psychology at the University of Leeds believes there is a strong relationship between listening to music and concentration levels. This relationship however, is not necessarily a negative one. There can be both positive and negative impacts of listening to music, depending on the characteristics of a given song.

Driven to distraction
The two key aspects that determine what the impact of what you are listening too will be are the tempo and volume. If volume and tempo are high the music will “influence our arousal levels”. The consequences of this heightened sense of arousal can be erratic and bullish driving.
The potential for music to distract a driver is also important to remember. Research has shown that more energetic music is more distracting to drivers. This can be particularly dangerous when in difficult driving conditions as you may already be at the limits of concentration.
Young drivers have shown to be more susceptible to distraction when their favourite songs begin playing. The study, carried out by Dr Warren Brodsky and researcher Zack Slor stated that:
“As they get drawn-in by a song, they move from an extra-personal space involving driving tasks, to a more personal space of active music listening.”
This particular study found that a staggering 98% of young drivers involved made mistakes while driving and listening to their favourite song.

Easy listening
The news isn’t all bad, and the message here isn’t “don’t listen to music”. Research carried out by Dr Simon Moore at London Metropolitan University found that listening to calmer music can actually aid concentration and potentially make you a better driver. By listening to music that has a tempo that closely matches a human’s heart rate you can avoid the potential distraction music could cause. Songs that have between 60 and 80 beats per minute are considered the safest to listen to while driving so are ideal listening when in your car; take a look at the playlist below for some inspiration.

About the Author
Mychal Whittle is a professional writer and driving enthusiast working on behalf of Chaucer Direct. Car insurance provider for safe drivers.

A Guide to Off Road Driving

January 25, 2014 Russ Chaplin Leave a comment

There are times when you will need to veer of the tarmac and drive a car on rough roads and murky waters. It is for this reason that off-road vehicles were designed. Northside driving schools gives their students instructions on how to drive safely and properly on rough terrain. However, before you drive off the pavement, here are a few tips for off-road driving for every possible road and season.

Know your vehicle

There are a number of vehicles that are specifically designed for off-road driving. A lot of manufacturers boast about all the things that their vehicles can do. However, before driving on rough roads, it is important for the driver to know their vehicle’s capabilities and limits. This is because even the best off-road vehicles are not immune to everything. Always check the vehicle before driving on rough terrain to ensure that it will serve you well. Also, read the manufacturer’s manual and follow their instructions on how to handle the car on rough roads. It is also important to know the height and the width of the vehicle before driving with it off-road.

Know your terrain

Off road driving involves driving on snow, rough roads, sand and even mud. A driver should know the type of terrain that they will drive on before venturing off the road. My driving school often gives instructions on the basics of off-road driving on different types of roads. There are also a lot of terrain-specific tips that will guide the driver when driving off-road. The driver should get maps of the area that they will be driving through. They should also ask about the weather conditions for the specific day that they intend to drive on the rough roads so that harsh weather does not catch them by surprise.

Do not travel alone

Anyone who ventures on tough terrain is advised to travel with someone who can help them whenever they get stuck. The driving partner will share the experience as well as provide a helping hand in situations where the vehicle needs to be pushed out of a tough spot. You could also choose to travel in separate cars, but always keep a close distance. This way, one driver can help to tow the stuck driver, or to advise them on how to drive out of the sticky situation.

Learn how to drive off-road

Driving off-road is very different from driving on smooth tarmac. The driver should learn the tricks of manoeuvring through slippery surfaces, as well as the tips for climbing and descending steep slopes. They should also learn the tricks of how to transverse a slope, how to cross ridges and how to cross ditches. Different gears are engaged in each situation, and it is always important to know all of this information before heading off road.

Off road driving is both challenging and exhilarating. However, it is always important for the driver to follow this guide, or else they may end up ruining their car, or worse, getting stuck alone in the middle of nowhere.

About the Author

Mark Long is a very passionate researcher and writer. He has researched and written on a number of topics, especially driving guides from my driving school and Northside driving schools. He is always happy to share the tips and guidelines in his various articles.

What Makes a Good Driver?

January 24, 2014 Russ Chaplin Leave a comment

Take a positive approach

So you’ve finally got your driving licence. You have passed the theory test to show that you have a good knowledge of the rules of the road. You’ve taken driving lessons in Nottingham and passed the practical test which shows you can handle a car and apply what you have learned to your everyday driving. However, there are other things which help define the good driver.

One of the most important factors is your overall attitude. An aggressive attitude will add to the stress of driving and make you more of a danger to yourself and those around you. Driving decisions will be rushed and you are more likely to display a poor attitude towards other motorists, perhaps becoming confrontational. By keeping a relaxed and positive attitude you will enjoy the pleasure of motoring and interact with other drivers in a much safer manner..

As a driver you are also responsible for the safety of your passengers. When it comes to wearing a seatbelt, you will be legally responsible for anyone under the age of 14 and must insure that they are safely strapped in. The way in which you drive will effect the comfort and safety of your passengers. Some people are nervous when being driven around and others may tend to be car sick. If you have a driving style that involves lots of harsh acceleration and braking then they aren’t going to have a good time. A smooth, well planned drive will keep everyone much happier

It’s essential that you are tolerant towards other drivers. If you are driving a car it’s all too easy to become angry towards cyclists and other slow moving vehicles. Keep calm and give them plenty of space. People make mistakes and always will so tolerance is a must. Letting others know you are angry by driving closely and trying to force them out of the way is a very dangerous game. Don’t forget that you will make driving mistakes like we all do and you wouldn’t want to be punished for them. Take a lenient attitude towards the mistakes of others and hopefully they’ll do the same for you.

