How to Teach Someone to Drive a Car | Pass a Road Test Smart

We at Smart Drive Test would like to thank all the Moms, Dads, Uncles, Aunts, family members and friends that take on the task of helping a new driver learn how to drive and get his/her licence.

First, in most countries in the world, a new driver is going to be part of the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP). This program is a two-phase licensing program and moves to reduce the risks associated with young drivers. The two phases are the Learner and novice phases.

The learner phase is that which a mentor is going to be involved. This phase of the learning is usually one calendar year. During that phase there are restrictions imposed on the new driver:

1) Must be accompanied by an experience driver
2) ‘0’ blood alcohol
3) no electronic devices
4) passenger restrictions
5) no night driving

First and foremost, when teaching a new driver, you are not teaching that driver to driver; rather, you are helping that driver to pass a road test. If you can dispense with the notion that you are helping a new driver learn how to drive, the task that you are going to take on is going to be easier and probably less frustrating.

As well, know that most drivers are “social drivers”! They drive:

• above the posted speed limit;
• do not come to a complete stop at STOP signed intersections;
• do not stop at the correct position at STOP signed intersections;
• stop too close to other vehicles in traffic;
• and do not use signals effectively

to list a few.

For a licence test, new drivers must follow all the rules and procedures that make up a specific skill set required to pass a licence test.

For the purposes of a road test, there a four main skills:

1) observation
2) communication
3) speed management
3) space management

These fundamental skills are open to a degree of discretion on the part of a driving examiner.

Finally, please stay cool; in other words do not yell at the learning driver – no matter what goes awry. If the situation is terse, or you are frustrated, please take a break.
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[therealsocialgadfly]

Yours is the most articulate, and useful, video on YT for mentoring a new driver. Thank you so much for this.

Also, where on the website can I sign up for the guide on mentoring new drivers?

[MsKrissySoSweet]

I lost my cool yesterday. It was too much for me to handle. I must rebuild my daughter's confidence.

[FeliciaNicoleLovesBooks]

Lol my mom yells at me when I make a mistake and I start crying because she tells me that I am not ready to drive...I have learned to just relax and breathe

[nerissaBee]

Thank you for emphasizing what the new driver (my son in this case) is experiencing. I especially appreciate the hazard perception skill. This was to the point, simple to understand. Wish me luck with getting my teenager to be best prepared.

[bluntie]

Its happening Im taking deep breaths sons first lesson. This helped immensley.

[jimhamel]

Thank you for this. I'm teaching my daughter to drive and she is starting from scratch. I'm a calmat teaching her but good to hear your tips and tricks.

[michaellechmanik]

I was asked this morning by the mother of a girl that I give tennis lessons to if I would instruct her daughter. Your channel was the first I watched and I am glad that I did. I will keep you informed about her progress. Thanks so much....

[Danthemanfromny]

Wow! What a great job he does at discussing teaching driving.

[jesawalker]

It is actually true when he said they will learn to drive after they pass the road test. I had to wait 9 months after getting my driver's license to have my own car and although I had some practice from my permit. I didn't technically learn to drive until I had my license and own car.

[CookiePanda]

Thank you sooo very much for taking your time to make this vdo and help speak our mind. We new drivers really do need to send this message to our super experienced social driver. Easy things that our mentors take for granted like some maneuvers can be complicated for us and yes we do need time!! I kept nodding while watching this vdo, yes, I got yelled at A LOT haha. I still remember I was freaked out when I was forced (lured) to take the interstate free way for the first time (at the speed limit of 70mph). I was not ready. You couldn´t imagine what was happening up there. :P

[drivewaygarage]

It takes a lot of patience, I taught my wife and stepson and they are from the Philippines

[NobleTenz]

GOD Rick! THIS VIDEO IS SO CRUCIAL AND coming from a certified instructor means a lot! I WISH I FOUND THIS VIDEO SOONER! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[ali]

My wife had never drive, and I'm teaching her is so hard when I yelled on her because I want her get learned fast but she always forget what I show her in this week and starting over and over again

[shannonp]

As I’m teaching my son currently, I find myself quizzing him by asking “where are the possible hazards?” Where he’ll tell me what he thinks could go wrong, where it’s most likely that a problem could come from (ie: as we’re passing parking lot enterence/exits, side streets, cars parked on the street, ppl walking between cars, parked cars doors opening, blind spots, blind hills, corners… etc.) Just trying to get him to think in advance. And it’s kind of a fun game to take some tension out of things for him.

I’m also trying to get him to turn his head. I notice he’s a bit tense and doesn’t move his head so reminding him to scan his surroundings is helping remind him to relax. He’s really doing well. Thanks for the tips!

[rockybalboa]

Not yelling is sometimes hard to do. In teaching my 18 year old son how to drive he was obviously not paying attention and going to go right through a red light. I said, "stop" but he continued and at that point I had to yell "STOP" or else he would have went right through the red light. Any suggestions on how to deal with those types of situations better?

[earlguillory]

Rick:
Great video. I'm just getting started with my 17 - year old daughter. I teach in a tech college, so I know I don't know and am glad I found your channel! I will keep you posted!

[JVerschueren]

I dated a driving instructor for some time and, while I thought she would really be analysing my driving and pointing out areas of improvement, she admitted to not really paying attention to my driving at all and, actually, only, inadvertantly, intervening when I was about to take a different route than she had in mind, for which she profusely apologised.

[jameswilliams]

“That oh crap hand” 😂😂 so true. Very informative. Thank you!

[vickienole]

Been teaching an international college student. Great video! I'm proud to say, He graduated 25mph. Stepping up to 35 this week🤞

[MAGAISKLAN]

Teaching my teen daughter how to drive...really appreciate this guidance!