Further tuition for 17yr old just passed test

Factor25

I am looking for some extra help for my son now he's passed, other than pass plus. Its mainly for safety reasons rather than reducing the insurance premiums. I am thinking along the lines of something with ROSPA but any recommendations would be a great help.

WestonDave

Try the institute of Advanced Motorists - they pair you with a trained "observer" who will train you to be looking out for danger etc. You do a number of drives with the observer with them commenting on your driving - one part of it is to drive along giving a commentary on all you see and are factoring into your driving - e.g. kid with ball - may drop ball and run out therefore ready to brake if necessary. Eventually you get to take a test with an examiner - in my wifes case it was the local police drivers examiner which technically meant that if she broke the speed limit during her test he had to book her :eek:

Not sure what the costs are now but it was very reasonable and some insurers will give you credit for it.

Jorgan_2

As well as WestonDave's advice, speak to your local police station they may run schemes or have qualified instructors that can help. I always found 'Roadcraft' the police driver training manual an enlightening read. It explains a lot about road positioning for corners etc. Also check with the driving instructor, they may know of someone who will be able to provide advanced tuition, the instructor I trained with knew an ex-police instructor who taught me more in a couple of hours than anybody else.

If you have a motor racing/go karting circuit close by they may well offer skid pan training, very worth while.

Bob63

1) Immediately put him through a PassPlus course.
http://www.passplus.org.uk/

2) In a year's time once he has some experience sign him up for the IAM's Skills For Life program. For £85 you get all your training, a great book and the exam fee. It is money well spent and will definitely improve his driving.
http://www.iam.org.uk/eshop/membershipshop/sfl.htm

Mike

Jorgan_2

A good way of finding out how much info your 17 year old is taking in while driving is to get them to provide a running commentary of what is going on around them & what they are doing in relation to the information they receiving. Let them build up steadily, don't expect to much too soon.

You can start with them commenting on some of the following; the on coming traffic & the traffic behind them, what road signs they are passing & their position on the road.

If they are approaching a line of stationery cars on their side of the road the could say something like ' approaching parked cars on left hand side, checking rear view mirror, indicating (if necessary) pulling into centre of road, axle check (don't expect this one too soon - basically involves looking under the parked cars for peoples feet, pushchair wheels etc so you have as much advanced warning of what might happen) passing parked cars providing enough room in case door opens, I have passed the obstacle, checking rear view mirrors & returning to the correct position on the road.' Or when approaching a right hand bend 'approaching right hand bend, checking mirror, positioning my self to the left hand side of my lane to give me a better sight line thru the bend, braking & selecting the correct gear (if necessary) clear of bend, checking rear view mirror, repositioning myself in lane, accelerating (if necessary).

It only costs a couple of quid in fuel & is a great way to see what they have really learnt.