Practice these qualities during driving lessons.

When it comes to Concentration, young drivers seem to be particularly vulnerable. As we become bored with a task the mind naturally drifts off. This can be seen when the traffic lights turn green and the lead driver is sat there staring into space until someone gives them a honk of the horn. Try to stay with it. If you are feeling tired or unwell then levels of concentration will be naturally lower. This is made worse if you are taking medication. A disciplined approach to driving will help keep you actively interested and enhance your ability to concentrate for longer periods.

You need to pay attention to what is happening all around so you can anticipate what may happen next. Poor observations make a driver who only reacts at the very last second. Stay one step ahead by constantly asking yourself what might happen next and planning for the unexpected. This way you will not be surprised. Remember, surprise is a hallmark of the poorly planned drive..

All these driver qualities are underpinned by the virtue of patience. If you don’t show patience then all the other things which make a good driver are more or less impossible. Combining all the above qualities will help you to become a top level driver. Getting a lift in your car will become a pleasure. Other drivers will look at you with respect and admiration. You know it’s true.

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Feeling The Pressure on Driving Lessons

January 3, 2014 Russ Chaplin Leave a comment

Other drivers aren’t out to get you

It’s always surprising how the performance of some people taking driving lessons can differ from one area to another. Many pupils who have mastered the art of moving off and stopping in a quiet area can suddenly start to have difficulty as soon as there is more traffic around. Even learners who are good at moving off uphill and at an angle can become serial stallers as soon as we leave the quiet estate and enter the traffic flow. This can also happen when you are driving accompanied by a friend or relative.

The car controls stay the same wherever you are. It doesn’t matter whether you are in the middle of nowhere or there are a million cars behind you, the clutch movement remains exactly the same. Your skill levels will not suddenly drop. You will be as good on a busy road as you are on a quiet street. So what’s the problem?

Imagined pressure from other drivers effects most learners at one point or another. Picturing the person behind getting really annoyed at being held up can reduce a learner to a gibbering wreck. It’s so easy to start mind reading other drivers and imagining the worst. In the vast majority of cases there is no truth in this at all. Nearly all drivers will happily wait a few seconds for you to move off so take your time. You’ll always get the odd one who becomes impatient but that’s life.

Trust your driving instructor. No-one is out to get you.

Remember it takes a lot longer to rush, stall the engine, restart the engine and go than it does to move off once at a speed you can manage. Don’t let the tension build at a red light. Check the rear view mirror and you’ll see the driver behind is probably staring into space or picking their nose. Knowing they are not staring you down will go a long way to putting you at ease.

Imagined pressure from behind can also effect decision making. Particularly when emerging at junctions or when confronted by the yellow box at a crossroads. Make sure you wait at T junctions for a gap you are comfortable with. Remember you have every right to be on the road and being a learner doesn’t mean you have to get out of everybody else’s way. If you move out in front of other traffic the person behind won’t be responsible .

Always make sure you can clear the yellow box junction. The pressure you feel to go across is nothing to what you’ll feel if you end up stuck in the junction when the lights change and you’re blocking traffic from the other direction. In this case other drivers might well glare at you. Take it easy.

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Get Some Driving Done

December 30, 2013 Russ Chaplin Leave a comment

Just be careful who you do it with.

If you’re taking driving lessons it can help to speed you along towards your test if you get some practice with family or friends. A lot of my pupils have mates who promise that they will go out for a drive to help them along. When it comes round to actually going out on the road the excuses pile up and nothing actually happens. It makes me laugh a bit but you know what people are like.

A while ago I saw these two lads in a car and you could tell that one was trying to teach the other to drive. The guy playing instructor looked well proud giving out the advice as the car bounced along the road, swerving all over the place. Were they displaying L plates to the front and rear of the vehicle? Of course not. I would be very surprised if they made it back to base without some sort of incident.

Just to recap, the person who accompanies a learner driver must be at least 21 years of age and held a licence for 3 years. Having had a licence for 3 years is no guarantee that the person has had a lot of driving experience and is in a position to teach you how to drive. You’ve got to be careful who you go out on the road with. Another thing to check is that you are actually insured to drive the vehicle. Remember that failure to display L plates will invalidate any insurance.

Listen to your friendly driving instructor.

Parents are notorious for teaching bad habits. Unintentionally I dare say. It’s just that they may not have had any further driver training since they passed their test some time in the eighties. I passed mine in the eighties and things have changed a lot since then. It’s good to get time on the road but if your instructor says one thing and your parents say another then it’s probably the instructor that’s correct.

Use of the mirrors is one of the main things missed during private practice. The accompanying driver rarely seems to have their own rear view mirror which shows how much importance they put on them. Very dangerous if the person supervising can’t see what’s behind. Lack of dual controls can make the person accompanying the driver a bit nervy. All they’ve got is the handbrake to yank at if things go wrong.

That said, there can be great benefits to gaining private practice in between lessons. It’s better to do it in the later stages of learning when you have covered the entire syllabus. Make sure the person you are with has a good amount of road experience and enough knowledge of the basics to correct mistakes and help you build up your confidence.
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Russ Chaplin Driving Lessons Nottingham