Private Practice : Talking to the Instructor (ADI)

Regular Communication

It is very important to maintain good communication with your learner's instructor. First of all, to check when it is safe to begin private practice, and then to co-ordinate what happens during practice drives with the professional lessons the instructor is providing. This will ensure that the learner gains the maximum benefit from their learning experience, and the best value for money for the lessons.

Find Out What Skills To Practice

Instructors will tell the learner driver what skills he or she needs to brush up on after each lesson, and you should concentrate on these skills. Although the learner will probably have some idea of the parts of their driving they need to improve, encourage them to ask the instructor at the end of every lesson what they should practice before the next lesson.

If you have any concerns about the driving techniques being taught by the instructor, discuss these with him or her rather than contradict them during practice drives.

You can ask to sit in on some of the lessons, and most instructors will be happy for you to do this. This will help you pick up how professional lessons are structured and how the driving instructor helps and encourages the learner to develop their skills as a safer driver. It will also give you a good idea of the routes being used and traffic situations they encounter on them.

Compare Log Books

During the learning, you should keep a log book of your learner's development. There are two publications which can help you do this, The Drivers Record for Pupils which can be downloaded from the Driving Standards Agency's website and 'The Official Guide to Accompanying L Drivers', which can be purchased from bookshops.

The instructor should also keep a log book of your learner's development. Comparing the instructor's record and your own is a good way of monitoring progress and identifying key skills to work on.