Helpful Information for Parents / Supervising Drivers:
Proven method in supervising new drivers.
Stage 1: Developing basic skills and car handling.
Supervising a Learner driver is a difficult and often a stressful time for non professional instructors. We at 1st Time Drive School are more than happy to assist you through this process
Learner Drivers no matter how co-ordinated find it very difficult at the very beginning. They do not know how much pressure to apply on the brake or accelerator paddle nor gauge how much to turn the steering wheel. In most instances our Learner Drivers develop this basic skill in the first 2 -5 hours of instruction.
We recommend all Learner Drivers should at the least have this basic skill before they undertake any driving lessons on a public road in a motor vehicle without dual controls.
Stage 2: Becoming familiar with road rules and road safety.
After approximately 10 - 20 hours of driving practice Learner drivers are able to start and stop safely and maintain basic car control e.g. keep the car in their lane when travelling straight and turning into a street or round-about and start learning how to negotiate with other drivers.
At this stage we recommend that the supervising driver meets with an instructor over a two hour session. During this session we introduce the supervising driver to the drive test requirements and the necessary driver behaviours before they continue supervising the Learner Driver. It takes a lot of effort and expense to change unsuitable driver
behaviours e.g. failing to do head checks, etc...
Stage 3: Undertaking complex tasks.
After a significant number of driving practice, Learner Drivers are able to drive in most driving conditions including heavy traffic and higher speeds. We recommend that the Learner Driver resumes lessons with us until the assessment day, generally 2 – 3 months out. During this time we ensure the Learner Driver can meet all of the requirements of the
17 driving tasks that they will be assessed against and we will instil good driving behaviours or change unsuitable behaviours. To keep the cost down we provide ongoing feedback to the supervising driver on areas requiring improvement.
Full driving supervision assumed by 1st Time Drive School.
Where parents/guardians simply do not have the time or find it difficult to supervise their child altogether, we are negotiating agreements that will ensure the learner driver obtains the mandatory 120 hours of supervision. This is a well structured program with ongoing feedback to the parents/guardians. During this time, numerous driving conditions
are covered including complex road systems and night driving. At the end, the product is a probationary driver with an extraordinary driving ability. (a special price applies)
Useful links:
VicRoads — http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home Transport Accident Commission — http://www.tacsafety.com.au/ Arrive Alive — http://www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au/ Road Transport Authority (RTA) NSW — http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/
