Confessions of a Driving Instructor

My newly-completed lesson plans were put to use today, as I was asked to give a full lesson on emerging from junctions. Needless to say, it didn’t go quite as expected

It started badly when I gave the briefing for approaching junctions, not emerging from them - I only realised this about 10 minutes later, which was quite embarrassing. After a few practise junctions, it became apparent just how soon instructions need to be given, so that all instructions can be given before reaching the junction.

After practising emerging from junctions, we went for a general drive around, with me giving instructions as appropriate. This was very tiring, and it is surprising just how much effort it takes when you have to think about everything you do when you drive. A number of times we overshot roundabouts, where I hadn’t instructed the trainer (acting as my pupil) to slow down soon enough - I was thinking at the speed I normally drive, which doesn’t allow enough time to instruct a pupil how to perform the manoeuvre safely - I need to start preparing for junctions a lot sooner.

There are only two more lessons left until I can apply for my Trainee Driving Instructor licence - and start taking real pupils out

This entry was posted on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 7:58 pm and is filed under Lesson. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.