Schools out, the sun is also out and the kids need to get their hours up.  With that comes time for families to come out of hibernation and hit the road for some quality time together.  Might be day trips down the coast, or camping a few hours away.  Whatever road you’re taking – many learners will be driving on unfamiliar roads and will need your guidance and support to negotiate these.

How can I help them get to the next stage?

Here’s some tips to help them succeed and build their confidence, which will assist in getting them to the next stage.

• Ensure you’ve discussed prior to departing the possible route they would like to take
• Check tyre pressures before you leave. Ensure the wiper blade washer bottle is full.
• Take full advantage of the driver reviver sites along the highways to ensure regular breaks
• If your learner is already 18 – stop and think before they have that one drink on whether they want to drive that day or not.
• Listen to your learner – if they’ve had enough and want to stop driving, don’t say we’re nearly there. Let them pull over and rest or swap drivers.
• Be alert to how they’re going. Depending on how much experience they have, assist them with speed management.
• Safe gaps can be hard to maintain on busy roads. Guide them on how to try and maintain them.
• Stay hydrated. Keep a bottle of water in the car to sip when safe.
• The suggested drive length is no more than two hours per session. Remember, everyone is different.  Some will cope with longer times, some will want a break every hour.  The new learner log book app will stop logging from the two-hour mark, so a ten-minute break is a great idea.

Be the role model they deserve.

All of the above are tips that we’ve used for years as experienced drivers, so be the role model the deserve and give them the best possible start to their driving future.

Stay safe on the roads and if you’re lucky enough to get a few days away – enjoy being with those you love.

Until next time,

Sarah