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PARENTS & FAMILIES

What is my role when helping someone learn to drive?

Passenger Support → Practice Coach → Independent Driver Support

QUICK ANSWER

Your job is to help the learner gradually learn to see, think, decide, and drive independently.

WHAT THAT MEANS

At the beginning you may provide more explanation. As ability improves, your involvement should decrease.

SUPPORTING ANSWER SECTIONS

Guide, do not control
Help the learner understand what is happening rather than controlling every decision.

Build independence
Give the learner time to think before supplying the answer.

Stay calm
Your tone becomes part of the learning environment.

DRIVEx WAY OF THINKING

Notice: What do you see? Understand: What is happening? Predict: What might happen? Decide: What are you going to do? Recheck: Did it work? Reflect: What did you learn?

WATCH
KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Guide instead of controlling.
• Ask before telling when safe.
• Let the learner think.
• Stay calm.
• Build independence.

YOU MAY ALSO BE WONDERING

Should I tell them exactly what to do every time?

Not when there is enough time for them to recognize and solve the situation themselves.

What if they keep asking me?

Help them identify the information they should use to decide.

Should I expect mistakes?

Yes. Mistakes are part of learning and should become information.

How do I know when to say less?

Reduce prompting as the learner consistently recognizes and responds correctly.
KEEP LEARNING
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