MODERN DRIVER TRAINING TECHNIQUES
In this section we look at the latest instructional techniques used by the top Driving Instructors.
A version of this page appears on our Driving Instructor Training website, we thought it would be interesting and helpful for learner drivers to read this, to help them understand the learning process.
As a Car Driving School and Driving Instructor Training company, we are always being asked about new developments within the driver training industry. We are also continually looking at ways to make our training methods and Driving Instructor development courses stand out from the rest, this means trying to stay one step ahead of future developments in the industry.
There have been loads of changes to the driving test in recent years, with developments introduced such as Independent Driving, the Hazard Perception Test and Case Studies, to name just four ( joke, honestly.)
So, to give you a feel for the direction driver training is taking, this section takes a look at some of the latest driver training initiatives.
DSA are continually looking at ways of improving driver training standards and ways of making the driving test more like real-life driving, this is why there are so many changes to the test.
The latest buzz word at DSA is Client Centred Learning where instructors are encouraged to develop lesson plans based round the needs of the individual pupil, rather than teaching the same stuff to everyone. Our Driving Instructor Development Courses are based around this system.
DSA recently published a Training Standards Document outlining in detail what Driving Instructors should be teaching. You can obtain a copy of this by e-mailing us at iansaddlers@aol.com
Coaching
The EU HERMES project began in March 2007 and was completed in February 2010. The project's aim was to encourage professional Driving Instructors to develop advanced 'Coaching' skills. The vision for the future being to guide instructors away from 'old fashioned instructional techniques' and towards 'modern coaching.'
Driving Standards Agency, while supporting this project are also developing a similar project called the 'Modernising Driver Training' initiative. Many top driving instructors are now taking steps to incorporate 'Coaching techniques' into their driver training, we also teach these advanced techniques when we train driving instructors.
The driving test focusses on the negative aspect of driving, in other words the examiner is watching the test candidate drive and marking any faults, so however nice the examiner is, he/she is always subconsciously criticising the learner's performance on test. Some old fashioned techniques that driving instructors use can reflect this: For example when the instructor keeps telling you "you did that wrong, i'll tell you what to do next time!" or "that was no good, you should have done this!"
Coaching encourages instructors to let the pupil work out what went wrong by asking questions such as "What do you think happened there?" or "How did you feel in that situation?" Coaching also focuses on the specific situation that occured rather than criticism of the learner's driving and tends to focus on positives, what the learner did well in a situation, to help the pupil learn through encouragement to develop a learner's confidence.
So what difference does that make?
During the first few lessons, the learner still needs to be taught new skills using instruction, including when learning new manoeuvres like reversing. The instruction can then be replaced with coaching.
The problem with instruction is it lowers the level of self-esteem, awareness and responsibility of the pupil. An instructor is unconsciously saying - "I'm the instructor, I'm in charge you will do what I say when I say!" This has the effect of slowing learning and removing independence from the pupil.
Basically you are obeying the instructor's commands rather than learning how to drive properly.
The Learning Plateau.
Driving books will tell you about the Learning Plateau, the technical term for when a learner driver reaches a certain stage in the learning process where learning slows or stops and they struggle to make any progress. This can be demoralising for both pupil and instructor.
So what causes this Learning Plateau? Some 'experts' may tell you it's down to the pupil having reached the peak of their ability to take in information or similar theories. This is basically rubbish !!!
The Learning Plateau can be caused by these old fashioned instructional techniques because the instructor needs to adapt instructional and coaching techniques to suit the individual pupil.
This is where coaching really comes into it's own: Good instructors can use coaching to completely eliminate the Learning Plateau, leading to a considerably higher standard of driving and a much better chance of you passing the test.
What if I am really struggling ?
If you are really struggling or if you have hit the Learning Plateau, this can be overcome by using some of the more advanced techniques we teach driving instructors, such as Positive Analysis and Defined Outcomes. Be aware however, most ordinary driving instructors will not know about or be able to use these techniques.
So, ask your instructor if they use modern coaching techniques when you book lessons. If they say"I don't know what you're talking about," it may be worth finding a different instructor.
Training on all Road Types
I'm going to start this section by being controversial, at the risk of upsetting some instructors:
Some Driving Instructors still teach people to pass the test rather than teaching them to drive; this is achieved by just spending every lesson teaching the learner test routes.
You may be thinking "that's OK, I want to pass the test." But this is NOT GOOD:
You need to learn by spending adequate time on all types of road, including 60 mph country roads, narrow bendy single track roads, busy 70mph dual carriageways and so-on. If you don't, the moment you go on these roads after passing the test, you're an accident waiting to happen.
You should be taught stuff like anticipation and cornering techniques on higher speed roads: All our learners get taught how to judge the approach to corners and stage one & two acceleration on 60mph country roads, anticipation skills and using clues to plan what's ahead.
If you've spent every lesson learning test routes, as many instructor's did years ago; you will know none of this when you drive in the real world.
This is a big problem because something like 80% of serious accidents happen on high speed country roads and dual carriageways; whereas almost all minor bumps happen in town. This means if you've had all your lessons around town you will probably avoid that little bumper-touch, but the huge life-threatening crash on a country road is a distinct possibility.
So, your task as a new driver is to ensure your instructor teaches you all these driving techniques.
All the best
Ian