As a trainee driving instructor you will be getting used to 'lists' by now. Here is another one for you that I would have dearly loved to have been shown when I was in your shoes.
There are some key essentials that you should be striving for your pupil to at the very least �understand�. I�m not suggesting that a pupil can�t drive without mastering the following, but it will affect how well they drive!
All round effective observations are required at ANY speed of the vehicle
The gas is needing to be set in order to prevent a stall
Picture in the mind a gear change BEFORE the left foot puts the clutch down
Observations when reversing involves literally turning the head right round as well as mirror checks
Situations develop that will have a consequence and accurately assessing the risk is a skill
A speed limit is not an instruction, drive to conditions not speed limits
Rush practising bay parking and you will regret it for the rest of your life
To identify which way to turn a steering wheel when reversing the eyes must physically look where the rear of the car needs to go � staring at mirrors will inevitably result in steering the wrong way
Limit the amount other road users are adversely affected by you to an absolute minimum
Safe driving demands constant attention � managing distractions is a skill
If the car is needing to stop, the clutch MUST go all the way down
Less vision � less speed � lower gears � slower lifting up of the clutch
The feet must control pace to enable the eyes to identify and assess hazards
Putting the handbrake on enables the right foot to get off the brake to then set the gas
It is the extent of lifting the clutch that dictates pace, not how much gas is set
Check a �new road� is clear to enter BEFORE steering into it
Understanding the BEST thing to do is more important than doing anything
The right foot (braking) often dictates how well a driver negotiates roundabouts � too fast on the approach and the eyes/hands simply can�t keep up
A good driver will give others plenty of warning of their intentions PRIOR to doing them
It is possible to judge how severe a bend is in the road BEFORE you get to it
Never drive faster than you instinctively feel comfortable with
Dangerous situations develop quicker on faster roads � anticipation is a skill
You and your environment will affect your driving behaviour
Do not look down at the gear lever before changing gear, it will affect your position in the road
On reversing manoeuvres the feet are quiet and the hands are busy
Position trumps everything
From a standstill, when you enter a roundabout, don�t delay with a 1-2 gear change
A poorly timed observation is as bad as no observation at all
Changing from 2nd to 3rd gear requires no sideways pressure at all � the gear lever is spring loaded
The condition of a vehicle will impact on safety � they do not look after themselves
Unless the clutch goes fully down, the vehicle will continue to �drive� in the gear it is in � if you are unsure where to park, you MUST put the clutch down or the vehicle will just keep on driving
Driving is a physical activity with practical consequences; events change fast and others WILL do unexpected things
If the car stalls, it will be for a reason
Don�t do blind-spot checks when the vehicle is travelling at high speeds
If you think a signal is needed, put a signal on, if you think the lights need to be on, put them on
A heavy right foot is an insult to your passengers
Oh��.. and put the phone in the glovebox
Tom Ingram provides payg training to trainee driving instructors 0775 607 1464
http://drivinginstructortraining.bigtom.org.uk/
http://drivinginstructortraining.bigtom.org.uk/
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