Learner driver needs more lessons!

[coffeejo]

I was cycling along the main road earlier and wanted to turn right into the village so got ready to get myself into the turn lane (or whatever they're called). Checked over my shoulder and saw some cars approaching so signalled and put myself in primary. Still signalling, I checked over my shoulder again before changing lanes ... and my blood ran cold as a car pulled out on my right and overtook me in the turn lane, going at quite a speed. The passenger was shaking his hands at me and mouthing "sorry". The driver didn't even look at me and as it rejoined the proper lane, I saw the L plate on the back. I really really hope she meets some cyclists in her test.

If I hadn't checked again ... oh my.

 

[potsy]

Woman driver and woman cyclist = disaster

 

[coffeejo]

 

[Saluki]

Why didn't the instructor leap on the brakes when his charge was driving like a numpty? They are normally pretty sharp on that sort of thing. Of course this only works if its a proper learner car with the 'he man dual controls' fitted.

 

[coffeejo]

It wasn't a driving instructor, just a car with L plates and two people in their 20s.

 

[chillyuk]

Sounds like a typical learner in the early stages who only see the road three feet in front of them and are oblivious to anything else about them. At least the person instructing apologised, which wouldn't be a lot of use to you had you been splateered on the road!

 

[Matthew_T]

It wasn't a driving instructor, just a car with L plates and two people in their 20s.

They dont need to be taking driving lessons to be able to drive with L plates on.

Provisional license > provisional insurance > L plates on car > full driving license passenger.

Then you are capable of driving on the roads.

 

[Lucheni]

This sort of thing is the reason my mum refused to help teach my sister to drive until she'd already had plenty of proper lessons. Learner drivers can be awfully unpredictable.

That said, some proper instructors could do with a few more lessons too. Someone on my estate is learning to drive, I saw the fancy car as I was coming home the other day. I slowed down a little as there were cars parked across their lane and I wasn't sure how this learner would respond. I got a little closer and realised there was only one person in the car, and that slight weaving was caused by a driving instructor trying to put his seatbelt on. I assume he'd just finished a lesson and was rushing to the next.

 

[gavroche]

I still dont understand why in this country, people are allowed to learn to drive all the way without ever having professional driving lessons by a fully qualified instructor.
I think this is the only country in Europe that does that. Crazy!
Let's not forget also that even driving instructors can make mistakes, they are only humans.
Only a fool never make mistakes.

 

[Jezston]

I still dont understand why in this country, people are allowed to learn to drive all the way without ever having professional driving lessons by a fully qualified instructor.
I think this is the only country in Europe that does that. Crazy!
Let's not forget also that even driving instructors can make mistakes, they are only humans.
Only a fool never make mistakes.

Let's not forget also that driving instructors require no formal qualifications or special licenses, and are not overseen by any kind of standards body.

Hell, I could probably sell my services as a driving instructor and I can't even drive!

 

[gavroche]

Let's not forget also that driving instructors require no formal qualifications or special licenses, and are not overseen by any kind of standards body.

Hell, I could probably sell my services as a driving instructor and I can't even drive!

Driving instructors have to pass 3 stringent tests to qualify as ADI ( Approved Driving Instructor)
1. A theory test of 100 questions
2. A driving test lasting 1 hour and no more than 6 driving faults to pass.
3. A teaching test where the instructor has to prove his ability to teach .
This is the toughest of all as the pass rate for that is less than 30%
Also instructors has to do a check test set by the DSA every few years, to decide what grade they are. The minimum grade is 4 rising to 6. Below 4 means the instructor has to do further training.

ADIs have to display a licence which is renewed every 4 years.

They also have to follow a code of conduct or they could be struck off the register.
So get your facts right next time .

 

[Jezston]

Driving instructors have to pass 3 stringent tests to qualify as ADI ( Approved Driving Instructor)
1. A theory test of 100 questions
2. A driving test lasting 1 hour and no more than 6 driving faults to pass.
3. A teaching test where the instructor has to prove his ability to teach .
This is the toughest of all as the pass rate for that is less than 30%
Also instructors has to do a check test set by the DSA every few years, to decide what grade they are. The minimum grade is 4 rising to 6. Below 4 means the instructor has to do further training.

ADIs have to display a licence which is renewed every 4 years.

They also have to follow a code of conduct or they could be struck off the register.
So get your facts right next time .

I did not know this.

I thought you didn't because of the big scams with driving instructor firms like Red charging people loads to become driving instructors, which rarely consisted of anything meaningful.

I also just realised my uncle must have been teaching illegally at some point, unless these rules are relatively recent. It's ok he's dead now.

 

[jackm]

Contrary to popular belief the main driving schools, BSM AA RED don't make a penny from driving lessons.............

Their Instructors all work on a self employed Franchise system, so the schools earn money from renting cars to Instructors, and from selling expensive training courses to them.

Talk to local instructors before signing uo with any of the large training schools if you're thinking of investing your redundancy cheque in a new career....................................

 

[gavroche]

and dont believe all the crap about earning 30k a year. In my area, I dont know anyone earning that . Competition is fierce and there is a downturn in demand due to high insurance premiums on youngsters , the economy and high unemployment.
Be wise, invest your money in another form of training.

 

[leroy]

I made a very good living from being a driving instructor actually

As you say though, it really does depend on the area. Some smaller areas can have a lot of driving instructors.....it is at that point that reputation comes into play - recomendations made up 75% of my customers, saving a fortune on franchise/advertising costs.

In fact I am still getting calls now, nearly 3 years on asking me for lessons - usually a younger brother/sister of someone I taught!

What did shock me was the amount of piss poor instructors I came across. I ended up with 3 students from someone who failed their 'check test' numerous times. The standard of these students was shocking, and this was after about 20hrs of lessons

PS I nearly got taken out by a driving instructor last week at a chicane where i had right of way ggrr