The 4 stages of training
Roughly speaking, learning to drive can be split into four stages:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Driving Test Preparation
Beginner
The training for this stage starts on quiet roads with simple junctions, when appropriate, and progresses to using roads with light to moderate traffic conditions.
Initially the emphasis is on gaining basic car control skills, although the teaching of hazard perception skills will be introduced at this stage. You will be taught the operation of the major car controls and will practise their use. This will be followed by the principal road procedures and their application.
Intermediate
Having acquired the basics of driving, it is now time to put them to use in a greater variety of road and traffic conditions.
The training for this stage is undertaken in light, moderate and sometimes busy traffic, with roads of medium difficulty.
As you gain experience during this stage, you will gradually be encouraged to make decisions for yourself.
Your instructor will train you to develop your hazard perception, by teaching you to think ahead and to assess the changing road and traffic conditions as they develop around you.
The necessity for good observation, alertness and anticipation of what other road users may do will be emphasised during this stage.
A good motorist should rarely be taken by surprise, and learning to plan your moves well in advance is the essence of smooth controlled safe driving.
The intermediate stage takes the longest since it has the most content, and involves the development of your judgement and driving skill. It also includes learning all of the manoeuvres.
Advanced
The training for this stage will be conducted on all types of roads (including dual carriageways) and in moderate, busy and heavy traffic.
With all of the items on the training syllabus already covered, this stage mainly involves the consolidation of your skills and the application of them to the most difficult road and traffic conditions that you can expect to come across.
At this stage, of you training it is worth emphasising the following point:
YOUR ATTITUDE TO DRIVING WILL CONTROL EVERYTHING YOU DO.
It does not matter how good your car control skills are, or how good your knowledge and understanding of motoring are, or even how well you can plan ahead and use your hazard perception skills. If you do not have a safety first attitude, and you choose not to apply your newfound abilities correctly, you will never be safe driver.
Test Preparation and Mock Tests
The final few lessons that you have with your instructor will be to focus your attention on the driving test itself. We strongly advise all of our pupils to have two mock tests before they take the real one.
The main aim of the first mock test is to highlight any outstanding areas of weakness that may still exist in your driving, and to give you an idea of how you will drive when under the pressure of being tested.
We nearly always find that most pupils do not give of their best on this first mock test because of "exam nerves". The lesson to learn is that you can be your own worst enemy in this situation by worrying too much and trying too hard.
Any weaknesses that were brought out by the first mock test will have to be corrected and brought up to standard.
About of week or so before your driving test, a second mock test should be arranged to act as a "warm up" for the main event.
In addition, your instructor will make sure that you understand exactly what the examiner will be looking for, and how the test is marked.