Route Directions

It very much goes without saying that during your lessons you will have to provide your student with directions s to where you would like them to go.  The best way to do this is to know where you are going your self and understand for yourself what it is you will be asking of the learner driver.

Have you ever needed to go somewhere with someone else driving and had to give directions on the move?  How did it go?  Have you ever had to direct someone, maybe from memory or a map around an area you were unfamiliar with?  How did that go?  Or, have you ever had directions given to you by someone who, frankly, didn't seem to have any idea as to where they were going?

 The key to giving good route directions is to know your route, what is the purpose of the journey, the drivers ability and  the timing of your directions.  As a trainee driving instructor the help and support of your family and friends is very important.  Here is a subject where they may be able to help you.  Next time you go out, shopping for example, go a different way, don't plan it just do it.  Continue having your normal conversations as you go but remember to give direction.  Then on the following occasion do the same again, this time have a planned or even a usual route, still give directions, even if the driver is aware of where they are going.  Remind them that this is purely for your "talking in car" training, and don't forget to thank them.  Once you have completed each journey write a few notes and compare the journeys, how did you do? Which one was easier etc.

Even for experienced driving instructors route direction can be a bit of a challenge, this is normally down to lack of preparation, route knowledge or simply bad timing.  As we progress through the course we will come back to route directions time and time again.  As we move on to lesson planning later in the course you will see how good planning of training areas and an understanding of your learner drivers abilities will play an invaluable contribution to giving high quality route directions.