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You can help

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Sometimes the best help you can give someone is to encourage them.

It can be hard for a learner driver to prepare for a theory test, learn the road rules, and get enough driving practice. Even if you can’t drive yourself, you can help by making it easy for your family members and friends to learn things properly.

Maybe you could help by asking them questions about the road rules, and checking their answers in The Driver’s Handbook? Maybe you could provide a quiet place for them to study the rules? If they have kids, maybe you could look after them sometimes so they can get more driving practice?

If you have a full driver’s licence with no restrictions or disqualifications in the last 2 years, you could help a family member or friend by being their qualified supervising driver. A learner driver needs to complete 75 hours of supervised driving with a qualified supervising driver.

  • As a qualified supervising driver, be calm, encouraging, and offer advice when needed. Make sure you know the road rules, and know how to drive safely in all road conditions. Be sure you're able to concentrate fully on helping your learner driver.
  • As a supervising driver, the best thing you can give your learner is lots of on-road experience in different driving conditions on different roads.
  • As a supervising driver, if you or your learner driver are tired or stressed, put off the session. You'll both perform better if you’re relaxed and friendly.
  • As a supervising driver, plan your driving sessions. Move from simpler driving to more demanding situations. Start on quiet streets and slowly progress to busier roads before driving at night and at higher speeds.
  • As a supervising driver, don't criticise mistakes. Discuss the task and try again. If things get tense, take a break.
  • It's a big responsibility to be somebody's qualified supervising driver, but it's a great chance to help someone you care about become a safe driver.