Supervisor Checklist
Congratulations! Your kid is all grown up, has their L plates, and is ready to learn the rules of the road. And who is going to teach them? You!
Gulp… Teaching your kids how to drive can be hugely rewarding, but it can also be stressful and confusing. After all, you’ve been driving for years, but teaching someone to drive is a different thing entirely. Don’t worry, though; we’re here to help. This article will give you some pointers on how you can prepare for this journey.
What does the supervisor do?
We recommend that learner drivers get some lessons with a qualified driving instructor first to get started. There is a great government program called Keys2drive that gives drivers and supervisors a free driving lesson with a qualified instructor. The purpose of this lesson is not only for the learner to get some of the practical tips down, but also for the supervisor to get some perspective on how best to support the learner.
To ensure that you’re being the most effective supervisor possible, it’s important to do the following:
Learners get better and develop their skills by having the time to do so. You need to find the time to ensure they feel confident in handling a range of different situations and conditions.
Often a learner will have the best idea about what they need to improve. Talk to them about what this is, and plan a session around their needs. Before you head out, plan where you are going to drive and discuss what conditions you may encounter.
Ask your learner what they did well and what they need to work on. When giving feedback, try to wait until your learner has stopped driving. Remember, the best learning happens in a positive environment.
Lead by example. Your learner sees you drive, which means they’ll pick up your habits. Make sure they’re good ones.
Learning to drive can be stressful, and sometimes your learner will feel like they’re not making any progress. By keeping track of what they’ve learnt, your learner will appreciate how far they’ve come.
Even though its best if a professional instructor handles the bulk of the technical instruction, there are still some things your learner will still need your help with. These include:
- Understanding the brakes, mirrors, indicators, gears, warning lights, and steering wheel.
- Using and changing gears. We recommend going to a quiet, unobstructed area to tackle this. Smooth gear changing can take time to master.
- Understanding how the car moves and responds to the driver. This is important for when the learner is ready to tackle maneuvers such as roundabouts, traffic lights, parking, reversing, lane changing and right turns.
Here’s some final simple tips for you on being the best teacher you can be:
- Be as prepared as possible.
- Give your learner the chance to get as wide a range of experience as possible.
- Be a great role model.