Unit 41: Trained/Full Licence Holder – Progress, Hesitancy and Normal Road Position.

Research Material:
The Driving Instructor’s Handbook – Chapter 5
Driving: The Essential Skills
Lesson Presenter
The PST Sheets
PST 5 – Emergency stop – mirrors/Progress, hesitancy – normal position
Examiner’s Part 3 Guidelines

This is another subject which will only be done on part 3 with a phase 2 subject – someone who has been driving for a while, and is either in need of driver development, or is approaching their test. Think through all of the common problems you see with other road users with regards to the three subjects, and try to imagine where the problems and solutions lie. Aim to be on the move within 5 minutes

Recap & Main Points: (3-5 minutes)
Your customer has driven for a while, whether they are preparing for a test, (possibly an extended test due to disqualification) or having refresher lessons after a break from driving or after driving under different conditions for some time. Listen to your customer’s description of what they feel their problem is (or in the case of someone approaching their test, what their driving instructor has previously told them). From here start to work out a way to test the knowledge, skills and attitude to the areas that are to be worked on.

Objective: (30 Seconds)
To deal with the progress, hesitation and normal position independently, safely and with more confidence (specific, measurable and realistic). How do you feel about aiming for that over the next 20 minutes? (agreed & timed).

Practise:
Watch your customer carefully to determine the level of instruction to be used. Implement core competencies in the event of any faults, and use these to determine changes to the level of instruction.

Bear in mind that the main points in this area often contradict each other – once you have solved their speed problem you may find that they dawdle! Or if they drive too wide, beware of shaving as you attempt to fix this – make them aware that there is an optimum speed and position for every point during a journey, and ask them to question whether they feel they are attaining it.

Once something is being done correctly, attempt to transfer responsibility to an independent driver.

Summary:
Feedback at this point is hugely important – carefully question your customer for their knowledge and attitude. Be enthusiastic about how it all went, but ensure that you put into place an action plan to deal with any problems with control or observations which you couldn’t fix during the time you had in the lesson. Remember to acknowledge any mistakes, but to keep very positive about both your ability and your customer’s. Give your customer ownership of what they have done by asking them where their weak and strong points are. Fill out their track record.

If possible on phase 2 you should aim to call a halt a couple of minutes before the end in order to summarise.

Discussion Points:
Progress problems – get there, but do it safely – flexibility
Hazard awareness & over awareness
Positioning for yourself and others