You think you can drive–check that for yourself. and then somebody sees you doing it as a means of livelihood, and you are all at once criticized at the glance of everybody at the mirror, at all the gears, at all the brakes. Training of driving instructors starts with hard start. Bad habits are soon betrayed: sailing on wasted energy, belching at the rear-view, easy gestures. Trainers don’t sugarcoat it. The thing is that you can teach to be a clean driver only when you are not able to be a dirty driver.
The climbing of the ladder to becoming a driving instructor in U.K. goes through the driver and vehicle standards agency. It consists of three large sections that comprise of theory and hazard perception test, advanced driving test and finally the instructional capacity test. The last stage is similar to being at the point where they do not have a script except that this time, the prices are traffic, cars, and safety.
Perfect control is required in advanced driving test. You must read the traffic, reduce speed, and have a steady car. What you say, you see, the commentary making is required. “Pedestrian waiting. Car slowing ahead. Junction opening on the left.” At first, it feels strange. And then it makes you alert and your thoughts is making you anticipate every movement. Then there is the instructional stage.
One does not have to strain to know how to do a maneuver. What to say to one who wiggles his foot on the clutch? That’s a different story. The instructor trainees study learning styles. There are learners that need regular motivation. Some still others are met with harsh correction. The barrier is balance: hassle-free, steady and secure communication.
One of the trainers stated that fifty percent of your lesson is in your tone. He was right. We are describing Brake as though the sky fell down, and everything goes panicky. Whisper and the learner will believe a lot in you. Words are heavy in an inspirited car. Severe drilling of risk management takes place. Dual controls are not the solution, but rather a backup. Timing is everything. Before a time interfere, and you usurp confidence. Action that is too late will cause a crash by a mere mistake. The trainees practice the emergency stops in-depth, in a quiet voice, and by quick reactions–no dramatics.
The manner in which lesson is organized is also important. The sessions are gradually built up: push out, negotiate crossroads, roundabout learn, drive on own. Progress must be clear. Guessing is wastage of time and energy. The business side is real. There are very many independent teachers. The pricing, diary management and cancellation are also part of training. “Sorry, I can’t make it.” You change, be professional and go on with the lessons.
The boredom sets in. One session to another is a challenge. You repeat of the same thing of mirror-symbol-manoeuvre till it echoes in your ears. But all learners are different- some learners are trapped at the traffic lights, some learners are not good at silence. It becomes natural to get accustomed to it. Then comes the payoff. A student who would be caught on all hilly slopes runs like a sail. Test day arrives. They pass. Their grin says it all. You smile, maybe tease, “See? All that practice.” Inside, pride hits.
The driving trainers do not merely train the driving skill. It cultivates the relaxation when pressure occurs, logical thinking and mastering emotions. The rear seat is turned into a travelling schoolroom. The plants are confident in every correction performed in a slow manner even when the engine is not turned on.