1. Do not start/finish
first lesson in the driveway...
...
or on a public road. Drive the student to a large, empty space
to commence. You both can concentrate on first learning the
foot pedals and steering, without having to worry about running off the road or
into other traffic.
2.
Use a car that is mechanically sound and roadworthy:
It is
very distracting and dangerous to learn in a car with a
faulty gearlever, clutch or steering wheel etc. Driving a defective vehicle is
also giving a bad example.
3.
Learners must wear proper footwear:
Wearing
thongs
(flip-flops),
high-heels, platform shoes or driving barefoot is
dangerous and distracting. (Without proper footwear a
driving examiner may refuse to conduct a test!) Shoes with thick soles make
it harder to feel the accelerator.
4.
Don’t expect too much initially:
A
complete beginner is safest when driving in first gear (or very low speed in
an automatic car)
until the brake, accelerator
and steering are reasonably under control. Don't
expect a sibling to be
learning at the same pace as his/her brother or sister. 'Slow and
steady' is a good approach teaching a beginner learner.
5.
Don’t shout or criticize...
...rather,
give praise when a task
has been properly learned and demonstrated well.
|
6.
Before starting out, especially into
traffic, explain:
"If
I say stop, it means clutch down and press the
brake";
or just "brake" in a car with
auto transmission. Practice it while stationary.
Explain that
unless you give other directions, it means to just keep going straight
ahead.
Keep your hand discreetly near the handbrake.
Ensure it works!
|
7. Teach concepts
according
to the skill level:
Don’t be too
optimistic at first about the ability of the learner.
One will want to join a main road first lesson, another may be too
frightened to do so for a number of lessons. Avoid heavy traffic at
an early stage.
8.
Give early directions - at ... do:
"Not at this street, but at the one after, turn left."
To direct a pupil the other way: "Turn right at such and such a
street" may confuse some.
Use landmarks e.g. "See the green fence? Not at that street,
but the one after that please turn left ..."
9.
Buy a stick-on mirror:
(Available
in auto-accessories shops) The ability to see traffic behind places
you a step ahead should an emergency arise.
10. Everything can and has to be taught:
Do not
assume the learner knows. Even
simple concepts (e.g. press accelerator down harder
going uphill) may have to be taught. The phrase 'engage
the clutch' or "keep your momentum" may
sound like a foreign language to a beginner.
