Coaching a Learner Driver

The next part is for the person that is going to supervise you during your driving. Probably worth a read so that you understand how the process should be working. This looks quite long but it is very important.

Before we get into coaching

It is worth having a read through the following page about eligibility to supervise a learner driver, it is important to have a read as no doubt some of it will be new to you. The bit where you will roll your eyes is with having to read the highway code, but given it might be 20 years since you took your test and the laws have changed there will be something new to learn.

Instruction

At first you will provide instructions to your driver, how to operate the clutch, how to use the clutch and the brake at the same time, as the basics are established this will need to give way to coaching.

You are not in the car to provide instructions, in theory you aren't allowed as (I am assuming) you are not a qualified driving instructor.

You are there to coach and support the driver. What's the difference? Let's get started.

First let's take a look at instructing someone, which if we are honest, can be the quickest way to achieve a goal. Probably not the right goal but it can be quick. Example - You are driving a route and you tell the driver - "Ok we are half a mile from the T-junction check your mirrors to see if someone is behind you, ok start to brake now, ok indicate now, put the car into 1st gear, it is clear now, ok go". Great today you have mastered T-junctions???

Question - What happens when you are not there? The first time you will not be there is either in a paid lesson or worse the driving test. All of a sudden you are gone, no instructions on when to indicate and no instructions on when to turn.

Definitions

Before we get into some more examples let have a look at a couple of definitions:

Coaching

Definition: Coaching is a dynamic process that involves asking rather than telling. It empowers individuals to explore their own insights, take ownership of their learning, and drive their personal development.

Methodology: Coaches facilitate self-awareness, encourage reflection, and guide learners toward their goals. They use open-ended questions to stimulate thinking and promote growth.

There are two key elements to coaching -  awareness and responsibility

Awareness: By making the driver more aware of what is going on with the car, the road and the surroundings they can learn and develop their skills to match. As we progress into the lessons we will discuss techniques like prepare, observe, manoeuvre (POM for short). You can ask questions that will make them think.

Responsibility: By giving instructions, you are taking away responsibility from the driver. If someone is responsible for their actions they are invested in the outcome. Remember the last time you were told how to do something by a partner/spouse/anyone, ever felt that if it goes wrong it is all their fault. Through asking questions you make it the drivers responsibility.

Learning: so we have waffled on about coaching but so what? The key is to accelerate learning. The more times the driver learns by the themselves the better. In the section on {what to do in-between lessons} you will be learning from other people's mistakes. Every time you give instructions you remove an opportunity for learning.

The voice of coaching - Language, tone and volume are key. It can be tricky to remain calm, especially if it is the 5th time the driver has stalled the car at a junction, panic causes more panic. Shouting doesn't help either, even if it is the driver shouting at you. Sentences such as "It's ok, just reset and go again," can be helpful.

I have nearly finished I promise, but before we move on to something practical lets take a look at two short exchanges, I say exchanges one is more of a one-way street.

Jason - Right we are going to be approaching a round about in half a mile.

Agnes - Ok

Jason - You need to be slowing down now

Agnes - Ok

Jason - You want to be in the right lane.

Indicate now

Ok braking now

No, we want to be all the way over to the far right

Watch out for the car

The car has now stopped at the roundabout

No, don't go yet

Now, go now

The car pulls on to the roundabout

Stick to the middle, watch out for cars, indicate, not now,  ok now, watch out, ok accelerate up to 40.

Now let's consider the following

Jason - We have a turning coming up we want to follow signs to Croydon.

Agnes  - Ok

Jason - What does the sign mean?

Agnes - It's a roundabout

Jason - Which exit was Croydon?

Agnes - The 3rd

Jason -  Which lane do you need to be in?

Agnes - The right.

Jason -  Ok, so when it is safe to do so make your way across. What do you need to remember?

Agnes - Mirrors, signal, manoeuvre .

Jason -  Good, what about at the roundabout?

Agnes -  Prepare, observe, manoeuvre.

Jason - Good, which lane do we need to be in on the roundabout?...

Which do you think works best?

Right, let's jump into that first lesson.

First Learner Lesson