» Listings for February 2009

1. Commentary Driving

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 23rd Feb 2009

   It really does amaze me that driving instructor trainers DO NOT get there pdi's doing commentary driving until they are on there part3!
     This is an essential part of passing the part 3 exams and needs to be started as soon as some chooses to become a driving instructor, not 2 months before they are due to sit an exam!!
   Without the commentary you cannot possible expect to give the right level of instruction on phase 1 or indeed be ahead of the pupil with what you expect them to do. Instead it becomes a history lesson....."you crossed the white line there.....You nearly hit that cars mirrors.....You should have stopped for that pedestrian"
   
   This is not the way to pass your part 3!!!!
   
   And the amount of people who train to become an instructor are not being taught this.
    If you are a pdi and your trainer is not ORDIT registered and you are not being taught on a one to one basis then perhaps it is time to think about using another trainer.
          You only get 3 attempts at the test DO not waste them!!

2. All weather driving

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 23rd Feb 2009

   Driving lessons in the snow?
   
   It always amazes me when pupils phone me or the office to ask if they are still having a driving lesson, because it has started to snow or has been snowing.
   
   The simple answer is
   
   "When you pass your test and it snows are you going to drive your car?" ~Then you need to learn in it"
   
   My rule of thumb for snow is if I would drive in it, then i can teach in it!
   The ease at which all my pupils adapted to the bad conditions, simply emphasized how easy it is to adapt your driving style to the conditions around you. None of my driving lessons were cancelled even though we had pretty heavy snow as well as lots of snow on the ground.
   The whole key to it is observations and anticipation, allowing more time to react so you don't hit the brakes so hard and therefore reduce the risk of skidding.
   With the driving lessons in the snow, the pupils enjoyed seeing how to handle wheel spins and the effects of the abs at relatively low speeds. But the high point was as we were driving around as almost the ONLY driving school still out and about, there was a spokesman from the local police authority bemoaning the fact that young drivers were not able to cope with the conditions, as they were not being taught in it!!
   All except Driver Training pupils!!