Learning how to drive involves much more than grasping the basics of vehicle operation and understanding the rules of the road.
Remembering to slow down in a school zone and knowing how to move the gear lever to put the car in “Reverse” are indispensable, of course, to a new driver’s education, but so is developing a proper driving attitude.
Before taking a driving test a learner should be confident behind the steering wheel. Drivers who lack confidence may become either overly cautious or too aggressive, posing a hazard for themselves and other motorists.
The adult who mentors the learner driver by accompanying him on practice rides contributes more than offering specific driving advice. Whether it is a parent, sibling or friend, they set a lasting example in their attitude to driving and body language.
How to help the learner become a safe and confident:
- Give clear, unambiguous instructions. Don’t bellow, “Turn here!” when the driver is practically right on top of the intersection. Instead, say, “Drive three blocks to Locust Lane. At the red light, turn right.”
- If the learner driver makes a mistake, gently point out what he did wrong. Give him the opportunity as soon as possible to repeat the procedure or drive at the same location to “get it right.”
- Remain calm no matter what. If you yell, you might make a tense moment worse. The learner will be reluctant to continue driving.
- Always sit in the front passenger seat. It’s impossible to thoroughly observe the driver’s behaviour and monitor road and traffic conditions from the back seat.
- Give all your attention to the learner driver. Don’t make comments about the scenery, fiddle with the radio dials, talk on the cell phone or day-dream.
- Don’t fidget. Nervousness is contagious. Instead of concentrating on driving, the learner driver will become concerned about making mistakes and perhaps even develop an irrational fear of driving in traffic.
Having passed the test obtaining affordable car insurance is often the next hurdle. Young driver car insurance premiums can seem ridiculously high due to the higher rick that young new drivers pose to the insurance companies.
One method to avoid this is to get a parent to insure the car in their name and add the son or daughter as a named driver. Known as “Fronting” this technique should be avoided at all cost as if discovered the insurance could be voided leaving the policy holder with huge costs in the event of an accident. However there are legal options. A good source of cheap car insurance for young drivers is Coverbox who offer a big discount if the driver chooses not to drive after 11pm which is the most dangerous time.