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Hi,
Just starting to teach my 16 year old daughter to drive (off-road), just to cover the basics of car control etc. I am a member of IAM and have developed my driving habits using Roadcraft.
What I don't want to do is teach my daughter a process of driving from Roadcraft that is different to the process she will need to learn to pass the test.
There is sooooo much stuff on the internet about learning to drive but nothing I can find about different processes i.e. - I don't change down through the gears when I'm slowing, I select the right gear when I wish to make progress again. Which is right for the test? I only use indicators when they will benefit others - how is it taught for the test? Many of other little things too.
Soooo. ........ Are there any driving instructors out there or people who have recently passed their tests, that can point me toward some good sites or literature to help in this early learning stage.
Many thanks,
Carl.
www.adiforum.co.uk, www.2pass.co.uk and www.dsa.gov.uk
I wouldn't worry too much about block changes, brake/gear separation, or reactive indicators.
Just teach it on the P.O.M. and M.S.P.S.L.A.D.A. frameworks and you'll be fine.
Any questions give me a shout.
How much of a difference does IAM membership make to your insurance out of interest?
I passed about 8 months ago.
I was taught that when going down through the gears you can skip to the one you want, say from 4th to 2nd missing 3rd.
I always indicated too, even if there were no other cars around - better to be safe than sorry.
I thought you were ment to use the brakes - not being funny but that way you are indicating to other drivers your actions via brakelights.
Teach her to lock/unlock - deal with abs chatter, slide etc.Might not pass her test but handy.
Thanks everyone.
I think I'll leave the ABS stuff for now - we have to progress beyond 1st gear first.
I have a company car, so no idea how much difference IAM makes on the insurance - sorry.
Yep, at this stage, best to learn the process of indicating at all times - it is all about learning the mechanical processes of driving at the moment.
Goan - as they say "I'll be back!" Many thanks.
Cheers,
Carl.
In some situations I dont agree with indicating only if others are there, very often people forget cyclists and pedestrians when making that choice and use the IAM badge as a justification of their "better knowledge". There's no reason NOT to indicate, it doesnt take much doing unless you're driving so fast you dont have time to clip the stalk on the way past, in which case you'll be on the track, right?
I thought you were ment to use the brakes - not being funny but that way you are indicating to other drivers your actions via brakelights.
No-one has said any different? Incidentally though, when driving in "commuter mode" or "just getting somewhere" I rarely use the brakes except when coming to a complete stop, I time my shifts and power in a manner that means I'm able to smooth out traffic lights etc without racing up to them and stopping/going again, and on sweeping bends I'd rather downshift and prep for exit than brake. If you're so close you need to watch my brake lights to react for the bend that's your problem, you should be judging the road yourself, not by my lights. Of course in emergency or rapid-stop situations you can't use gears only so that's a moot point.
The idea behind the IAM's no indicating unless there's someone that'll benefit is based on encouraging the driver to have FULL picture of what is all round them at all times.
CK - do you want a free driver assessment?
Do I have to have my results blogged on STW? 😀
Not if you dont want to.
Actually I have always been curious about the IAM and how I'd do. I remain fairly convinced my driving would pass the learner driver normal test without a problem (though occasionally my parallel parks fail miserably as I switch cars quite regularly), and that I'm actually quite an observant and careful driver, even if I have an enjoyment of cornering. I think I know where my faults would lie if assessed. An online exposé - an interesting challenge! I am actually tempted as I've considered going for it before.
As i say, i'll be over in Glasgow every day for the next 4 years from the 14th of this month. We can sort out a time and place nearer the time. You might even learn something. 😉
when I teach my kids to drive I'm going to just teach them to work a car properly, then get someone else to show them the rules of driving (they already don't listen to me properly & they're both under 10)
Goan - I'll take up the challenge, always enjoy furthering my skills.
Not sure how I'd get on these days
I left foot brake & never go down through the gearbox - I just select the one I want
I did pass my original test easily enough though, the inspector said it was unusual but not unsafe
Make it clear that the only acceptable way to pass a cyclist is by crossing completely to the other side of the road.
Dunno how it is now but when I took my test 7 years ago it was frowned upon to change sequentially down through the box to slow down. I use 5 -> brake for roundabout -> 2nd or 1st etc.
"Gears are for going, brakes are for stopping" is what my instructor taught me. Besides, it's a lot cheaper to change brake pads than clutch / gearbox components. 🙂
Only do gears...and pedal control...make sure when turning that she doesnt take her hands of the steering wheel...i passed my test 3 and half years ago and i dont think id pass know because u have to get everything perfect...even tho im a better driver. the instructor will teach her all the annoying things that u no longer do etc.
Go for it CK - you won't regret it......
Goan,
Have to ask .......
Just teach it on the P.O.M. and M.S.P.S.L.A.D.A. frameworks and you'll be fine.
I'm stumped ....
Cheers,
Carl.
my driving instructor taught me to come to a halt and then select what gear you need. it still makes me laugh when my mum depresses the clutch and goes through the gears sequentially as she draws to a halt.
the only thing that i remember being massively different to sensible regular driving is the whole two hands on the steering wheel push pull thing and using the handbrake to hold the car when pulling off rather than 'rushing' to balance the clutch
Plant - POM is the procedure we use to teach moving off - Prepare, Observe, Manoeuvre.
MSPSLADA - is used for pretty much everything else, and is how the DSA mark their tests. Mirrors, Signal, Position, Speed, Look, Assess, Decide and Act.
Stick to those two procedures and you cant go far wrong.