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"I learned to drive in just 10 lessons and passed first time"

Unfortunately this is not a realistic view of modern driving.

The sheer volume of traffic, the complexity of junctions, the speed of traffic and other drivers’ lack of consideration, signals or basic understanding of the highway code make learning to drive extremely difficult for today’s learners.
Private practice for all pupils should be enjoyable as well as constructive.

Here are some tips to help make private practice more enjoyable and rewarding.

Supervising a Learner, The Law:

• You must be over 21 and have held a full licence for the category of vehicle for at least 3 years.
• The car must have insurance cover for the learner driver.
• The car must display L plates (to the correct legal standard) to the front and rear and should not restrict the driver’s vision through the windows.
• You or your learner must not use a mobile phone whilst driving..
• The supervising driver and the learner must not exceed the drink drive limits. So you can't use them to drive you home from the pub!

• Fit an additional suction mirror so you can see what’s going on behind you. Available at good car accessory shops for a few pounds. For example
Halfords
• Sit in the front seat and be ready to steer the car.
• Don't put yourself or your learner in a dangerous situation, plan out your route.
• Each lesson with an ADI is designed to develop independence in an area of the pupils driving
• Private practice should reflect the level of the pupils ability so that they can "practice".
• The supervising driver may need to drive the learner to the location , allow the practice then drive home again. I am happy to give guidance on what to practice and where to practice it.
• Modern cars should be driven differently to those of 20 years ago. As vehicles have evolved, the methods used to drive them have also evolved. (For example block gear changing up and down the gear box should be encouraged, where in the past this was not )
• Driving should be smooth and unhurried. You should be aiming towards a "limo ride" rather than a late night Friday taxi ride.
• These methods should reduce wear and tear and help improve fuel economy. The current DSA test reflects these methods.
  
  I am happy to discuss any aspect of the DSA test with supervising drivers to ensure that pupils gain the most benefit from their private practice.
  

Please see http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/roadsafety/trainingp/perfect.asp

to order a CD-ROM with a lot of relevant information for supervising drivers.

also http://www.helpingldrivers.com/index.htm

• Insurance cover for Learners
  

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