QUALIFIED SUPERVISING DRIVERS

Qualified Supervising Drivers
How can you help the Learner
Getting Started
Giving Directions
Other Tips

Qualified Supervising Drivers – Parents, Family and Friends.

A “Qualified Supervising Driver” (QSD) has a very important job. They sit beside the learner allowing them to develop life saving skills and gain experience. The Driving Companion, on page 6 - available from Customer Service Centres - tells us that a QSD must meet the following requirements.

have an unconditional licence authorising the person to drive a Class C vehicle (or an equivalent foreign licence as approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles)

have held an unconditional or full licence for the last 2 years without disqualification

not hold a provisional or probationary licence or be subject to the condition of "good behaviour"

not have a blood alcohol reading of more than 0.05 or the presence of THC (Cannabis) or Methylamphetamine (Speed) in their blood or oral fluid.

Please refer to the book for further details. (See link at bottom of page)

Do you want your Learner driving like you do?

Other than providing plenty of practice opportunities and choosing high standard professional training, one of the best ways to help your Learner is to be an excellent driver yourself.

If you always follow a safe distance (more than 2 seconds) behind the vehicle in front you will be helping your Learner develop one of the most important road safety concepts.
If you never speed and always drive safely for the conditions, it is more likely your Learner will do the same.
If, when faced with a yellow light you always stop if safe, your Learner will have a great example to follow.
If you regularly look in your mirrors to keep track of what is behind and beside you, your Learner will easily accept this as being normal.
If you never use your mobile phone to text or talk (without hands free) when driving, your Learner is much less likely to do the same.
If you never drink and drive there is a much better chance your Learner won’t either.

Are you worried the Learner will pick up your bad habits?

The above list covers a few common “bad habit" areas. If you identify one or two things that you could do differently, now is the time to change. Talk about the changes you are making and stick to the plan – the Learner will appreciate it.

Be the type of driver you would like your Learner to become. It works well:

They will potentially be a much safer driver.
You will be a much better than average driver yourself
The Learner will have more respect for what you say to them.
The learning process and gaining a licence will be simpler (and less expensive).

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Are you scared?

What is it like to sit in the left seat with a driver who has little or no experience or ability? Not always easy! If you are feeling nervous and scared, you are normal. You don't have the additional brake pedal (sanity preserver) that most Driving Instructors do. Without this, Instructors would be a lot more nervous too.

Getting Started.

Take it slowly at first until you and the Learner build confidence. Go out into a quiet street, or empty carpark somewhere. Get the Learner used to starting, moving, steering and stopping the vehicle. Then move onto a slightly bigger road with little or no traffic. Turning left on to and off the road, go around the block a few times. Be very careful not to throw the Learner (or yourselves) in too deep too early!

Giving Directions.

Choose your words carefully. If you see danger ahead, instead of saying, "slow down", try something like, "brake", then "more brake" or "press twice as hard" until they are at the speed required. Sometimes terms like, "half this speed" or "walking speed - now", help. It gives the learner some idea of how slow you actually want them to go.

Other Tips.

When you are turning corners start slowly and encourage them to look where they want the car to go, not just at the piece of road immediately in front of the car. Turning left at intersections is usually the most difficult. Walking speed is a good turn left speed.

Remember to keep your learner at a good, safe following distance (at least twice the distance most people follow) behind the vehicle in front. This helps you stay out of trouble by allowing you both to see what's happening well in advance. It allows time to stop or avoid any trouble that may arise. It will also develop an excellent, safe driving habit. As mentioned above, it is one of the most important road safety concepts. The how and why of safe following distances is well explained in the Drivers Hand Book.

Allow the Learner lots of time to process everything. Give plenty of warning when giving directions etc. In the early stages a new driver is almost totally focused on controlling the car. Initially you will have to do almost everything else for them.

It is equally important to stop "doing things" for them as soon as possible. They will very soon be on the road without you, having to make every decision for themselves.

Most importantly - have fun! See you on the roads.

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