There is the conception that driving instructions are generally rude and harsh. They go about their business like the police. A good number of driving students blame their road test failures on the driving instructors.
Are the driving instructors really rude or is it a misunderstanding? What are your expectations as a driving student? What are the driving instructor’s expectations?
Whether they are bossy or not, you still need a driving instructor if you want to qualify as a driver, so you might as well learn to cope with them. It would help if you were even prepared to ask your instructor a lot of driving questions.
The following is a list of confessions of a driving instructor to driving learners who hope to be the best drivers in the world:
1. Driving is a Serious Matter
Driving is fun, but it can be dangerous if the traffic rules are disregarded. Failure to follow the laid down traffic rules and guidelines could result in serious road accidents. For that reason, driving instructors have a sacred duty to ensure the driving students take their lessons seriously so as to be good drivers.
The instructors have to be strict and stern with you because they know what your incompetency on the road could mean for the safety of other road users and even yours. Driving is a matter of life and death. In their determination to ensure you become a safe driver, the instructors may pass across as rude and petty.
If an instructor barks at you when he realizes you are not paying attention, take it positively; it’s for your own good. Remember, you pay a fee to be taught, and it’s only fair that they give you value for your money.
Of course, we’re not condoning any unbecoming behaviors by the driving instructors. If you feel your instructor is overbearing, kindly speak out.
2. Driving Instructors Value Their Reputation
If you graduate from a driving school and become a good driver, your instructor knows he did a good job. But if you cause several accidents in your first year as a driver, fingers would be pointed, some at you while the rest at your former driving school and your instructor. No instructor wants to be associated with any road accident by a former student. Hence, their reputation is always at stake when they teach you.
3. Listen to Your Instructors
Another confessions by a driving instructor are that some learners do not want to listen to everything the instructors say.
Your instructor knows when you are listening and when you are daydreaming or just disinterested. You need to listen to all the instructions your instructor tries to impart to you.
Many of those who do not listen end up being roadworthy drivers. Others don’t want the test.
Remember, your driving instructor knows what the examiners will be looking for during the test.
It is easy for an instructor to tell which students are likely to end up as good drivers just by their level of focus. One more thing: don’t skip lessons. Not all instructors will be willing to rewind what is already covered just because you were absent yesterday.
4. Prepare for Your Theory Test From The Start
It is not uncommon for a student to start preparing for the road test on his very first day in a driving school. The road test is seen as the ultimate exam that a learner has to face after acquiring driving skills.
However, do not forget that you have to pass your theory test before facing your road test.
When you join a driving school, you should start preparing for the theory test. Ask your instructor to provide you with some theory learning materials so that you can deeply read and understand more about driving.
This will expand your knowledge about the traffic rules and road signs. Read as though you are planning to become a driving school instructor. Knowledge is power; do not focus only on the superfluous tricks you need to pass the road test.
5. Choose a Suitable Instructor
People are wired differently, so whom your friend considers the right instructor may not be the ideal one for you. You will spend a lot of time with the instructor, so it helps to get someone who can meet your needs well.
You can only learn and remember the lessons if you are happy and relaxed, which only happens if you are comfortable with whoever is instructing you.
Therefore, if it depends on you, see if you can find an instructor you find agreeable and easy to get along with. This should not mean that the rest you couldn’t get along with are bad instructors; some other learners prefer them over the one you chose.
6. Get Familiar with Your Road Test Site
Another confession of a driving instructor is that some learners do not have the time even to check out a map of the road test site where their fate will be decided. They get to see the place on the day of the road test!
You should get familiar with the road test location before the day. This can help reduce the anxiety or possible mistakes you might make due to unfamiliarity.
7. Relax on Your Road Test Day
Driving instructors confess that some learners fail the road test not out of incompetence but anxiety and fear. It would be best if you relaxed your nerves on that day.
For a start, have enough sleep the night before the test. You should also stay hydrated. Then, practice deep-breathing exercises.
Your brain needs to relax. You better research more on ways to stay calm on the road test day.
8. Remain Vigilant for Life
Many road accidents are caused by the same people who passed their driving exams. So, what gets over them after graduating from a driving school? Well, some loosen their grip on the lessons they were taught.
They willingly unlearn some of the most valuable driving instructions and pick up new streetwise tricks. Instead of striving to drive safely, they desire ways to speed without being detected or overtake the cars in front to get to their destination fast enough.
You should remain vigilant for life; drive as though the DMV is always watching.
In Conclusion…
Instructors are just other members of your society who happen to be driving school teachers. They are family men and women. Away from work, they laugh and joke and laugh some more. They can be friendly, but their work requires them to be tough.
However, at Pierre Paul Driving School, we believe that it is possible for the instructor to stay calm and polite while finding ways to communicate effectively with each learner.
A good instructor should build your confidence as days pass. Of course, confidence should not be achieved through false compliments or tolerating laziness or lack of seriousness on your part.